New York: Columbia University Press, 1994.
Call No: 732(73) LAU
Author: Sikov, Ed
Place: New York
Publisher: Columbia University Press
PubDate: 1994
PhysDes: xvii, 282 p., [24] p. of plates : ill. ; 24 cm
Subject: COMEDIES. USA; TRANSVESTISM; HOMOSEXUALITY IN FILMS. USA; LEWIS, JERRY; MARTIN, DEAN; MONROE, MARILYN; SWANSON, GLORIA; MANSFIELD, JAYNE; RUSSELL, JANE; HAWKS, HOWARD; WILDER, BILLY; HITCHCOCK, ALFRED; TASHLIN, FRANK; ARTISTS AND MODELS (US, Frank Tashlin, 1955); GIRL CAN'T HELP IT, THE (US, Frank Tashlin, 1956); GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (US, Howard Hawks, 1953); MONKEY BUSINESS (US, Howard Hawks, 1952); SEVEN YEAR ITCH, THE (US, Billy Wilder, 1955); SOME LIKE IT HOT (US, Billy Wilder, 1959); STALAG 17 (US, Billy Wilder, 1952); SUNSET BOULEVARD (US, Billy Wilder, 1950); TROUBLE WITH HARRY, THE (US, Alfred Hitchcock, 1955); WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER? (US, Frank Tashlin, 1957)
Summary: With the likes of Billy Wilder, Howard Hawks, Alfred Hitchcock, and Frank Tashlin revelling in "monkeys, babies, beautiful blondes, money, and cruelty" in their signature films of the 1950s, this seemingly conformist period turns out to be one of the most dynamic and original eras in Hollywood history. What distinguishes these directors is their candid and amusing exploration of cultural anxieties in carnival form. Quirky yet complex films such as Monkey Business, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Sunset Boulevard, The Trouble with Harry, and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? released and expressed the sexual repression and frustration we commonly associate with the decade
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [257]-267) and index
ISBN: 0231079826 (alk. paper)
LON: 93048900; 10679624