This book is about the American Arts scene in the early 1920s. Seldes devotes a chapter to each of the arts. These are motion pictures; music; US. theater; dance; journalism; circus and American Wit and Humour. Several prominent practitioners of the time are discussed.

Highly acclaimed classic intelligently and engagingly discusses slapstick, comic strips, vaudeville, and other elements of popular culture and their relationship to such traditional art forms as opera, ballet, drama, and classical music. Author Seldes also pays homage to Charlie Chaplin, Mack Sennett, Irving Berlin, the Marx Brothers, and a host of other celebrities. A must-have book for general readers, students and teachers of the performing arts, and devotees of American popular culture.