Eileen Bowser chronicles the history of the American film business from the days of storefront nickelodeons to the premiere of D. W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation. The effect of the surroundings--the size of the hall; whether the film was shown alone or along with vaudeville entertainment; and the size, quality, and relevance of the musical background--are all examined for their impact on the filmgoing experience.
Chronicles a colourful period in American film history, from the origin of store-front nickleodeons to the establishment of the Motion Picture Patents Company. The study recounts how film companies brought about the emergence of the feature film, and played a role in implementing moral reforms.
