This appeal to immigrants, and low ticket prices, made the overwhelmingly white, Christian upper class look down on vaudeville, so they did nothing to keep Jewish entrepreneurs out of the business.

Theaters in immigrant neighborhoods had shows in different languages, including Yiddish. Vaudeville theaters presented variety shows: a singer followed by an animal act, followed by slapstick comedy, and so on. Many of these Jewish-Americans came from vaudeville and the garment trade, two industries notably hospitable to Jews. Lasky (Jewish), Adolph Zukor (Jewish), Samuel Goldwyn (Jewish), Cecil B. (Read more: Should non-Jews play Jewish roles in Hollywood?) Members of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation: left to right: Jesse L. What inspired so many Jews to join the early film industry, and what was their lasting impact on American culture?

However, it is true that Jewish-Americans, many who were recent immigrants (i.e.: Carl Laemmle, Adolph Zukor, Samuel Goldwyn), were some of the founders of key Hollywood studios, along with others who were not Jewish (like Thomas Ince, Mack Sennett and Walt Disney).

Movie theater near universal studios