Hollywood Romantic Comedy: States of Union, 19341965

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Description

This book explores the changing representation of the couple, focusing on themes of marriage, equality and desire. Kathrina Glitre moves beyond the usual screwball territory to consider cycles of production from 1934-65. The central concern with the representation of the couple is distinctive and includes discussion of three star couples: Myrna Loy and William Powell, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, and Doris Day and Rock Hudson. Glitre offers explanations of genre, as well as detailed analysis of screwball comedy, career woman comedy and sex comedy. Each cycle is placed into context to analyse cultural discourses around heterosexuality, gender, romance and love. This structure also enables a more sophisticated understanding of such conventions as masquerade, gender inversion and the happy ending. The book will appeal to university students and academics working on genre, gender, culture and representation, and anyone with a keen interest in Hollywood romantic comedy. -- .

Reviews

"'I feel that from the opening pages I am in the presence of an author who knows with absolute confidence what she is doing and that she has all the necessary skills to carry her project through. Kathrina Glitre's book on the heyday of Hollywood romantic comedy seems to me destined to become a classic of its kind.' Brian McFarlane, Editor of the Encyclopedia of British Cinema"

Author Bio

Kathrina Glitre is Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of the West of England