Final answer:
Lois Weber, Dorothy Arzner, and Ida Lupino were all prominent early female directors in Hollywood, breaking gender barriers and innovating in the film industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lois Weber, Dorothy Arzner, and Ida Lupino had in common the distinction of being prominent female directors in the early years of Hollywood. These women were pioneers in the film industry during a time when it was overwhelmingly dominated by men. Lois Weber was one of the very first female directors in the motion picture industry and became the first American woman film director to own a movie studio. Dorothy Arzner was the only female director to work regularly for a Hollywood studio in the 1930s, creating a number of successful films and innovating with the use of sound in cinema. Ida Lupino, who began as an actress, turned to directing and became a noted director in the 1940s and 1950s, often working on films that addressed social issues.
Each of these women carved a path for future generations of female filmmakers and their contributions to cinema history are significant. As directors, Weber, Arzner, and Lupino broke gender barriers, and their work is often studied for its thematic content and cinematic techniques. They helped lay the groundwork for later movements that sought greater gender equality in the film industry.