The Hollywood Studio System of the 1930s-1950s saw six major studios tightly control film production, distribution, and exhibition. Studios owned theaters and had actors under long-term contracts. This vertical integration allowed studios to maximize profits through block booking. However, antitrust laws in the late 1940s ended this system by banning contracts and integration. Increased television competition in the 1950s further weakened studios. Today's Hollywood is organized around occasional blockbuster films made by independent directors and producers, though major studios still dominate production and distribution globally through extensive marketing budgets and existing brands.

1. The Hollywood Studio System 1930’s - 1950’s