A Guide to American Crime Films of the Forties and Fifties

(Hardback)

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Description

A guide to the crime films of the 40s and 50s, this volume focuses on the major events that shaped and moulded the genre: war, alienation, drugs and organised crime. The body of the work offers over 1200 entries that feature concise summaries, analyses and credits. The volume is a continuation of the author's earlier work, "A Guide to American Crime Films of the Thirties" (Greenwood, 1995). The book includes those stars that the public had already embraced as gangsters in the 30s such as James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson, and brings them into a new era in which they are transformed into enforcers of the law. This work should be of interest to scholars, students and film buffs alike. The work demonstrates the shift from the simpler gangster modes of the 1930s as it takes the reader forward to the more sophisticated films of the late 50s. Although the book is organised alphabetically, the introduction alerts the reader to the major social phenomena that influenced the genre of these decades. Also offered are credits that cover titles, release dates, distributors, directors, screenwriters and major players. The 1200 entries include detailed plot summaries and thematic analyses as well as relevant information on sources, remakes and sequels.

Reviews

In an illuminating introductory essay, the authors trace the development of each of these genres and in so doing they demonstrate how the various styles were colored by the changing mood of the 1940's and 1950's. This enteraining guide willappeal to scholars, students, and film buffs alike.-ARBA
Incisive, crisp, and effective plot summaries are the heart of the filmography; the description of White Heat, is a model of its kind. A valuable addition for academic libraries supporting film programs or popular culture collections.-Choice
"Incisive, crisp, and effective plot summaries are the heart of the filmography; the description of White Heat, is a model of its kind. A valuable addition for academic libraries supporting film programs or popular culture collections."-Choice
"In an illuminating introductory essay, the authors trace the development of each of these genres and in so doing they demonstrate how the various styles were colored by the changing mood of the 1940's and 1950's. This enteraining guide willappeal to scholars, students, and film buffs alike."-ARBA

Author Bio

LARRY LANGMAN is a freelance writer who has taught the art and history of film for many years. Among his books are A Guide to Silent Westerns (Greenwood, 1992), A Guide to American Silent Crime Films (with Daniel Finn, Greenwood, 1994), and A Guide to American Crime Films of the Thirties (with Daniel Finn, Greenwood, 1995). DANIEL FINN is a freelance writer who taught English in New York State for over 25 years. He specialized in creative writing and article publishing and was an instructor of composition at Syracuse University. He coauthored with Larry Langman A Guide to American Silent Crime Films (Greenwood, 1994) and A Guide to American Crime Films of the Thirties (Greenwood, 1995).