Synopses & Reviews
More genres, 19 in fact, are discussed than in other standard works. The 14 genres considered here by film scholar contributors other than Gehring include the adventure film, the western, the gangster film, film noir, the WW II combat film, the horror film, science fiction, fantasy, the musical, melodrama, the social problem film, the biographical film, and the art film. The discussion of fine comedy genres by Gehring himself is far more extensive than in other genre studies, embracing screwball comedy, populist comedy, parody, black humor, and clown comedy. . . . Recommended for both undergraduate and graduate collections.
ChoiceWith the increased sophistication of film scholarship in recent decades, the traditional motion picture categories are often found too limited to provide a workable basis for exploring the medium. Addressing the need for an expanded conceptual framework, this new handbook offers eighteen informative genre essays by recognized film scholars, together with selected filmographies and bibliographies for each category discussed. Written in a straightforward, readable style, it is the most comprehensive and up-to-date film guide available.
Review
In brief, Gehring has assembled a fine set of writings on American film that offer insight while directing the reader to further sources of information.Et Cetera
Synopsis
"One of the strengths of this guide is its coverage of more genres than other standard studies. . . . Handbook of American Film Genres covers foreign films as well, it makes a valuable contribution to film scholarship, and it will be a useful acquisition for libraries that support serious film study." Reference Books Bulletin
Synopsis
With the increased sophistication of film scholarship in recent decades, the traditional motion picture categories are often found too limited to provide a workable basis for exploring the medium. Addressing the need for an expanded conceptual framework, this new handbook offers eighteen informative genre essays by recognized film scholars, together with selected filmographies and bibliographies for each category discussed. Written in a straightforward, readable style, it is the most comprehensive and up-to-date film guide available.
Synopsis
"One of the strengths of this guide is its coverage of more genres than other standard studies. . . . Handbook
Synopsis
of American Film Genres covers foreign films as well, it makes a valuable contribution to film scholarship, and it will be a useful acquisition for libraries that support serious film study." Reference Books Bulletin
Synopsis
"More genres, 19 in fact, are discussed than in other standard works. The 14 genres considered here by film scholar contributors other than Gehring include the adventure film, the western, the gangster film, film noir, the WW II combat film, the horror film, science fiction, fantasy, the musical, melodrama, the social problem film, the biographical film, and the art film. The discussion of fine comedy genres by Gehring himself is far more extensive than in other genre studies, embracing screwball comedy, populist comedy, parody, black humor, and clown comedy. . . . Recommended for both undergraduate and graduate collections." Choice
About the Author
WES D. GEHRING is a Professor of Film at Ball State University.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction by Wes D. Gehring
Action/Adventure Genres
The Adventure Film by Thomas Sobchack
The Western by Thomas Schatz
The Gangster Film by John Raeburn
Film Noir by Jack Nachbar
The World War II Combat Film by Kathryn Kane
Comedy Genres
Screwball Comedy by Wes D. Gehring
Populist Comedy by Wes D. Gehring
Parody by Wes D. Gehring
Black Humor by Wes D. Gehring
Clown Comedy by Wes D. Gehring
The Fantastic
Horror Film by Gerald C. Wood
Science Fiction by Vivian Sobchack
Fantasy by Wade Jennings
Songs and Soaps
The Musical by James M. Collins
Melodrama by Steven N. Lipkin
NonTraditional Genres
The Social Problem Film by Charles J. Maland
Biographical Film by Carolyn Anderson
The Art Film by William C. Siska
Index