Dear Mark Allen,
        In research I did on early cinema I found the use of the term
"trailer" occurring in the mid to late teens and having the meaning of a
short film prepared as an advertisement for a forthcoming movie.  See
"Announcing Wares, Winning Patrons, Voicing Ideals:  Thking about the
History and Theory of Film Advertising," Cinema Journal 29, no. 2 (Spring
1990), p. 8 and fn. 24.  Hope this helps.  Janet
 
 
Janet Staiger                                  512-471-6653 (office)
Professor of Radio-Television-Film             512-329-5104 (home)
University of Texas at Austin                  512-329-5144 (home fax)
Austin, TX 78712  USA                          [log in to unmask]
 
----
To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L
in the message.  Problems?  Contact [log in to unmask]