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Bison Film Company

From Alfawiki
Bison Film Company
Company typeFilm studio
IndustryFilm production
Founded1909
Defunct1917
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
Area served
United States
ProductsSilent Western films

Bison Film Company, sometimes referred to as 101 Bison Film Company, was a United States-based film studio established in 1909 and operating until 1917. Located in Los Angeles, the studio focused primarily on silent Western genres. It formed a strategic alliance with the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, securing a lease on 20,000 acres to construct genuine Western town and Native American village sets. This arrangement facilitated the creation of well-received films starring prominent actors such as Tom Mix, Buck Jones, Hoot Gibson, and Will Rogers.

Among its notable works was The Indian Massacre (1912), directed by Thomas H. Ince, alongside a series of Western titles including The Indian Raiders, Early Days in the West, Hunted Down, and A Daughter of the Redskins. The company sustained steady film production throughout 1913 and 1915, releasing movies like In Love and War, Woman and War, and Lone Larry, featuring Kingsley Benedict. These projects helped Bison secure a significant position in the early Western film market prior to its assets being absorbed by Universal Film Manufacturing Company.

1909

1910

1911

1912

  • Under Thomas H. Ince’s direction, important releases included dramatic Western tales such as: A Mexican Tragedy, Chinese Smugglers, and The Gambler's Heart, highlighting intense storytelling in frontier environments.
  • Other key films from this year were The Laugh on Dad, The Honor of the Tribe, War on the Plains, and The Deserter.
  • The production roster expanded through collaborations with directors like Francis Ford, Reginald Barker, Wallace Reid, and Otis Turner.
  • The company maintained a strong foothold in the market by producing numerous short films aimed at audiences captivated by Western and Native American themes.

1913

  • The studio continued producing Westerns and historical dramas including significant titles such as Sheridan's Ride, directed by Otis Turner; Mona of the Modocs, under Frank Montgomery’s direction; and The Battle of Bull Run, helmed by Francis Ford.
  • Films like The Spirit of the Flag, In Love and War, and Women and War, all directed by Allan Dwan, illustrate a shift toward patriotic subject matter.
  • To sustain high output levels, the company engaged directors including Henry MacRae, Jack Conway, and J. Farrell MacDonald.
  • Expanding beyond Western themes, productions such as Robinson Crusoe, directed by Otis Turner, demonstrate ventures into adventure genres.

1914

  • Significant releases included Old California, The Triumph of Mind directed by Lois Weber, and The Forbidden Room, under the direction of Allan Dwan.
  • The studio continued producing a diverse array of short films centered on themes such as frontier life, espionage exemplified by A Mexican Spy in America, and adventure, including Cast Adrift in the South Seas.
  • Directors Henry MacRae, Charles Giblyn, and Murdock MacQuarrie played vital roles in sustaining a varied content portfolio.
  • The production lineup also featured patriotic shorts like A Nation's Peril (1914), which reinforced the company's market position during the wartime period.


1915

  • Notable films from this year include Custer's Last Scout, Ridgeway of Montana, and The Toll of the Sea, directed by Henry MacRae.
  • The company broadened its genre offerings by incorporating jungle-themed adventures such as Terrors of the Jungle alongside melodramatic works like Jane's Declaration of Independence.
  • Collaborations with directors Wilfred Lucas and Francis Ford contributed to elevating overall production standards.
  • The 1915 film slate illustrates a deliberate strategy to diversify content in response to shifting audience tastes, aimed at fostering continued business expansion.


1916

  • Key productions comprised Across the Rio Grande, directed by George Marshall; Behind the Curtain, under Henry Otto’s direction; and Behind the Mask, helmed by Francis Ford.
  • The studio maintained a strong output across multiple genres including Westerns, dramas, and action films, with creative input from Jacques Jaccard, Ben F. Wilson, Romaine Fielding, and Jay Hunt.
  • Films like For Love of a Girl, featuring Harry Carey’s direction, highlight ongoing efforts to leverage star appeal for market advantage.
  • Short films such as Along the Malibu, co-directed by Cleo Madison, supported a content diversification strategy targeting varied audience segments.


1917

  • Production highlights encompassed titles like Blood Money, directed by Fred Kelsey; Brute Force, under A.W. Rice; and The Comeback, directed by George Marshall.
  • John Ford made significant contributions with short films including The Tornado and The Soul Herder, boosting the company’s prestige through his developing directorial approach.
  • The 1917 lineup reflects adaptive leadership responding to wartime market conditions, featuring works such as One Wild Night and Dropped from the Clouds, both directed by Henry MacRae.
  • The collection balances action-driven features with dramatic narratives, supporting steady business performance throughout this era.
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