Viola
Dana, the next big Edison star, could not match the poularity
of Mary Pickford nor could any Edison comedy compete with the
Chaplin shorts which were sweeping all before them.1
SIDEBAR
THE END EDISON'S MOTION PICTURE BUSINESS
The dissolution the Motion Picture Patents Company in
1913 led more crowded and competitive movie industry. Edison pictures had their own
stars who were taken from the Broadway stage, such Mary
Fuller. 1912 TAE Inc was making over 150 short films per
annum. The average cost Edison movies had moved the
. 1909 might cost about $200 make one reel
feature, with the more expensive multi-reelers reaching $2,000
per film. The Edison
company was against the star system not much because cost
too much money but rather that the organization put higher
value technical excellence. The
trust (as the MPPC was called) and its short program films had
had their day, and now was the turn the longer movie that
told compelling story.
Longer movies with big name stars rapidly forced up
costs.'*’ Yet Mary left
to get more money the large film production companies who
were paying higher wages film actors and actresses. America took the movies heart,
America's favorites became stars. She was big hit with her "What Happened Mary"
adventures which were the first serial pictures
