This course is an introduction to the technology, history, semiotics, and ideology of film. Its focus will be the Hollywood film, with special concentration on the "studio era" of that form, 1920-1950. The course will be organized more or less historically, beginning with early films by M¿li¿s, Porter, and the brothers Lumi¿re, moving through the development of different cinematic styles in European and American silent features, and then into the sound era. The course will conclude with the rise of the summer "blockbuster" as the closing of the studio era. In addition, we will note the contributions of marginal modes to filmmaking as in documentary, and newsreel production.