The author, in this new edition of a 1945 classic on film theory, proposes that films have a greater influence on the minds of the general public than any other art form; therefore, a careful study of film is necessary to control and direct its potential influence. He delineates the early history of films, pointing out that not until 10 or 12 years after the invention of the motion picture camera did a truly visual language begin to emerge. He traces the development of this visual language and examines the unique devices of silent films. He uses his knowledge of international film classics to analyze the effects and techniques of the silent film, concentrating on the powerful combination of the close-up shot and the skillful actor's face. Camera setups and photographic techniques, as well as editing techniques such as cross cutting and montages, are fully explored and illustrated. He describes attempts to emancipate films from their literary content in order to reach a higher level of abstraction. He feels that the great potential of sound films has yet to be realized. He presents his ideas on the problems encountered in the use of sound and color, on writing for or adapting existing literary works for films, on the differences between style and stylization, on film operas, and on the emergence of the screen idol. (JY)