American cinema [videorecording] / a New York Center for Visual History production in co-production with KCET and the BBC ; producer, Molly Ornati.

An epic analysis of the American motion picture industry that combines rare archival film, key scenes from immortal movies, interviews with leading filmmakers and commentary from noted film scholars and critics.

NTSC.

Closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.

Contains documentary archival footage, stills, and animated sequences, as well as live action.

Host, John Lithgow.

Volumes have varying production credits.

Most volumes suitable for a general audience; v.5, "Romantic Comedy" contains passages with strong language and sexually explicit scenes.

For U.S. private or public performance on VCRs or on closed circuit educational systems only.

Traces the evolution of American movies from narrative and studio styles to an industry product competing with television, including many movie excerpts and interviews with directors, producers and stars.

[v.1] The Hollywood style (60 min.) -- [v.2] The studio system (60 min.) -- [v.3] The star (60 min.) -- [v.4] The Western (60 min.) -- [v.5] Romantic comedy (60 min.) -- [v.6] The combat film (60 min.) -- [v.7] Film noir (60 min.) -- [v.8] Film in the television age (60 min.) -- [v.9] The film school generation (60 min.) -- [v.10] The edge of Hollywood (60 min.) -- [v.11] Film language. Writing and thinking about film. Classical Hollywood style today (90 min.)