This documentary on the history of short subjects was first shown on the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) cable network. It surveys the genre from the beginning of the movies in the 1890's, when all movies were shorts, through the 1950's, when short subjects virtually disappeared from theaters. Several series of shorts are highlighted, including the The Three Stooges, Joe McDoakes, Robert Benchley, the Pete Smith Specialties, John Nesbitt's Passing Parade, and the Dogville comedies. Animated short films are given short shrift.

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story

Latinos, this nation's largest and fastest-growing ethnic group, are big business and this documentary examines how efforts to profit from this group are shaping the contemporary Latino identity.