The Thanhouser Company, formed by Edwin Thanhouser in New Rochelle, New York in 1909 with his actress wife Gertrude Thanhouser, thrived during the turbulent era when silent cinema evolved from short films to features, the first movie stars were minted, and the center of American filmmaking relocated from New York to California. By the time it closed down in 1918, it had produced over 1,000 shorts, features and serials. According to film historian Q. David Bowers, Thanhouser accounted for 25% of the independent films made in the United States at the peak of its success, and Edwin and his creative team evolved remarkably quickly as filmmakers. They brought the dramatic qualities of theater to the screen as they all found their way into moviemaking, they lavished attention on elaborate film sets in their roomy studio, and they took their cameras on location. The resulting films were vibrant and lively, with often complex stories, dynamic staging, and creative camera angles and lighting. The Thanhouser brand was a recognized mark of quality to audiences and distributors alike and a century later, the Thanhouser brand still stands for high production values, sensitive direction, intelligent stories, and fluid, energetic storytelling.

By Sean Axmaker