The End of Hollywood's Golden Age

The golden age in Hollywood came to an end because of a monopoly of production companies like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Universal who were forced to change their ways after a Supreme Court decision. Prior, the group of powerful movie studios known as the "Big Eight" controlled all aspects of filmmaking, including distribution as they controlled movie theater both directly and indirectly. They had the ability to decide when and where any one of their movies could be shown, as well as set admission prices to their liking. This stranglehold on the industry was challenged numerous times, including in 1930 when the courts deemed the studios a trust, and in 1940 when block booking was inhibited. However, the largest decision came in 1948, when the Supreme Court prohibited several qualities of the monopolies, including price-fixing, joint ownership, and block licensing. This change in history was so significant because it opened the door for independent producers and theaters, and this variety changed the evolution of films.