Heroes, antiheroes, and dolts : portrayals of masculinity in American popular films, 1921-1999

This book is a discussion of 75 of the most popular films in America from 1921 through 1999 and the changes that have taken place in how masculinity is portrayed in the movies over that period of time. Traditionally in popular films, men have met challenging tasks, but what they accomplish and how successful they are have been drastically changed since the early 1920s. Prior to World War II, men were most often presented within the context of a family. After the war, men were presented as concerned with issues beyond their immediate families, and after 1970, they were portrayed as being overwhelmed by their situations. Recently, popular films have tended to focus on the relationships between men. This work documents these changes over eight decades, using the movies as vehicles to illustrate the major transformations.

This book is a discussion of 75 of the most popular films in America from 1921 through 1999 and the changes that have taken place in how masculinity is portrayed in the movies over that period of time. Traditionally in popular films, men have met challenging tasks, but what they accomplish and how successful they are have been drastically changed since the early 1920s. Prior to World War II, men were most often presented within the context of a family. After the war, men were presented as concerned with issues beyond their immediate families, and after 1970, they were portrayed as being overwhelmed by their situations. Recently, popular films have tended to focus on the relationships between them. This work documents these changes over eight decades, using the movies as vehicles to illustrate the major transformations.

Author Biography: Ashton D. Trice is a professor of psychology at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Researcher and writer Samuel A. Holland is a student at James Madison University.

Booknews

Noting that their treatment can be seen as film history, film criticism, or men's studies, Trice and Holland (both psychology, James Madison U.) are primarily interested in the films and their representations of masculinity from a popular culture perspective, asking why the films were popular and what their popularity has to say about what it meant to be male during various times. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"Through a discussion of 75 of the most popular American films 1921-1999, interesting changes in how masculinity is portrayed are revealed. Traditionally in popular films, men have met challenging tasks, but what they accomplish and how successful they are have drastically changed since the early 1920s. Prior to World War II, men were most often presented within the context of a family. After the war, men were presented as concerned with issues beyond their immediate families, and after 1970, they were portrayed as being overwhelmed by their situations. Most recently, popular films have tended to focus on the relationships between men. This work documents these changes over eight decades."--BOOK JACKET. Cover Preface Contents Introduction Part I—In the Beginning One: Valentino, the First Star? Two: 1939 Part II—Heroes Three: Musicals of World War II Four: Men as Objects: Men in the Weepies Five: Casablanca Part III—Antiheroes Six: Revisioning the War Seven: Saints and Sinners: Masculinity in the Biblical Epics of the 1950s and 1960s Eight: The Good ’50s Family: Shane Nine: Love Is Having to Say You’re Sorry: Dysfunctional Families of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s Ten: Bond: Stirred, Not Shaken Part IV—Superheroes and Dolts Eleven: Star Wars Twelve: Disney’s Men and Boys Thirteen: Gump and Gumper: Men as Idiots Fourteen: Post-Feminist Heroes: Jack and Shakespeare Chapter Notes Bibliography Index