Charles Musser: The Emergence of Cinema. The American Screen to 1907.

Abstract

This volume examines the development of film and the film industry from its development through 1906 and the political and economic background that influenced it. pt. 1. Before cinema -- Toward a history of screen practice -- Thomas Edison and the amusement world -- Projecting motion pictures : invention and innovation -- pt. 2. The novelty of cinema : 1896-1897 -- The vitascope -- Early motion-picture companies -- The proliferation of motion-picture companies and an assessment of the novelty year -- pt. 3. The exhibitor plays a creative role : 1897-1900 -- Full-length programs : fights, passion plays, and travel -- Commercial warfare and the Spanish American War : 1897-1898 -- THe film industry achieves modest stability : 1898-1901 -- pt. 4. The production company assumes creative dominance : 1900-1905 -- A period of commercial crisis : 1900-1903 -- The transition to story films : 1903-1904 -- Cinema flourishes within its existing commercial framework : 1904-1905 -- pt. 5. The beginnings of the Nickelodeon Era : 1905-1907 -- Nickels count: storefront theaters : 1905-1907 -- Production as the Nickelodeon Era begins : 1905-1907.