Starting with 1893, when Thomas Alva Edison built the first film studio, a hut on a pivotwhich could be rotated to follow the sun, David Shipman takes a year-by-year look at every aspect of cinema's phenomenal growth. With profound expertise and no little wit, he describes the best - and worst - films from each year, charts the rise and fall of the stars, and records the staggering technical achievements. Taken together, all the facts, figures and judicious comments combine to give a comprehensive overview of cinema and its unique place in twentieth century history.