In 1903 The Great Train Robbery represented a giant step forward for the American film industry. Directed by Edwin S Porter for the Edison Company this twelve minute film was one of the main reasons why American movies soon left behind the slot machine era. Playing one of the train robbers was Gilbert M Anderson later to become famous as the first Western star Bronco Billy.

By 1907 there were more than 7,000 early motion picture theatres (called Nickelodeons because a nickel was charged for admission) all over the United States. The Nickelodeon craze was fuelled by the fact that all you needed to break into the picture business was a projector, a vacant store and a few chairs.

Although American films gradually got longer as the first decade of the 20th century progressed they still lagged behind British and French films not only in terms of length but also in their artistic use of the medium. Most American films of this period were little more than photographed stage plays. Actors and actresses of the  legitimate theatre were ashamed to appear in something which was just a pale imitation.

Years later when John Barrymore was asked if his film and theatre work was of primary and secondary importance to his career he said his film work was of tertiary importance. This attitude was universal in 1910.

Sarah Bernhardt the world's greatest actress entrusted her performance as Queen Elizabeth to celluloid because she needed the money. The film encouraged other stage stars such as James O'Neil  and James Hackett to appear in films even though O'Neil had been attracted by a promise of 20 % of the profits and  Hackett by a  salary  of $1,250  and a  part for his wife.

It was soon apparent though that if American films were going to compete with the Europeans filming stageplays with stage trained actors was not enough. One director in particular realised something more was needed : original stories which would appeal to a wide audience and  innovatory uses of the medium, his name was D.W. Griffith.