Motion Picture & Television Fund

The Motion Picture & Television Fund is a charitable organization that offers assistance and care to those in the motion picture and television industries without resources.

Related Topics:
Motion picture - Television

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The need for a fund to benefit fellow colleagues who fell on hard times was seen by many in the early days of motion pictures. It began with coin boxes at studios, where industry workers would drop their spare change.

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In 1921, the Motion Picture Relief Fund was incorporated with the help of Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, among others. Joseph M. Schenck was president and Pickford was vice president. The original Board of Trustees included many big names, including Charles Christie, Cecil B. DeMille, Fairbanks, William S. Hart, Jesse L. Lasky, Harold Lloyd, Mae Murray, Hal Roach, and Irving Thalberg.

Related Topics:
1921 - Charlie Chaplin - Mary Pickford - Douglas Fairbanks - D.W. Griffith - Joseph M. Schenck - Charles Christie - Cecil B. DeMille - William S. Hart - Jesse L. Lasky - Harold Lloyd - Mae Murray - Hal Roach - Irving Thalberg

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To raise money, the fund held celebrity benefits such as balls, movie premieres, polo matches, fashion shows and card parties. Talent was provided by Chaplin, Pickford, Fairbanks, Will Rogers and many other stars. These events raised thousands of dollars in aid.

Related Topics:
Will Rogers - Stars

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In 1932, Pickford began the Payroll Pledge Program, a deduction plan for those earning over $200 a week. Studio workers were asked to pledge one-half of one percent of their earnings to the fund. In 1938, participation in the program was increased by including talent groups, unions and producer representatives. SAG helped by ruling for compulsory contributions by its Class A members.

Related Topics:
1932 - 1938 - SAG

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Major stars were asked to appear on the radio program The Screen Guild Show and donate their salaries to the fund. Members of the Directors and Writers Guilds also contributed their services to the show, which premiered in 1939 and became one of the most popular shows on the air. Millions of dollars were raised.

Related Topics:
Radio program - Directors - Writers - 1939

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Eventually, the fund offered services to those working in television, and the name was altered to reflect the change. Attempting to meet the needs of an entire industry, it has expanded to include network, cable and independent stations, as well as video, radio, live theatre, dance, recording, music and industry media.

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Besides offering emergency money and operating the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, its comprehensive services operate five outpatient health centers throughout the greater Los Angeles area as well as a children?s center.

Related Topics:
Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital - Los Angeles

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The motto of the fund is "We Take Care of Our Own."

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