Final answer:
Motion pictures were indeed a part of the variety of "modernity" experienced by Americans which included the introduction and proliferation of department stores, amusement parks, automobiles, radios, and the assembly line. This era saw the development of a shared national culture fostered by these innovations, with the film industry becoming a significant symbol of this modernity, especially evidenced by the popularity of movie houses across the nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To Americans and the film-going world, motion pictures indeed represented a part of "modernity" that included a variety of technological advancements and cultural developments. By the 1920s, cinema had solidified its place as a major form of entertainment. It united people of various backgrounds by providing a shared cultural experience through the likes of dramatic silent films and later, the sound films. The film industry rapidly grew in tandem with other symbols of modern life: the department stores with their vast windows showcasing the latest consumer goods, the exhilaration of amusement parks, the flexibility afforded by the automobile, the connectivity dubbed by radio broadcasts, and the efficiency-driven assembly line which revolutionized manufacturing.
Motion Pictures were part of the burgeoning mass culture, as they allowed people to partake in the same stories and experiences regardless of their geographic location. This unifying aspect of early films contributed to a national culture, distancing society from previously predominant regional and local concerns. The film industry became the fourth largest industry in the United States by 1925, with over 20,000 movie houses across the nation, and Hollywood earning its reputation as the movie capital.
The era’s advancements in entertainment were not exclusively on the silver screen; technology also progressed significantly in other sectors. The Model T Ford by Henry Ford made cars affordable to the masses, and daring advancements in aviation further symbolized the era's technological leaps. Additionally, cities provided a variety of public entertainment options like arcades and amusement parks alongside more elite cultural events such as operas and ballets.
The assertion that motion pictures were part of the variety of "modernity" including the department store, amusement park, automobile, radio, and assembly line is true.