This book was purchased through Amazon. The Preface describes this book, comprising original papers and previously published materials, is designed as a collateral text for undergraduates courses dealing with the development of American film.
Since the book was published in 1976 with original papers published before that time some of the references may mean little to the reader without further research.
For instance,a paper, "The Business of Motion Pictures" by Carl Laemmle, founder of Univeral Pictures describes the use of posters in the sdevrtising of films. The type of posters described and the promotion and exploitation methods have long been discontinued. Mr. Laemmle also speaks of the practice of rereleasing films many times after the premiere showing. Universal's "Frankenstein" premiered on December 6, 1931 and was rereleased for theater showings every one or two years thereafter. The practice today is for the film to go to home rentals or VHS or DVD after its general release and seldom if ever seen again on a theatre screen. If the film was successful in its general release it may be filmed again with a different cast and the latest in screen refinements or followed by sequels of what is now termed the "The Franchise," e.g. the James Bond series.
This is not a criticism of the book for it is in fact a good companion to other books on the film industry. It is, although historical accurate with the then times, some of the practices and observations are no longer applicable.
Barry Goodkin