International Film Service
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation |
| Founded | 1915 |
| Founder | William Randolph Hearst |
| Defunct | 1918 |
| Fate | Closed due to financial difficulties; properties licensed to other studios |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | William Randolph Hearst (producer), Gregory La Cava (director) |
| Products | Animated films based on comic strips |
International Film Service (IFS) was a United States-based animation studio created to leverage the widespread appeal of comic strips owned by media magnate William Randolph Hearst.
Although the names are similar, the California-based "Hearst News" IFS is a separate entity from the New York-based "International Film Service Company, Inc."
History
In 1914, Hearst expanded his International News Service wire service by launching International Picture Service to produce newsreels, a pioneering concept at the time. Building upon this foundation, he established International Film Service (IFS) in 1915 with the purpose of transforming his most popular comic strip characters into animated "living comic strips" shown after newsreels. These animations were designed to enhance newspaper sales, reflecting the influence of the original comics. The success of former Hearst cartoonists such as Winsor McCay, George McManus, and Bud Fisher—with their animated adaptations of "Little Nemo", The Newlyweds, and Mutt and Jeff respectively—likely encouraged this initiative.
To attract premier talent, Hearst offered competitive compensation and appointed Gregory La Cava, previously affiliated with Barré Studio, as supervisor and credited director for all IFS productions. IFS stood out for acknowledging directors and animators explicitly, which was uncommon during that era. Among the principal animators were William Nolan and Frank Moser, both renowned for their rapid work pace. Additionally, Hearst enlisted Raoul Barré, leader of another animation studio, to animate the initial series and mentor new employees.
IFS simultaneously launched eight different series, made possible by La Cava’s exceptional management abilities; however, this extensive output affected overall quality. Their cartoons maintained a "living comic strip" aesthetic characterized by limited movement and speech balloons replacing traditional intertitles, which diminishes their visual impact by modern standards. Nevertheless, IFS introduced the lasting Krazy Kat series and provided early career opportunities for future animation pioneers including Vernon Stallings, Walter Lantz, Ben Sharpsteen, Jack King, John Foster, Grim Natwick, Burt Gillett, and Isadore Klein.
The onset of World War I had a detrimental effect on IFS due to Hearst's pro-German sympathies alienating audiences and undermining the credibility of the International News Service. Financial difficulties compelled Hearst to close unprofitable ventures; consequently, IFS employees were dismissed on July 6, 1918—a date now known in animation circles as "Black Monday." Subsequently, Hearst licensed his animated properties to John C. Terry's studio until it ceased operations in 1919, followed by an agreement with competitor Bray Productions from 1919 through 1921. This collaboration concluded in early 1921 with the final IFS cartoons released shortly afterward.
Filmography
- Phables (1915-1916): directed by Gregory La Cava; animation by Raoul Barré
- Joys and Glooms (1916): directed by Gregory La Cava; animated by Frank Moser and Raoul Barré
- Krazy Kat (1916-1917): directed by Gregory La Cava; animation team included Frank Moser, Leon Searl, Bill Nolan, Bert Green, Edward Grinham, Earl Klein, Isadore Klein, Al Rose
- The Katzenjammer Kids (1916-1918): directed by Gregory La Cava; animated by Gregory La Cava, John Foster, George (Vernon) Stallings, Isadore Klein; scripts by H.E. Hancock and Louis De Lorme
- Maud the Mule (1916): directed by Gregory La Cava; animation by Bert Green
- Happy Hooligan (1916-1919): directed by Gregory La Cava; animated by Frank Moser, Bill Nolan, Ben Sharpsteen, Jack King, Isadore Klein, Grim Natwick; scripted by Louis De Lorme
- Jerry on the Job (1916-1917): directed by Gregory La Cava; animated by Will Powers and Walter Lantz; scripts by H.E. Hancock and Louis De Lorme
- Bringing Up Father (1916-1917): directed by Gregory La Cava; animation team included Frank Moser, Bert Green, Edward Grinham, Grim Natwick; written by Louis De Lorme
- Abie the Agent (1917): directed by Gregory La Cava
- Judge Rummy (1918-1919): directed by Gregory La Cava; animated by Gregory La Cava, Grim Natwick, Jack King, Burton Gillett, Frank Moser, and Isadore Klein
- Tad's Indoor Sports (1920-1921): directed by Gregory La Cava; animated by Bill Nolan and Walter Lantz
Distributors
- Vitagraph Studios (1916-1917)
- Pathé (1916-1917)
- Educational Pictures (1918-1919)
- Winkler Pictures (1919-1925)
Staff
- Producers: William Randolph Hearst (1916-1918), John C. Terry (1918-1919)
- Director: Gregory La Cava
- Animators: Raoul Barré, Frank Moser, Leon A. Searl, Bert Green (1916–18), Bill Nolan (1916–18), Edward Grinham, Ben Sharpsteen, Jack King (1920–21), Will Powers, Walter Lantz, John Foster, George (Vernon) Stallings (1916–18), F. M. Follett, Leighton Budd, Hal Coffman, Grim Natwick (1916–18), Burton Gillett, Isadore Klein (1916–18), Earl Klein (1917), Al Rose (1916–17), George Rufle (circa 1916)
- Storywriters: Tom Powers, Louis De Lorme, H. E. Hancock