A history of American film from 1907 to 1915, discussing how film forms changed during the seven year period, and tracing the transformation of the film business from a small-time amusement enterprise to a gigantic entertainment industry.

The nickelodeon -- A game of freeze-out -- The recruiting station of vice -- The films : alternate scenes -- General filmco and the pushcart peddlers -- Acting : the camera's closer view -- Brand names and stars -- Movie palaces -- Trademarks, titles, introductions -- Detours on the way to Hollywood -- The genre film -- The feature film -- The lid comes off -- Refining the product -- Scene dissection, spectacle, film as art.