Investigates how elements of a novel, short story or play are retained, altered, or deleted in the translation to film. Examines commercial considerations that affect the choice of literary sources and shows why producers choose Broadway musicals, best sellers and other popular genres. Use such cinematic works as "The Birth Of A Nation" and "The Informer" to help illustrate how the elements of a novel, short story or play are retained, altered or deleted in the translation to film.