American Motion Picture Corporation
From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum
Compiled by
Logoarto
Logoarto
Background
The American Motion Picture Corporation (AMPC) was an early American film distribution company. Founded and led by businessman William H. Barr, the corporation acquired assets from various independent film studios with the stated aim of promoting Barr’s interpretation of American values, which notably included a staunch anti-union stance. Instead of distributing its films through conventional theatrical channels, the AMPC focused on reaching audiences in churches, schools, and civic organizations. This strategy, combined with Barr's association with the Church Motion Picture Corporation, raised concerns among labor organizations, which feared that the AMPC's productions would be used to criticize organized labor. However, the AMPC’s catalog proved to be varied in scope, featuring films ranging from the scenic Annabell Lee to Bolshevism on Trial, the latter based on a novel by Thomas Dixon, a prominent supporter of the Ku Klux Klan and advocate for anti-socialist themes.[1]
Although the AMPC did not create a unified body of political propaganda, its distribution model indirectly contributed to the preservation of early American films. By distributing films outside of traditional theaters and making numerous copies available to non-theatrical venues, the AMPC increased the likelihood of these works surviving in private collections or regional archives. This approach proved significant, as many major studios discarded their silent film catalogs over time. Through AMPC’s unconventional distribution, numerous early films have resurfaced and been preserved, providing modern audiences with access to rare pieces of American film history.[1]
Logo (1924)
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Visuals: A painting of a bald eagle with its wings spread open is seen. Overlaid is the following text:
CORPORATION
WILLIAM H. BARR. PRESIDENT
presents
Technique: A still painting filmed by a cameraman.
Audio: None.
Availability: This logo is seen on a 1924 re-release of Alice in Wonderland.
