The rapid proliferation of specialized storefront moving-picture theaterscommonly known as "nickelodeons" (a reference to the customary admission charge of five cents), "electric theaters," and "theatoriums"-created a revolution in screen entertainment.¹ They would alter the nature of spectatorship and precipitate fundamental shifts in representation. Their explosive demand for product would not only increase film production but force its reorganization. It is not too much to say that modern cinema began with the nickelodeons.

In retrospect, the period between 1895 and 1905 witnessed the establishment and finally the saturation of cinema within preexisting venues. By the fall of 1905, nickelodeons were becoming recognized as important outlets for films. Commenting on this new development, George Kleine noted that "many circuits of so-called ten-cent houses are springing up, some of them of pretentious construction and heavy investment. These make motion pictures and illustrated songs the chief, sometimes the...