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Uncanny bodies : the coming of sound film and the origins of the horror genre / Robert Spadoni.
De Gruyter University of California Press Backlist eBook-Package 2000-2013 Available online
View online- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Spadoni, Robert, 1964-
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Horror films--United States--History and criticism.
- Horror films.
- Sound motion pictures--History and criticism.
- Sound motion pictures.
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource (204 p.)
- Edition:
- 1st ed.
- Place of Publication:
- Berkeley : University of California Press, c2007.
- Language Note:
- English
- Summary:
- In 1931 Universal Pictures released Dracula and Frankenstein, two films that inaugurated the horror genre in Hollywood cinema. These films appeared directly on the heels of Hollywood's transition to sound film. Uncanny Bodies argues that the coming of sound inspired more in these massively influential horror movies than screams, creaking doors, and howling wolves. A close examination of the historical reception of films of the transition period reveals that sound films could seem to their earliest viewers unreal and ghostly. By comparing this audience impression to the first sound horror films, Robert Spadoni makes a case for understanding film viewing as a force that can powerfully shape both the minutest aspects of individual films and the broadest sweep of film production trends, and for seeing aftereffects of the temporary weirdness of sound film deeply etched in the basic character of one of our most enduring film genres.
- Contents:
- Front matter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- INTRODUCTION
- 1. The Uncanny Body of Early Sound Film
- 2. Ludicrous Objects, Textualized Responses
- 3. The Mystery of Dracula
- 4. Dracula as Uncanny Theater
- 5 Frankenstein and the Vats of Hollywood
- CONCLUSION
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Films Cited
- Index
- Notes:
- Description based upon print version of record.
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-177) and index.
- Includes filmography: p. 179-181.
- Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.
- ISBN:
- 9786611385620
- 9780520940703
- 0520940709
- 9781281385628
- 128138562X
- 9781435653658
- 1435653653
- OCLC:
- 437212144
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