Final answer:
The early American film that utilized cross-cutting was 'The Great Train Robbery', directed by Edwin S. Porter in 1903.
Step-by-step explanation:
The very early American film that advanced film by being one of the first to implement cross-cutting, using about 12 separate shots, is The Great Train Robbery. Directed by Edwin S. Porter in 1903, The Great Train Robbery is based on a stage play and is often recognized for its innovative techniques for the time, including the use of cross-cutting to show simultaneous action in different locations, which was groundbreaking in early cinema. This innovation contributed significantly to the development of film narrative and editing techniques.