Product Description

'"The American Film Musical" is a truly admirable book which is well worth making a song and dance about. It will immediately assume biblical authority for all who are seriously interested in the dream-factory's most lavish fantasies, and it may even come to stand as a landmark in our understanding of Hollywood as a whole...Altman's book is thorough, well informed and warmly good-humored. It has brought the study of musical films out of the dark ages' - " Times Literary Supplement". '...a model of genre criticism and probably the best overall analysis of the film musical to date' - "Journal of Popular Films and Television". '...an important addition to both literature and film collections...a landmark study' - "Library Journal". 'Altman's important study of the American film musical combines genre theory with film criticism and history...Recommended...' - "Choice"."The American Film Musical" is at once the most advanced statement on genre theory and the most complete treatment of the American musical. Altman's unique interweaving of theory, history, and criticism represents an original and challenging contribution to film studies. The book is illustrated with over 200 frame enlargements and production stills. It will interest film enthusiasts, as well as scholars of film, theater, popular culture and communications.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #375897 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
1992 French Film Critics Award for Best Film Book NP"The American Film Musical is a truly admirable book which is well worth making a song and dance about. It will immediately assume biblical authority for all who are seriously interested in the dream-factory's most lavish fantasies, and it may even come to stand as a landmark in our understanding of Hollywood as a whole... Altman's book is thorough, well informed and warmly good-humoured. It has brought the study of musical films out of the dark ages." Times Literary Supplement "... a model of genre criticism and probably the best overall analysis of the film musical to date." Journal of Popular Films and Television " ... an important addition to both literature and film collections... a landmark study." Library Journal "Altman's important study of the American film musical combines genre theory with film criticism and history... Recommended ..." Choice

Customer Reviews

More matter with less blabber please!
This is a classic example of a writer letting the constructs of academic verbage get in the way of his message. Altman has some solid original ideas about the history and construction of American screen musicals, but he lets the language get in the way. He also gets too many little facts wrong -- for example, he refers several times to Shirley Jones having a little sister Amarylis in THE MUSIC MAN, but Amarylis was only her piano student and NOT a relative! Its hard to respect someone who is so sloppy about research.