Politics and Politicians in American Film

Films have been a part of U.S. society for a century--a source of great enjoyment for the audience and of great profit to filmmakers. How does a mass entertainment medium deal with some of the great sources of dramatic real-life political and economic conflict--the Great Depression, the Cold War--in a way that attracts an audience without making it angry? How does an industry, which has from its beginnings been the subject of attacks from social, political and religious groups deal with political issues and conflicts? This book is an attempt to examine these questions; it is also an examination of some of the greatest and most interesting American films ever made--westerns, gangster films, comedies, war films, satires, and film biographies--to see what American films say about politics and politicians, and what these films, in turn, say about the audience for which they were produced.

Author: Phillip Gianos
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 07/30/1999
Pages: 232
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.72lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.48d
ISBN13: 9780275967666
ISBN10: 0275967662
BISAC Categories:
- Performing Arts | Film | History & Criticism
- Political Science | Political Process | General
- Language Arts & Disciplines | Communication Studies

About the Author

PHILLIP L. GIANOS is Professor of Political Science at California State University, Fullerton.