Mutual Film

Mutual Film Corporation was an early American motion picture conglomerate best remembered today as the producers of some of Charlie Chaplin's greatest comedies. It originated with the Western Film Exchange founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in July 1906 by Wisconsin natives John R. Freuler (1872-1958), Harry E. Aitken (1877-1956) and Roy Aitken (1882-1976). In 1910, Freuler would also form a partnership with Chicago film distributor Samuel S. Hutchinson known as the American Film Manufacturing Company. In March 1912, the company acquired Thanhouser Studios, naming Charles J. Hite, who was Hutchinson's partner in Chicago and acquired some studio stock, helping the studio make the Thanhouser purchase. He served as the company's president....