Books in the New Approaches to Film Genre series

The Hollywood Film Musical examines the cross-fertilization between the genre and the popular music industry, tracing the function of this relationship in aesthetic, ideological and industrial terms, and outlining the influence of minstrel shows, vaudeville, the Broadway stage, the recording industry, and stardom.

The Hollywood Action and Adventure Film presents a comprehensive overview and analysis of the history, myriad themes, and critical approaches to the action and adventure genre in American cinema.

The most up-to-date study of the Hollywood romantic comedy film, from the development of sound to the twenty-first century, this book examines the history and conventions of the genre and surveys the controversies arising from the critical responses to these films.

The Fantasy Film provides a clear and compelling overview of this revitalized and explosively popular film genre. Providing in-depth historical and critical overviews of the genre, The Fantasy Film explores the boundaries of fantasy throughout history and the expansion of this important genre in contemporary film.

The Hollywood War Film introduces the theory, history, stars, and major films constituting this evergreen genre. From untested young recruits and battle-hardened warriors to ferocious drill instructors and stereotypical enemies, this volume offers readers lively entry into the major conventions of the war film genre.

Lush, vaguely liturgical music floods the theater. A sonorous offscreen male voice slowly articulates the words, "And it was written..." or "In the year... " On the screen, clouds mysteriously separate, and a semi-transparent figure appears in the sky... This is the religious film.

A comprehensive analysis of the historical film-a popular and controversial genre that's been with us since the early days of cinema-and Hollywood's unique ability to reshape our viewpoints while it sensually recreates the past.

Film Noir offers new perspectives on this highly popular and influential film genre, providing a useful overview of its historical evolution and the many critical debates over its stylistic elements.

Combining historical narrative with close readings of several significant horror films, this brief volume offers a broad and lively introduction to cinematic horror. In doing so, it outlines and investigates important issues in the production, consumption, and cultural interpretation of the genre.

From Shane to Kill Bill: Rethinking the Western is an original and compelling critical history of the American Western film.

* Guides readers through the genre's central characteristics and conventions * Provides a theoretical framework developed through the analysis of several films, including Grand Hotel, Singles, American Pie, Short Cuts, and Syriana.