Introduction: Constructing the American skyscraper film -- From stumbling blocks to stepping stones : Harold Lloyd's skyscraper films -- Icons of exploitation : gender and class disharmony in the Depression-era skyscraper office -- Masculine heroes, modernism, and political ideology in The fountainhead and The big clock -- Mid-century corporate renewal and gender realignment in Executive suite and Desk set -- Postscript: Recent skyscraper films