In my day, the only people who achieved real independence were my father, Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin, who, with D. W. Griffith, formed United Artists. Other than that, everybody belonged to the big studios. They had no say in their own careers.

In this quote, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. reflects on the early days of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, emphasizing how a few key figures achieved real independence from the big studios. He mentions his father, Mary Pickford, Charles Chaplin, and D. W. Griffith, who were pioneers in independent filmmaking and co-founded the production company United Artists. Fairbanks highlights that these individuals managed to take control of their own careers and artistic decisions, which was rare at the time. In contrast, most other actors and filmmakers were beholden to the major studio system, which limited their freedom and autonomy.

The origin of this statement comes from Fairbanks’s observations of the early film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood. During this time, actors, directors, and producers were often under contract to large studios like MGM, Warner Bros., and Paramount, which controlled all aspects of their careers. They had little to no control over their roles, contracts, or creative output. The formation of United Artists in 1919 by Fairbanks, Pickford, Chaplin, and Griffith marked a major turning point in the industry, as it allowed them to retain control over their projects and profits, paving the way for greater independence in filmmaking.

Fairbanks’s words reflect his belief that the true independence in the industry was achieved by those few who took the bold step of breaking away from the studio system. He suggests that the rest of Hollywood’s talent had limited agency, as they were subject to the control of the major studios, which dictated their professional lives. This contrast highlights the impact of United Artists, a company founded on the principle of creative freedom and self-determination in filmmaking.

Ultimately, the quote underscores how the early years of the film industry were dominated by a studio system that dictated much of the careers of its stars, with only a few individuals managing to achieve independence and a greater degree of control over their work. Fairbanks’s recollection reflects the shift in Hollywood toward artist-driven production and the legacy of United Artists as a symbol of autonomy in the entertainment industry.