Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Peter William Evans is a Professor of Film Studies, in the Department of Film Studies at Queen Mary University of London. His publications range from classical Hollywood (books on the musical, romantic comedy and the Biblical epic, and articles on film noir, the western and Hitchcock), British cinema (a book on Carol Reed) and Spanish cinema (books on Buñuel, Almodovar and Bigas Luna)."Its considerable claims to Art and its resonant magic are the dual focus of this insightful and highly readable study by Peter William Evans . . . Evans approaches this most celebratory of musical comedies in celebratory mode but also with a deserved seriousness devoid of solemnity." (Times Literary Supplement , 24 June 2011) <p> </p>
- Offers a detailed analysis of one of Hollywood's greatest musicals, including a comprehensive survey of the film's production, promotion and reception, all measured against the background of 1930s socio-political contexts in the USA
- Explores the musical genre and questions of (gendered) national identity, romance, subjectivity and the notion of the couple
- Written in a clear, accessible style, Top Hat probes text and context carefully to appeal to the student and teacher of the musical and of Hollywood film history, as well as the film-loving general reader
List of Figures vi
Synopsis vii
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
1. The Making of Top Hat 6
2. Fred Astaire: "Outlaw" Stylist of the Dance 19
3. Ginger Rogers: Confirming and Defying Convention 26
4. Introduction to Narrative and Number: The Bumpy Road to Love 35
5. The Numbers 43
6. Querying National and Sexual Identity 85
Conclusion: A Perfectly Swell Romance 101
Notes 104
Bibliography 106
Index 114
Peter Evans’ immensely readable volume uses this paradigmatic film to explore questions not only of integration across the Hollywood musical in general, but the ambiguities of (gendered) national identity, romance, subjectivity and the notion of the couple. Written in a clear, accessible style, Top Hat probes text and context carefully to appeal to the student and teacher of the musical and of Hollywood film history, as well as the film-loving general reader.
"Peter Evans has provided an exemplary account of Top Hat. Packed with information and information and insight, his book is as elegantly structured and presented as the film itself. An excellent addition to an excellent series." Steve Neale, University of Exeter
"An acknowledged authority on the musical, Peter Evans has written an illuminating, often brilliantly so, study of Top Hat. He presents hitherto unknown facts relating to the film’s production history, puts Astaire and Rogers’ star personas and the supporting cast under the spotlight, and provides superb analysis of narrative, song, and dance. Like Astaire and Rogers, the movie and the critic are perfectly matched." Peter Stanfield, University of Kent