Cinema, year by year, 1894-2000 / editor in chief, Robyn Karney ; associate editor, Joel W. Finler ; contributors, Ronald Bergan ... [et al. ; foreword by Gene Siskel]

Birth of an industry, 1900 to 1919 -- The silent era, 1920-1929 -- Movies find a voice, 1930 to 1939 -- War and after, 1940 to 1949 -- The swing of the pendulum, 1950 to 1959 -- The New Wave, 1960 to 1969 -- Strange bedfellows, 1970 to 1979 -- The Reagan years, 1980 to 1989 -- Towards the millennium, 1990 to 2004 -- Special features. The development of sound / Joel W. Finler. The studio system / Joel W. Finler. Color and widescreen / Joel W. Finler. The Oscar story / Ronald Bergan. Cameras / Joel W. Finler. Box office hits / Joel W. Finler. Reel music / Ronald Bergan. Special effects / Joel W. Finler. The irresistible rise of the independent movie / Edel Brosnan.

Designed for fun and a taste of history, this annual grows bigger each year as new material is added, but none subtracted. Someday it'll have to be published in two volumes, but in the meantime those who want the latest update must purchase the whole thing. Movies, performances, and notable events are described and reviewed in a news-item format with catchy headlines; and abundant color photos and posters will engage browsers who don't care to read. Each year's "chapter" lists Academy Award winners and deaths of prominent members of the business.