The Motion Picture Distributing and Sales Company

The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, as well as its subsequent corporate descendants, grew directly from an association of early independent film producers called the Motion Picture Distributing and Sales Company. Organized to combat the Motion Picture Patents Company and its distributing arm, the General Film Company, the Sales Company proved an unwieldy amalgamation of competing independent interests. Through detailed analysis of news coverage in motion picture trade papers, the author discusses the history of the Sales Company (1910-12) and such competing associations as the National Independent Moving Picture Alliance and the Film Service Association.