Abstract This paper looks at the history of the gangsterfilmgenre in the United States from the 1930s to the 1960s. It specifically looks at the impact that this filmgenre has had on American society and culture. The paper discusses the historical context of the rise of the gangsterfilmgenre and why it appealed to Americans at that time in their history. It gives specific examples of films and characters that fit into this category.
Table of Contents:
The Rise of the GangsterGenre The Postwar World
1960's and Beyond
From the Paper "As World War I ended, the 18th Amendment ushered in Prohibition and with it a wave of crime matched only by the drug and gang wars of our own era. Where brewing and distilling were once respectable trades, the importation, production, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages was taken over by criminals during the 1920s. In big cities like New York or Chicago, headline grabbing mobsters battled for control of this illegal market. Competition among newspapers sensationalized and romanticized the stories of events like the St. Valentine's Day Massacre or the exploits of "Scarface" Al Capone. Our contemporary war on drugs can be seen as a parallel event - both of which run counter to the dominant free market and individual free choice ideology of the United States. Just as ethnic minorities were disproportionately represented as violating prohibition in the 1930s, those portrayed in modern gangster films are disproportionately Latino and Black or immigrant."
Abstract The author of this paper uses four films and quotes to illustrate the influence that the Godfather Saga had on the film "Goodfellas". It summarizes each of the Godfather movies including character analysis and connects them to the characters in Goodfellas.
From the paper:
"Gangsterfilms have been popular for many years. Everybody loves a film that depicts the days of mobsters and the many deals and connections that were portrayed within those films. Perhaps there is a small piece of each of us secretly wishing we could throw away the straight-laced life and become a part of the gangster scene back when it had respect. Whatever the reason America loves the films they are a sure moneymaker at the box office. The Godfather Trilogy began in 1972 and had three films to its saga. Each one was popular and picked up where the other left us hanging to continue the story. We expected each Godfather film to resemble the previous work of art. What we didn?t expect was the impact and influence these three films would have on a more recent project called Goodfellas. While Goodfellas is its own movie in its own right the movies is filled with the obvious influence of the Godfather Saga. "
Abstract This paper discusses the gangster movie genre in film and how "The Godfather" and "Godfather Three" are representative of this genre. The gangster world and its history are presented and an overview of the films given. Examples from the movies that illustrate characteristics of the genre are provided.
From the Paper "Film productions often mimic real life. It is what allows them to be placed into genre categories. Genres in the movies are very much like genres in the world of literature. There are romance genres, history genres and others that depict the type of movie that the film falls under. One genre waxes and wanes in its popularity. The gangster genre is one in which many movies have been made and they are classified as gangster genre by the characters attitudes, the events and the historical context of the movie plot. Two very classic gangster genre films are The Godfather and The Godfather Part Three. Critics have admired as well as panned these movies depending on the critics taste and film desires, however they all agree that they are classic illustrations of the gangster genre."
An examination of the director's use of emotional range in the gangsterfilms, "The Godfather," directed by Frances Ford Coppola, "Goodfellas," directed by Martin Scorsese and "Bonnie and Clyde," directed by Arthur Penn.
Abstract This paper examines three gangsterfilms in detail from the perspective of the director's use of evoking an emotional range in the viewer that causes the characters to be as powerful dead as they are alive. It specifically examines "The Godfather," directed by Frances Ford Coppola, "Goodfellas," directed by Martin Scorsese and "Bonnie and Clyde," directed by Arthur Penn.
From the Paper "In each of these films, the directors have been able to kill off main characters, and create character personas that were in death equally as large as they were in life in the minds of the audiences. These are very successful films because of all the elements of filmmaking that were successfully pulled together; casting, directing, editing, scripting and wardrobe. Each of the three films are formulas for successful gangster films, which is a genre that is difficult to fail with because it is one with which Americans are endlessly fascinated with. However, add to that fascination the elements of success in filmmaking formula, and it is a box office smash."
Abstract This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the war filmgenre, its history and examples of some of the films that have been identified as a war filmgenre. The writer provides a list of common characteristics of the genre and examines several historical as well as modern war movies -19th century ?Tearing Down the Spanish Flag"; "The Birth of a Nation" (D. W. Griffith); ?Full Metal Jacket"(Stanley Kubrick) and "Life is Beautiful" (Roberto Benigni).
From the Paper "The war film genre is also referred to as the anti-war film genre, since some of the war films do not only discuss war sentiments, but anti-war sentiments as well. War as a film genre ?often acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting (against nations or humankind) provide the primary plot or background for the action of the film.? Furthermore, war films can also be "paired" with other film genres, wherein the topic of war can be interspersed with comedy, drama, or romance as a co- or sub-genre of the film. Tim Dirks, in his article about the war film genre, enumerates several characteristics and themes that can often be found in war film genres:"
Abstract This paper describes some common filmgenres and subjects. It also discusses some generally untreated subjects, such as Native Americans. In addition, the paper provides a list and overview of the top Oscar winners of all-time. It concludes that the subjects, which filmmakers choose and audiences most enjoy, are those that are larger than life.
From the Paper "These are only five broad genres of film. We could add to these several additional genres and many sub-genres, which are more narrowly focused on specific subjects or people. Westerns, for example, were very popular during the 1940's and 50's. They focused on the cowboy and portrayed Native Americans in a generally unfavorable way. While some later films, such as Dances With Wolves (1990) with Kevin Costner treated Native Americans more favorably. This would be one example of a subject long missing from American film. In this regard Mel Gibson's recent Apocalypto about Meso-Americans is a relatively untouched topic as well about Native Americans."
This paper examines Norman Mailer's novel "The Naked and the Dead" in which the author incorporates the symbols, characters and narrative conventions of the WWII combat genre.
Abstract This paper details the introduction and perception of the WWII combat genre in both film and literature. The writer of this paper defines genre as an element consisting of a shared set of rules, symbols and story patterns. In Norman Mailer's novel, "The Naked and the Dead," the author engages the symbols, characters and narrative conventions of the combat genre in a complex dialogue, both enmeshing and reinforcing audience expectations. By tracing the minority character of Martinez in "The Naked and the Dead," one can see how Mailer incorporates the genre in a way that reflects both the unique capacities of the novel as a medium separate from that of film. This paper also expands on Mailer's particular view of film as an inadequate representation of the complexities of war and America. The writer of this paper contends that Mailer's novel must be read in the context of the combat filmgenre, which was well established in the memory of American audiences by 1948 as a frame of reference for understanding and justifying WWII. This paper clearly details the characteristics of Martinez which fits the conventional stereotype evolved from and established within the genre of the World War II combat film. The writer also discusses the significance of various WWII related films that were released in the 1940s including: "Bataan," "GI Joe" and "Home of the Brave."
From the Paper "The multiracial platoon acts as a symbol of democracy, functioning to distinguish Americans from a racist enemy, the Nazis. At the same time, the visual presence of minorities helps to legitimize 'good' racism (racism against the Japanese) by framing it with images of racial integration. Feigning inclusion of minorities is also a propaganda tactic aiming to harness collective support for the war. In Bataan there are four minorities: a Mexican-American, two Philipinos and a black man. The Philipinos are associated with nature; they are implicitly more primitive and closer to the enemy. The Mexican-American is associated with jazz music and a womanizing past, and the black man is associated with spirituality. All four characters die fairly early on in horrible barbaric deaths. In later movies, some or all of these characteristics may be lumped together into composite minority representatives."
Tags: literature, analysis, perception, film, industry, u.s., history, world, war, two
Abstract This paper examines filmgenres and indicates that they cannot be clearly identified to the exclusion of all other possibilities because genres overlap and intermix. The paper explains that genres are identified by plot elements, style of presentation, and tone, and many genres include several sub-genres identifying different plot types within the more general category. Several different movies are described in relation to their genres. The paper claims that intermixing genres and sub-genres keeps the art of film fresh and can produce entirely new genres.
From the Paper "Film genres are as often as not selling tools, ways of identifying the type of film offered to a potential audience. Yet, there are different genres in any art which involve repeated patterns of plot and tone. Film genres are differentiated according to plot and style, and there are many ways genres can overlap. A film can be identified as a mystery if it contains the elements of a mystery--a crime, a puzzle to be solved, suspects, a detective--but a film can have all these elements and be a comedy, using the mystery elements in a comic framework."
Tags: comedy, mystery, drama, suspense, thriller, plot, style, tone
This paper examines the horror filmgenre, also known as realist horror, while focusing on two specific films, "The Blair Witch Project" and "Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer."
Abstract This paper analyzes the realist horror genre in film. The realist horror genre was spearheaded by Alfred Hitchcock in his 1960 film "Psycho." Horror films proliferated throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in Hollywood. Most of these films used comedy to portray killings, veering away from realism. The writer of this paper contends that the realist aspect of actual human killers is enough to leave lingering fears long after the viewing has ended. This paper focuses on this particular style of filmmaking, in which the approach is to focus on the killer rather than victim, resulting in terrifying the viewing audience. This well-researched paper notes the similarities and differences in "The Blair Witch Project" and "Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer." This paper describes how both films leave the viewer with a lingering thought and fear of the real world. Specifically, fear of the horrific possibilities. "Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer" is based on real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. The movie follows the daily life of Henry, beginning with aftermath shots of freshly murdered victims juxtaposed with images of Henry. This illustrates to the audience that Henry is indeed a bona-fide serial killer. "The Blair Witch Project" is a far cry from the typical slasher film. It uses an entirely different approach to realist horror. The film is shown as a documentary and the actors are not actors at all, but real victims captured on video.
From the Paper "The presentation style changes only during the murder scenes. The pictures are graphic and almost too gory to be real. One woman is seen with a bottle shoved into her throat and the electronics salesman's head goes through a television picture tube - just before the television is plugged in - electrocuting him. Background electric guitar is also present mostly during the build up to a murder. It is not overdone and avoids appearing out of place. Rather, it helps the viewer realize something important in happening. Overall the film does achieve a realism most slasher films cannot approach. This purposeful use of a home-movie style subtly reminds the viewer that the onscreen events are based in truth. Blair Witch takes the realist style one step further by using the camera as a prop in the film. The viewer is constantly reminded that an off-screen character is behind the lens."
This paper examines plot and character development as well as the creative process involved in various horror films and focuses on how 'slasher' films have changed from the 1970s to the present.
Abstract The writer of this paper evaluates the horror film industry and discusses how story plots and characters are created. This paper alludes to the constantly advancing and improving computer generated visual effects that are practically a requirement in these types of films. This paper also examines how issues of sexuality and morality are incorporated into these types of movies and how the horror filmgenre has drastically changed from the 1970s to the present. Several films discussed in this paper include: "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Leatherface" and "Friday the 13th."
From the Paper "The horror films of the past were simpler, had a single-minded direction and probably did not have today's pressure to make a lot of money. Many of these films were original in thought, contained a creative element lost in much of today's horror. Today, the pressure is to show a lot of blood and gore, the more explicit, the better. There often appear the same themes and character roles over and over again.
In the past the "monster" is seen in numerous scenes by the film's characters without it being at that point a threat to the character."
Abstract This paper use the documentary film, "Capturing the Friedmans", to define and examine the documentary filmgenre. The paper analyzes "Capturing the Friedmans", and discusses what the family's home movies reveal about contemporary American family life and the dynamics of the family relationships.
From the Paper "According to Bill Nichols, every film is essentially a documentary, but true documentaries, as opposed to wish-fulfillment fictions, represent a unique genre of film that engages with the world as it exists in reality. Nichols says that the documentary engages with the world by representing it in one of three ways. First, documentaries offer a likeness or depiction of the world that bears a recognizable familiarity. Secondly, these films stand for or represent the interests of others. Third, some documentaries may represent the world..."
Abstract This essay discusses the aesthetic choices the Coen Brothers made throughout their career. It studies the films "Raising Arizona" for creative lens use in a farce, "Miller's Crossing" for camera angles in a gangsterfilm, "Fargo" for long takes in a police thriller and "The Man Who Wasn't There" for lighting in a film noir. The paper argues that through the use of aesthetics the Coens shape each genre they try with their own signature auteur style.
From the Paper "In a world where big-budget studios control most of what is seen in theatres, the Coen Brothers have managed to make independent features that they write, produce and direct as a team, and have had some moderate success. Their scripts often focus on unlikely heroes; they choose completely average people and places to become the focus of their quirky dialogue and situational comedy. Their charismatic "normal" characters have attracted a number of top actors and actresses to their projects, such as Holly Hunter, Nicholas Cage, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, and Francis McDormand. In fact, with a reputation for making quality films, although often commercial failures, some of Hollywood's most respected actors have lowered their usual salaries to appear in Coen films. Tim Robbins appeared with Paul Newman in The Hudsucker Proxy, between projects of his own in the early nineties, Jeff Bridges took the leading role in The Big Lebowski with Julianne Moore in a supporting part, George Clooney followed up his success on ER with the main role in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, and the Coens recruited Billy Bob Thorton and James Gandolfini for The Man Who Wasn?t There. These stars have helped the brothers propel their own names into stardom, despite the only moderate success of their feature films, and have made their pictures well-known cult classics."
Abstract "Films from a given period reflect the social attitudes of that time, no matter when they may be set in time. Thus, a science fiction film may exist in an imaginary future, but the attitudes are those of the time in which the film is made.
From the Paper "Films from a given period reflect the social attitudes of that time, no matter when they may be set in time. Thus, a science fiction film may exist in an imaginary future, but the attitudes are those of the time in which the film is made. The gangster film has a particular history of reflecting social and political concepts of the time when the film is made because of the effort to show the way society may cause crime and the effect crime in turn has on society. An interesting way of analyzing this is to examine the same story filmed in two different periods, such as the two versions of Scarface (1932 and 1983). Each takes an overt stance to the issue of the relationship between crime and society even as each also reflects different ideas of how the criminal is formed by his psychology. The two Scarfaces are motivated largely by a desire to get ahead in the ..."
Abstract The paper discusses Hong Kong-influenced films and explains how Hong Kong movies differ from other Asian movies. The paper offers three reasons why the industry has thrived in Hong Kong. The paper then examines the influence of Hong Kong cinema on American films and shows how Hong Kong filmmakers imitate American Western and gangsterfilms, while American filmmakers imitate the panache and energy of the Hong Kong versions.
From the Paper "Hollywood is known throughout the world for its motion pictures, a major cultural artifact both representing and explaining American culture to the rest of the world. Over the years, the size of the American industry has diminished as fewer and fewer films are produced each year. Hollywood is also not the largest film industry in the world in any case, for that would be in India, sometimes referred to as Bollywood. Another major area of production can be found in Hong Kong, and while the vast majority of films produced in Hong Kong never show in the United States, or at best show only in limited venues, the industry has become a major influence in Hollywood over the past decade or so, in part based on the success of Hong Kong films throughout Asia, a market the U.S. would like to get into more deeply; and in part because a number of Hong Kong filmmakers have been lured to the West and now work in Hollywood itself, among them actors Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-Fat and director Ang Lee."
Discusses development & evolution of this filmgenre, 1925-1950. Examines major elements, style, influences, themes, mythic resonances, directors, stars and films from "Little Caesar" (Mervyn LeRoy) to "White Heat" (Raoul Walsh).
2,925 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 6 sources, 1989, $ 103.95
From the Paper "This paper will present a discussion of the development and evolution of the genre of the gangster film. The paper will focus on how the gangster film genre matured and changed over time from the year 1925 through 1950. The paper will also discuss the major elements of the genre, as well as the style, influences, themes, and mythic resonance's contained in gangster films. Specific films, directors and stars of the gangster genre will also be discussed.
Throughout its development, the gangster film genre provided an index of the social, political and cultural values of the times. As a popular form, gangster films reflected the ideas and concerns, which held the attention of the general public. As the genre developed, the moral stance, which these films presented (...)"
