Introduction: Progressivism, modernity, and transitional cinema
From crowds to communities: Progressive Era spectatorship theories
Progressivism and early feature films: textuality, oversight, uplift
Celebrity, self-awareness, and the consciousness of self
Private pleasures and public space: community culture and the dominance of neighborhood theaters
Oversight and regulation: film censorship, local government, and social reform
Citizenship and black cinema
Patriotism and patronage: regional and national identity in Chicago's theaters during World War I
Conclusion.