Essanay Studios, Film production company in Uptown, Chicago, United States.
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company operated from a large facility at 1333-45 W. Argyle Street, with multiple filming stages and production offices for motion pictures.
Founded in 1907 by George Kirke Spoor and Gilbert M. Anderson, the studio produced over 1,400 films during its decade of operation in Chicago.
The studio employed numerous actors who became major stars, including Gloria Swanson, Wallace Beery, and Charlie Chaplin, who created 14 comedy films there.
The Chicago location included both indoor filming stages with advanced lighting systems and an outdoor daylight studio for different production requirements.
The studio's first film, 'An Awful Skate,' featuring Ben Turpin, generated thousands in revenue against a production cost of several hundred dollars.
Location: Chicago
Inception: 1907
Founders: George Kirke Spoor, Broncho Billy Anderson
Industry: filmmaking
Address: 1333-45 W. Argyle St.
GPS coordinates: 41.97250,-87.66389
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:48
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