Studio-owned theater chains and block-booking practices (1920s–1948)

1. Paramount begins building a major theater network

   Jan 1, 1917Labels: Adolph Zukor, Paramount Pictures, Theater network

   • Zukor

2. Studios expand block booking as a standard practice

   Jan 1, 1920Labels: Major studios, Block booking

   • Block booking

3. FTC files case against Famous Players–Lasky

   Aug 30, 1921Labels: Federal Trade, Famous Players

   • Famous Players

4. Paramount and others broaden vertically integrated control

   Jan 1, 1925Labels: Big Five, First-run theaters

   • Studio system
   • Plitt Theatres

5. FTC orders Paramount’s predecessor to stop block booking

   Jul 9, 1927Labels: Federal Trade, Block booking

   • Famous Players
   • SIMPP archive

6. U.S. government sues major distributors over contracts

   Oct 15, 1929Labels: U S, Paramount Famous

   • Justia 1929

7. DOJ files the Paramount antitrust lawsuit

   Jul 30, 1938Labels: Department of, Paramount case

   • Christensen v Paramount

8. Studios agree to 1940 consent decree limiting practices

   Nov 20, 1940Labels: Consent decree, Major studios

   • Justia 1951
   • Block booking

9. SIMPP forms to push back against studio control

   Jan 1, 1941Labels: SIMPP, Independent producers

   • SIMPP archive

10. Federal court rules studios’ trade restraints are illegal

    Jan 11, 1946Labels: Federal district, Trade restraints

    • Justia 1946

11. Supreme Court bans key practices in Paramount decision

    May 3, 1948Labels: United States, Supreme Court

    • Justia 334 U
    • DOJ overview

12. Paramount signs decree requiring separation and divestiture

    Mar 3, 1949Labels: Paramount decree, Divestiture

    • DOJ overview
    • Christensen v Paramount