Best Years
Going to the Movies, 1945-1946
Will be published approx. on 14. August 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-8135-4697-1 (ISBN)
Description
Americans flocked to the movies in 1945 and 1946Uthe center point of the three-decade heyday of the studio system's sound era. Why?Best Years is a panoramic study, shining light on this critical juncture in American historyand the history of American cinemaUthe end of World War II (1945) and a year of unprecedented success in Hollywood's "Golden Age" (1946). This unique time, the last year of war and the first full year of peace, provides a rich blend of cinema genres and typesUfrom the battlefront to the home front, the peace film to the woman's film, psychological drama, and the period's provocative new style, film noir.
Best Years focuses on films that were famous, infamous, forgotten, and unforgettable. Big budget A-films, road shows, and familiar series share the spotlight. From Bergman and Grant in Notorious to Abbott and Costello in Lost in a Harem, Charles Affron and Mirella Jona Affron examine why the bond between screen and viewer was perhaps never tighter. Paying special attention to the movie-going public in key cities--Atlanta, New York, Boston, Honolulu, and Chicago--this ambitious work takes us on a cinematic journey to recapture a magical time.
Best Years focuses on films that were famous, infamous, forgotten, and unforgettable. Big budget A-films, road shows, and familiar series share the spotlight. From Bergman and Grant in Notorious to Abbott and Costello in Lost in a Harem, Charles Affron and Mirella Jona Affron examine why the bond between screen and viewer was perhaps never tighter. Paying special attention to the movie-going public in key cities--Atlanta, New York, Boston, Honolulu, and Chicago--this ambitious work takes us on a cinematic journey to recapture a magical time.
Reviews / Votes
"This outstanding book's overview of the role movies played at a key moment in the nation's history provides an invaluable and wonderfully readable resource for scholars, students, and everyone who loves the movies." - Robert Eberwein (author of Armed Forces: Masculinity and Sexuality in the American War Film) "This outstanding book's overview of the role movies played at a key moment in the nation's history provides an invaluable and wonderfully readable resource for scholars, students, and everyone who loves the movies." - Robert Eberwein (author of Armed Forces: Masculinity and Sexuality in the American War Film) "Just what was the movies' greatest year? Charles and Mirella Affron make a strong case for one moment, as World War II drew to a close, when Hollywood not only controlled the lion's share of the entertainment dollar, but spoke to a national audience from a position of financial stability and moral certainty. A fascinating guide to a season of movies, and movie culture, that today's fragmented audience can hardly imagine." - Richard Koszarski (author of Hollywood on the Hudson) "Just what was the movies' greatest year? Charles and Mirella Affron make a strong case for one moment, as World War II drew to a close, when Hollywood not only controlled the lion's share of the entertainment dollar, but spoke to a national audience from a position of financial stability and moral certainty. A fascinating guide to a season of movies, and movie culture, that today's fragmented audience can hardly imagine." - Richard Koszarski (author of Hollywood on the Hudson) "This remarkable book documents a turning point in US cinema-a period when WW II was ending, soldiers were returning, recreational time was increasing as the war machine shut down, and moviegoing in the US was at its height. Meticulously researched and richly detailed, the book ties films to the fabric of American existence-to places, persons, and things-persuasively arguing that for many reasons, 1945-46 was one of the key periods in the history of cinema. Packed to the brim with rare illustrations, this book succeeds admirably on every level. For anyone interested in the films of this era, this is the book to read. Essential." (Choice) "This remarkable book documents a turning point in US cinema-a period when WW II was ending, soldiers were returning, recreational time was increasing as the war machine shut down, and moviegoing in the US was at its height. Meticulously researched and richly detailed, the book ties films to the fabric of American existence-to places, persons, and things-persuasively arguing that for many reasons, 1945-46 was one of the key periods in the history of cinema. Packed to the brim with rare illustrations, this book succeeds admirably on every level. For anyone interested in the films of this era, this is the book to read. Essential." (Choice) "Best Years is a lucid and thought-provoking work that probes at some of Hollywood's most iconic films. The Affrons' work provides a comprehensive account of cinema's Golden Age that easily rivals any graduate-level film seminar." (Jump Cut) "Best Years is a lucid and thought-provoking work that probes at some of Hollywood's most iconic films. The Affrons' work provides a comprehensive account of cinema's Golden Age that easily rivals any graduate-level film seminar." (Jump Cut)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Brunswick NJ
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
51 illustrations. 52 photographs
Dimensions
Height: 251 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
726 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8135-4697-1 (9780813546971)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Charles Affron is professor emeritus of French at New York University. He is the author of
Lillian Gish: Her Legend and Life, coauthor of Sets in Motion: Art Direction and Film Narrative, and editor of 8+: Federico Fellini, Director (Rutgers University Press). Along with Mirella Jona Affron and Robert Lyons, he is a general editor of Films in Print and Depth of Field, both Rutgers University Press series.
Mirella Jona Affron is a professor of cinema studies at the College of Staten Island/CUNY, where she was provost from 1995 to 2002, and at the Graduate Center/CUNY. She is the coauthor of Sets in Motion: Art Direction and Film Narrative and editor of The Last Metro: Frantois Truffaut, Director (both Rutgers University Press). Along with Charles Affron and Robert Lyons, she is a general editor of Films in Print and Depth of Field, both Rutgers University Press series.
Lillian Gish: Her Legend and Life, coauthor of Sets in Motion: Art Direction and Film Narrative, and editor of 8+: Federico Fellini, Director (Rutgers University Press). Along with Mirella Jona Affron and Robert Lyons, he is a general editor of Films in Print and Depth of Field, both Rutgers University Press series.
Mirella Jona Affron is a professor of cinema studies at the College of Staten Island/CUNY, where she was provost from 1995 to 2002, and at the Graduate Center/CUNY. She is the coauthor of Sets in Motion: Art Direction and Film Narrative and editor of The Last Metro: Frantois Truffaut, Director (both Rutgers University Press). Along with Charles Affron and Robert Lyons, she is a general editor of Films in Print and Depth of Field, both Rutgers University Press series.
Content
Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
1 Standing Room Only
2 Over Here
3 Nation
4 Over There
5 Stars
6 Big Picture
7 Imports
8 Homecoming
9 Continuous Showings
Appendix A Box-Office Rankings
Appendix B Star Rankings
Notes
Index
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
1 Standing Room Only
2 Over Here
3 Nation
4 Over There
5 Stars
6 Big Picture
7 Imports
8 Homecoming
9 Continuous Showings
Appendix A Box-Office Rankings
Appendix B Star Rankings
Notes
Index