Studies of "Classic Hollywood" typically treat Hollywood films released from 1930 to 1960 as a single interpretive mass. Veronica Pravadelli complicates this idea. Focusing on dominant tendencies in box office hits and Oscar-recognized classics; she breaks down the so-called classic period into six distinct phases that follow Hollywoods amazingly diverse offerings from the emancipated females of the "Transition Era" and the traditional men and women of the conservative 1930s that replaced it to the fantastical Fifties movie musicals that arose after anti-classic genres like film noir and womens films. Pravadelli sets her analysis apart by paying particular attention to the gendered desires and identities exemplified in the films. Availing herself of the significant advances in film theory and modernity studies that have taken place since similar surveys first saw publication; she views Hollywood through strategies as varied as close textural analysis; feminism; psychoanalysis; film style and study of cinematic imagery; revealing the inconsistencies and antithetical traits lurking beneath Classic Hollywoods supposed transparency.
2015-06-10 2015-06-10File Name: B00JLN61EQ
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Finely craftedBy Rajiv ChopraAn excellent book. I must confess that for much of the early part of the book; I was bemused and wondering what the fuss was all about. as the book progressed; the characters of the various protagonists came through very clearly; as did their inherent conflict with each other.This creeps up on you; almost secretly; and then you suddenly realised that you are faced with the character of a woman who finds herself; and that Ibsen has managed to describe the roles that women played in society of that time.An excellent book; with many subtle layers.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Required for English Class; but after I read it - I suggest it as a must read for any English or English History afficionadoBy Deborah K ScottChosen by my 100 year old English Professor for English Comp 161 (first level required English for college; highest beginner course; everyone must take it). I read the title and assumed it would be a chic book; although it has some feminist overtones; it is not that by any means; and was written by a man - a controversial (at the time) author who revolutionized drama. This play was so popular at the time it first came out; its accurate to say that everyone in the world who was a fan of the theatre would have seen it. With its power to women ideals; some patriarchal societies have been slow in allowing the play to be seen in their countries; or have even changed the story to be more according to their beliefs. A must read for any English student or English history buff.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great story that you first think youd rather be spraying ...By SamI bought this because I am of Norwegian ancestry and had never read Ibsen. Its a time capsule and eye opening. Great story that you first think youd rather be spraying wasp nests in the house eaves while standing on a 12 ladder than reading this but i stuck with it and it has a great ending. Supposedly extremely controversial at the time.
