United States Motion Picture Corporation
| Company type | Independent film studio |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founded | March 2, 1915 in New Jersey, United States |
| Founder | James O. Walsh, Fred W. Hermann, Daniel L. Hart |
| Defunct | 1919 |
| Headquarters | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | United States (East Coast) |
Key people | James O. Walsh (president), Fred W. Hermann (vice president), Daniel L. Hart (treasurer and scenario editor) |
| Products | One-reel silent comedic films (Black Diamond Comedies, Unique Comedies, Rainbow Comedies) |
The United States Motion Picture Corporation was an early independent American film studio that specialized in producing comedic shorts on the East Coast of the United States. Functioning during the era before Hollywood's studio system became dominant, it created one-reel silent films in the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania region from 1916 through 1919.
Business history
Formally established in New Jersey on March 2, 1915, USMPC set up its headquarters in the Savoy Building located in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Its production facilities were situated across the Susquehanna River in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, specifically on Slocum Street near Wyoming Avenue. Completed by summer 1915, the studio was constructed using glass and steel to optimize the use of natural daylight for filming purposes.
The company was founded by James O. Walsh as president, Fred W. Hermann as vice president, and Daniel L. Hart serving as treasurer and scenario editor. Hart was an acclaimed playwright who later held the office of mayor of Wilkes-Barre from 1920 until his passing in 1933.
Black Diamond Comedies
Between October 2, 1916, and November 12, 1917, USMPC produced a series of twenty-seven Black Diamond Comedies. The "Black Diamond" title was a nod to the anthracite coal that fueled economic prosperity in the region. These one-reel silent comedic films marked Paramount Pictures' initial foray into comedy releases; Paramount aggressively marketed them throughout 1917 alongside prominent figures such as Fatty Arbuckle. A recurring character named Susie, portrayed by USMPC's leading actress Leatrice Joy, featured prominently as she encountered various humorous predicaments. Promotional materials emphasized pioneering comedic techniques including stop-action and variable film speeds.
Following the conclusion of its agreement with Paramount in 1917, USMPC produced an additional six one-reel comedies under the Unique Comedies banner, which were distributed by New York’s Arrow Film Company. Among these was His Neglected Wife, starring Leatrice Joy alongside other familiar performers.
Additionally, USMPC created Rainbow Comedies—one-reel humorous shorts released by General Film Company during 1918 and 1919—frequently starring Lillian Vera and Eddie Boulden and directed by Joseph A. Richmond.
Company end
Film production by the United States Motion Picture Corporation came to a halt in 1919. Subsequently, its Forty Fort studios were utilized by the Serico Company to produce the serial A Woman in Grey in 1920.
Black Diamond Comedies
- Nearly A Deserter (Paramount Pictures, October 2, 1916)
- Bridget’s Blunder (Paramount Pictures, October 16, 1916)
- A Troublesome Trip (Paramount Pictures, October 20, 1916)
- Villainous Pursuit (Paramount Pictures, November 13, 1916)
- Their Counterfeit Vacation (Paramount Pictures, November 27, 1916)
- His Ivory Dome (Paramount Pictures, December 11, 1916)
- Their Week-end (Paramount Pictures, December 25, 1916)
- Braving Blazes (Paramount Pictures, January 8, 1917)
- He Did It Himself (Paramount Pictures, January 22, 1917)
- Her Scrambled Ambition (Paramount Pictures, February 1, 1917)
- All at Sea (Paramount Pictures, February 6, 1917)
- Speed (Paramount Pictures, March 5, 1917)
- The Magic Vest (Paramount Pictures, March 19, 1917)
- The Wishbone (Paramount Pictures, April 16,1917)
- Getting the Evidence (Paramount Pictures, April 21, 1917)
- Her Iron Will (Paramount Pictures, April 30, 1917)
- The Window Dresser’s Dream (Paramount Pictures, May 14, 1917)
- Susie of the Follies (Paramount Pictures, May 28, 1917)
- Her Fractured Voice (Paramount Pictures, June 11, 1917)
- Auto Intoxication (Paramount Pictures, June 25, 1917)
- Wits and Fits (Paramount Pictures, July 9, 1917)
- The Rejuvenator (Paramount Pictures, July 23, 1917)
- Susie the Sleepwalker (Paramount Pictures, August 6, 1917)
- Susie’s Scheme (Paramount Pictures, September 17, 1917)
- Susie Slips One Over (Paramount Pictures, October 7, 1917)
- Nearly a Baker (Paramount Pictures, October 15, 1917)
- A Society Scrimmage (Paramount Pictures, November 12, 1917)
Unique Comedies
- His Neglected Wife
Rainbow Comedies
- My Lady’s Slipper
- Nearly a Slacker
- Some Judge
- How She Hated Men
- The Camouflaged Baby
- The Pipe of Peace
- Hooverizing
Existing Films
Among the productions by the United States Motion Picture Corporation, three titles have survived: the Black Diamond Comedies Her Fractured Voice and Susie Slips One Over, along with the Unique Comedies release His Neglected Wife.
The Prelinger Archives has digitized and made accessible online their copy of Her Fractured Voice, which showcases scenes from downtown Wilkes-Barre, including the original fountain located in Public Square.
Copies of Susie Slips One Over are preserved at the UCLA Film and Television Archive, while a promotional poster is held by the Margaret Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2012, UCLA provided a DVD version of this film to the Luzerne County Historical Society archive in Wilkes-Barre.
Only a single surviving print from Unique Comedies is known: His Neglected Wife, featuring Leatrice Joy. This print was uncovered in a vault in New Zealand and underwent restoration at George Eastman House in 2010. The film contains footage of Wilkes-Barre’s historic Hotel Sterling, which was demolished in 2013. The restoration was supported by historian Charles Petrillo, who also arranged for a DVD copy to be housed at the Luzerne County Historical Society for research purposes.
Modern Film Presentations
On October 26, 2012, King's College partnered with the Luzerne County Historical Society to present a screening event featuring the films Her Fractured Voice, His Neglected Wife, and Flesh and Spirit. This event took place in King's College Burke Auditorium and included live musical accompaniment.