Final answer:
Movies were seen as revolutionary in the early 20th century because they created a mass culture, reflected modernist ideals, and had the unprecedented ability to shape societal views. The development of 'talking pictures' and the film industry's experimentation with content pushed cinema far beyond previous entertainment forms, often challenging Victorian norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Movies emerged in the early 20th century and were perceived as a revolutionary and potentially dangerous entertainment technology for several reasons. Movies transcended regional and local concerns, creating a mass culture for the first time, with audiences nationwide sharing the same experiences. The silent films of the 1900s and 1910s, and subsequently the "talking pictures" of the late 1920s, represented a stark departure from the genteel or Victorian forms of entertainment that were previously popular, aligning more with modernist notions of progress and change.
Early film technologies like the Kinetoscope and advancements like CinemaScope and Cinerama expanded the possibilities for storytelling and audience engagement. Additionally, films acted as cultural touchstones reflecting societal dreams, fears, and experiences. With Hollywood and later Bollywood shaping cinema into a global phenomenon, the integration of sound and color in the 1930s further solidified films as a cornerstone of modern culture.
The perception of movies as potentially dangerous stemmed from their ability to influence public opinion and culture on a mass scale, which was unprecedented at the time. Moreover, the early film industry's inclination towards artistic experimentation and critique of politics and society in postwar eras presented a new form of social commentary that was accessible to the masses, further highlighting the transformative power of film.