What was the purpose of the Studio System in Hollywood?

The Studio System in Hollywood was primarily established to control all aspects of filmmaking, which includes production, distribution, and exhibition. This system allowed major studios to manage the entire filmmaking process, from the initial development of a script to the marketing and showing of the movie in theaters. By having control over the various stages of production, studios could ensure consistency and efficiency, streamline operations, and maintain a stable financial return on their investments.

Under this model, studios would sign actors, directors, and other crew members to exclusive contracts, effectively restricting their work to the studio's output and enabling the studios to create a loyal base of stars who would consistently bring in audiences. This control extended to all creative elements as well, leading to a system where studios dictated the types of films that were made and how they were marketed.

This level of control also encompassed the influence over the relationship between studios and theaters, where both the studio and the exhibition side were tightly intertwined, often limiting the presence of independent films. These dynamics allowed the studios to wield significant power over the film industry and govern its direction during the Golden Age of Hollywood.