Film Genre: From Iconography to Ideology

by Barry Keith Grant

Overview

This is a concise evaluation of film genre, discussing genre theory and sample analyses of the western, science fiction, the musical, horror, comedy, and the thriller. It introduces the topic in an accessible way and includes sections on the principles of studying and understanding "the idea of genre"; genre and popular culture; the narrative and stylistic conventions of specific genres; the relations of genres to culture and history, race, gender, sexuality, class and national identity; and the complex relations between genre and authorship. Case studies include: 42nd Street, Pennies from Heaven, Red River, All That Heaven Allows, Night of the Living Dead, Die Hard, Little Big Man, Blue Steel, and Posse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781904764793
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	04/10/2007
Series:	Short Cuts
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Barry Keith Grant is professor in the department of communication, popular culture, and film at Brock University, Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Approaching Film Genre
2. Genre and Society
3. Genre and Authorship
4. Genre and Representation
Conclusion: Beyond Hollywood
Filmography
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Stephen Prince

Barry Grant provides a splendid introduction to film genre study. This elegant volume offers a concise overview of the main theoretical, historical and cultural issues, which are developed through a series of case studies of significant, enduring genre masterworks. Grant's writing is lively and very clear, which makes this an excellent book for use in the classroom. This will become an essential work on its subject.

— Stephen Prince,, Virginia Tech

Krin Gabbard

Scrupulously identifying the important film genres, Barry Grant explores each one with enlightening case studies. He consistently chooses films that students will enjoy on first viewing as much as instructors will enjoy on a return visit. Most impressively, Grant brings clarity to a large body of theoretical material that has not always been so clear.

— Krin Gabbard,, State University of New York