The Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers became an
influential force in the film industry in the 1940s. At the beginning of the Paramount
case in 1938, there were perhaps a dozen independent production companies in
Hollywood. By the end of the studios era, there were easily over one hundred.
Not all independents became members, however, especially as independent
production boomed after World War II. Many of these non-members were directors
who achieved fame working for the studios, hoping to defect from the studios.
Though they followed in the independent production pattern pioneered by the
SIMPP founders, many did not join SIMPP. Unfortunately most of the independent
directors found their independents ventures short-lived, and would return to the
studio rosters.
