What did the early motion pictures do to change mass communication?

Early motion pictures offered a great asset to mass communications...it added the mass to it.  A great number of people could attend a single theater and watch the same film.  They all received the same communication.  Theaters were actually broader than that, as many theaters showed the same film strips at the same time.  This was a huge leap to what could be provided through the radio or newspapers.

Since the large audience was exposed to the same information regardless of location, the same information could be communicated.  This meant that stars could be born.  Prior to this the stars would have to travel and visit many towns across the United States to receive recognition.  This was all side stepped now.  People could be exposed to the stars all at one time.

The advent of the star is also a precursor to spokespersons.  The recognition and familiarity with a person to the audience is important.  A rapport is built between the star and the audience which gives the message more weight and importance.