American Film Manufacturing Company

American Film Company

File:Flyingalogo.jpg The Flying A emblem
Formerly	American Film Manufacturing Company
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1910
Founders	Harry Aitken John Freuler Charles J. Hite Samuel S. Hutchinson
Defunct	1921
Headquarters	Santa Barbara, California , US

The American Film Manufacturing Company, also recognized as Flying “A” Studios, was a significant American entity in the motion picture production sector. In 1915, it adopted the name American Film Company.

History

Established in Chicago in 1910 by business figures Samuel S. Hutchinson, John R. Freuler, Charles J. Hite, and Harry Aitken, the enterprise operated three separate production divisions. Two were based near Chicago, while the third specialized in westerns and moved through New Mexico and Arizona before settling in California to benefit from more favorable climate conditions and to circumvent restrictions imposed by the Motion Picture Patents Company.

The western division initially functioned near La Mesa, California from August 1911 until July 1912, shooting films in various locations around San Diego. Under the direction of Allan Dwan, Flying "A" produced over 150 titles there—mainly westerns and comedies—significantly enhancing the company’s market presence and promotional reach.

In July 1912, the studio at La Mesa was closed as production shifted to Santa Barbara to better access urban settings. Simultaneously, the Chicago studio ceased operations, although corporate offices remained in that city. From 1912 through 1917, Flying "A" Studios expanded to become one of the largest film studios in the United States, positioning Santa Barbara as a filmmaking center that rivaled Hollywood.

The company's strategy leveraged popular western themes combined with advantageous geographic placement to strengthen its position within the early motion picture industry.

Contract players and directors

Founded in 1910, the American Film Company attracted talent from Essanay Studios, a member of the Motion Picture Patents Company network. Distinguished directors and writers associated with the company included Frank Beal, John Francis Dillon, Allan Dwan, B. Reeves Eason, Lorimer Johnston, Arthur Maude, Harry A. Pollard, Tom Ricketts, Edward Sloman, and William Desmond Taylor. In 1913, Wallace Reid directed several society-themed dramas for the studio.

Its roster of leading actors featured names such as May Allison, Constance Crawley, Dot Farley, Margarita Fischer, Neva Gerber, Winifred Greenwood, Mary Miles Minter, Vivian Rich, Art Acord, Richard Bennett, Frank Borzage (who also directed), J. Warren Kerrigan, Harold Lockwood, George Periolat, William Russell, and William Stowell.

Demise

The American Film Company faced a major setback in 1918 when its chief distributor, Mutual Film, ceased operations, which adversely affected its business model and financial health. Subsequently, it entered into a distribution agreement with Pathé; however, production output declined sharply over the following three years. By 1921, after leading contract star Margarita Fischer left the company, it was dissolved soon afterward.

The "Flying A Pictures" name was later revived by actor-producer Gene Autry for his own production enterprise.

Bibliography

• Birchard, Robert S. Filmmaking during the Silent Era in Santa Barbara, Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, circa 2007. .
• Lyons, Timothy J. The Silent Partner: A History of the American Film Manufacturing Company, 1910–1921, New York: Arno Press, 1974 [originally 1972]. .
• Slide, Anthony. A Historical Dictionary of the American Film Industry. New York: Limelight Editions, 1990. p. 17. .
• Tompkins, Walker A. Notable Figures in Santa Barbara History. McNally & Loftin, Santa Barbara. 1983. .

External links

• The Flying A: Silent Film in Santa Barbara