Oral Histories

Interview of W. W. Hodkinson

President of Paramount Pictures and founder of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation. Founder of the airplane manufacturing businesses Hodkinson Aviation Corporation and Central American Aviation Corporation/Companía Nacional de Aviación.
Subtitle:
Pioneer Film Distributor
Series:
Z: Orphan Interviews pre 1999
Topic:
Film and Television
Biographical Note:
President of Paramount Pictures and founder of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation. Founder of the airplane manufacturing businesses Hodkinson Aviation Corporation and Central American Aviation Corporation/Companía Nacional de Aviación.
Interviewer:
Dixon, Elizabeth I.
Interviewee:
Hodkinson, W. W.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Abstract:
Early career in formative stages of film industry; operating first motion picture theater in United States, Chicago, 1908; distribution of films and formation of national distribution company for quality motion pictures, 1915; participation in organization of Paramount Pictures; formation of own distribution company, W. W. Hodkinson Corporation, after being voted out of presidency of Paramount Pictures; retirement from film industry, 1927; involvement in aircraft industry; design of trimotor airplane; testing trimotor plane; consulting with Charles Lindbergh; production of Hodkinson plane; operation of airline in Guatemala, 1932-36; recommendations to Federal Communications Commission for form of pay-TV to combine motion picture and television industries.