CHESTERFIELD PICTURES

Chesterfield Motion Picture Corporation, commonly known as Chesterfield Pictures, was an American film production company active during the 1920s and 1930s. Led by George R. Batcheller, Chesterfield operated alongside its sister studio, Invincible Pictures Corporation, which was headed by Maury Cohen. Unlike many production companies of its time, Chesterfield did not own its own studio space; instead, it rented facilities primarily from Universal Pictures and RKO.

Business Strategy

Batcheller's target market consisted of neighborhood theaters that were not part of the major studio chains. These smaller theaters typically screened second- or third-run films, as they could not afford to show the newest and most expensive releases. Chesterfield catered to these venues by producing low-budget films that were more affordable for theater owners and could be played as first-run features. This approach was particularly ambitious before the widespread adoption of double features and "B" movies when individual films were the primary attraction in theaters.

Due to budget constraints, Chesterfield could not hire the high-priced stars from major studios. Instead, Batcheller relied on more affordable talent, such as former silent film stars or currently established supporting actors. The studio also employed a small but active group of directors, including Frank R. Strayer, Richard Thorpe, Phil Rosen, and Charles Lamont.

Merger and Legacy

In 1935, Chesterfield was one of several Poverty Row studios acquired by Herbert Yates and merged into his newly established Republic Pictures, aiming to create a studio strong enough to compete with the major players. Republic achieved this goal, remaining a significant force in the film industry for over two decades.

Aftermath

George Batcheller passed away in 1938. In 1941, his son, George R. Batcheller, Jr., became the head of PRC Studios (Producers Releasing Corporation) and applied his father's Chesterfield strategy to the studio's operations.


Selected Films Produced by Chesterfield Pictures

  • "The Midnight Warning" (1932) – A mystery film centered around a woman investigating her brother's sudden disappearance in a hotel.

  • "The Monster Walks" (1932) – A horror film featuring an eerie mansion, a sinister ape, and a series of murders.

  • "A Strange Adventure" (1932) – A crime drama about a young detective who goes undercover to solve a robbery case.

  • "The King Murder" (1932) – A murder mystery that follows the investigation of a nightclub singer’s death.

  • "Cross-Examination" (1932) – A courtroom drama revolving around a young lawyer's attempt to clear his client's name.

  • "The Thirteenth Guest" (1932) – A mystery film involving a gathering where guests are mysteriously murdered.

  • "Tomorrow at Seven" (1933) – A suspense thriller where an amateur sleuth faces off against a serial killer.

  • "The Important Witness" (1933) – A crime film centered on a police detective who must solve a murder with the help of a key witness.

  • "The Woman Condemned" (1934) – A mystery drama that follows a reporter’s efforts to save a woman from a wrongful murder conviction.

  • "Secret Sinners" (1933) – A pre-Code drama about a young woman's entanglement with a wealthy man’s family.

  • "By Appointment Only" (1933) – A romantic drama that explores a doctor's complicated relationships and moral dilemmas.

  • "The Crime of Helen Stanley" (1934) – A mystery film about a murder investigation on a film studio set.

  • "Fugitive Road" (1934) – A romantic drama set against the backdrop of World War I espionage.

  • "The Sin of Nora Moran" (1933) – A film noir drama depicting a woman's tragic life story through flashbacks.

  • "The Curtain Falls" (1934) – A crime drama involving a former theater producer implicated in a murder.

These films highlight Chesterfield Pictures' focus on low-budget dramas, mysteries, and thrillers aimed at smaller, independent theaters.


Chesterfield Pictures Films: 1920s

  • "A Jungle Heroine" (April 1925) – Directed by Bertram Bracken

  • "The Were-Tiger" (May 1925) – Directed by Paul Hurst

  • "The Last Man" (June 1925) – Directed by Bertram Bracken

  • "The Lion's Mate" (July 1925)

  • "A Jungle Tragedy" (August 1925)

  • "Beasts of the Veldt" (September 1925)

  • "The Sagebrush Lady" (October 1, 1925) – Directed by Horace B. Carpenter

  • "Flashing Steeds" (November 1, 1925)

  • "The Girl of the West" (December 1, 1925) – Directed by Alan James

  • "Fangs of Fate" (December 9, 1925) – Directed by Horace B. Carpenter

  • "Lucky Spurs" (1926)

  • "A String of Diamonds" (March 1, 1926) – Directed by Frank S. Mattison

  • "The Love Fighter" (May 1, 1926) – Directed by Lou Carter

  • "Western Trails" (May 15, 1926) – Directed by Horace B. Carpenter

  • "The Wolf" (June 1, 1926) – Directed by Lou Carter

  • "Beyond All Odds" (June 15, 1926) – Directed by Alan James

  • "Detective K-9" (July 1, 1926) – Directed by William Bertram

  • "The Last Chance" (July 15, 1926) – Directed by Horace B. Carpenter

  • "Code of the Northwest" (July 25, 1926) – Directed by Frank S. Mattison

  • "Dumb Romeo" (August 1, 1926) – Directed by Frank S. Mattison

  • "Thundering Speed" (August 15, 1926) – Directed by Alan James

  • "Fangs of Vengeance" (September 1, 1926) – Directed by William Bertram

  • "Beyond the Trail" (September 1926) – Directed by Albert Herman

  • "The Silent Trailer" (October 1, 1926) – Directed by Francis Ford

  • "Dog Scents" (November 1, 1926) – Directed by Francis Ford

  • "Lure of the West" (November 1926) – Directed by Alan James

  • "Dog of Dogs" (December 1, 1926) – Directed by Ernest Van Pelt

  • "The Call of the Wilderness" (December 5, 1926) – Directed by Jack Nelson

  • "Doc's Dog" (January 1, 1927) – Directed by Ernest Van Pelt

  • "Almost Human" (March 1, 1927) – Directed by Robin Williamson

  • "The Thief Trapper" (April 1, 1927)

  • "The Sky Rider" (June 5, 1927) – Directed by Alan James

  • "Avenging Fangs" (June 15, 1928) – Directed by Ernest Van Pelt

  • "The Adorable Cheat" (August 15, 1928) – Directed by Burton L. King

  • "The House of Shame" (October 1, 1928) – Directed by Burton L. King

  • "South of Panama" (November 15, 1928) – Directed by Charles J. Hunt

  • "Below the Deadline" (January 1, 1929) – Directed by J.P. McGowan

  • "Just Off Broadway" (May 1, 1929) – Directed by Frank O'Connor

  • "The Peacock Fan" (March 17, 1929) – Directed by Phil Rosen

  • "Campus Knights" (March 1929) – Directed by Albert H. Kelley

  • "Circumstantial Evidence" (April 1, 1929) – Directed by Wilfred Noy

  • "Silent Sentinel" (May 15, 1929) – Directed by Alan James

  • "The House of Secrets" (May 26, 1929) – Directed by Edmund Lawrence

  • "Love at First Sight" (December 15, 1929) – Directed by Edgar Lewis

Chesterfield Pictures Films: 1930s

  • Ladies in Love – May 15, 1930 – Edgar Lewis

  • The Jazz Cinderella – September 1, 1930 – Scott Pembroke

  • The Midnight Special – December 7, 1930 – Duke Worne

  • The Lawless Woman – May 5, 1931 – Richard Thorpe

  • The Lady from Nowhere – August 1, 1931 – Richard Thorpe

  • Grief Street – October 1, 1931 – Richard Thorpe

  • The Devil Plays – December 15, 1931 – Richard Thorpe

  • Second Chances – March 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • Dangerous Ground – April 1, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • The Midnight Lady – May 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • Forbidden Company – June 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • Beauty Parlor – June 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • Thrill of Youth – August 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • The King Murder – September 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • Slightly Married – October 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • Women Won't Tell – November 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • The Secrets of Wu Sin – December 15, 1932 – Richard Thorpe

  • Forgotten – February 15, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • Love Is Dangerous – March 15, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • I Have Lived – June 15, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • Strange People – June 17, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • By Appointment Only – July 7, 1933 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Notorious But Nice – August 5, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • Dance Girl Dance – September 1, 1933 – Frank R. Strayer

  • A Man of Sentiment – September 15, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • On the Stroke of Nine – October 30, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • In the Money – November 7, 1933 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Twin Husbands – November 30, 1933 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Rainbow Over Broadway – December 1, 1933 – Richard Thorpe

  • Cross Streets – January 22, 1934 – Frank R. Strayer

  • The Quitter – February 5, 1934 – Richard Thorpe

  • Stolen Sweets – March 15, 1934 – Richard Thorpe

  • City Park – May 1, 1934 – Richard Thorpe

  • In Love with Life – May 12, 1934 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Green Eyes – June 15, 1934 – Richard Thorpe

  • Fifteen Wives – July 15, 1934 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Fugitive Road – August 22, 1934 – Frank R. Strayer

  • The Curtain Falls – October 2, 1934 – Charles Lamont

  • Port of Lost Dreams – October 15, 1934 – Frank R. Strayer

  • The World Accuses – November 12, 1934 – Charles Lamont

  • The Ghost Walks – December 1, 1934 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Sons of Steel – December 15, 1934 – Charles Lamont

  • Symphony of Living – January 20, 1935 – Frank R. Strayer

  • A Shot in the Dark – February 1, 1935 – Charles Lamont

  • Public Opinion – March 15, 1935 – Frank R. Strayer

  • One in a Million – March 21, 1935 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Circumstantial Evidence – March 30, 1935 – Charles Lamont

  • The Girl Who Came Back – June 21, 1935 – Charles Lamont

  • Society Fever – June 23, 1935 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Death from a Distance – July 3, 1935 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Happiness C.O.D. – September 10, 1935 – Charles Lamont

  • Condemned to Live – September 15, 1935 – Frank R. Strayer

  • The Lady in Scarlet – October 20, 1935 – Charles Lamont

  • False Pretenses – October 22, 1935 – Charles Lamont

  • Tango – February 14, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • The Bridge of Sighs – February 15, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • Ring Around the Moon – February 15, 1936 – Charles Lamont

  • The Dark Hour – February 18, 1936 – Charles Lamont

  • August Weekend – February 18, 1936 – Charles Lamont

  • Murder at Glen Athol – February 28, 1936 – Frank R. Strayer

  • The Little Red Schoolhouse – March 2, 1936 – Charles Lamont

  • Footlights and Shadows – March 12, 1936 – Frank R. Strayer

  • Brilliant Marriage – March 25, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • Three of a Kind – May 20, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • Below the Deadline – June 8, 1936 – Charles Lamont

  • Easy Money – June 14, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • It Couldn't Have Happened (But It Did) – August 1, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • Missing Girls – September 10, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • Lady Luck – September 14, 1936 – Charles Lamont

  • House of Secrets – October 28, 1936 – Roland D. Reed

  • Ellis Island – November 5, 1936 – Phil Rosen

  • Red Lights Ahead – November 29, 1936 – Roland D. Reed