Immigrants and Early Film

The early film industry opened up many new avenues for recently arrived immigrants. Many came from countries such as France that already had its own established film industry and brought with them both the expertise and the initiative to start up their own companies. Where as some immigrant groups such as Jews had problems  breaking into more established trades, the movie industry provided an opportunity to own their own movie theaters and production companies. The films that were produced were often marketed to the masses with topics and admission prices that appealed to them. This helped to further grow the new industry, with it eventually turning into the cornerstone of what would be known as American entertainment for decades to come. For the immigrant masses, which more often than not were poor, the many theaters and nickelodeons that sprang up provided a distraction from what could otherwise be a tough existence. It also helped to plant the seeds in the minds of millions of what the "American Dream" could be.