The Gangster Film Reader (Softcover) [Paperback]

Alain Silver (Author), James Ursini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007

In the 1930s the gangster film in the United States coincided with a very real and very sensational gangsterism at large in American society. Little Caesar (1931), The Public Enemy (1931), and Scarface (1932) borrowed liberally from the newspapers and books of the era. With the release of just these three motion pictures in barely more than a year's time, Hollywood quintessentially defined the genre. The characters, the situations, and the icons-from fast cars and tommy-guns to fancy fedoras and fancier molls-established the audience expectations associated with the gangster film that remain in force to this day. As with their Film Noir Reader series, using both reprints of seminal articles and new pieces, editors Silver and Ursini have assembled a group of essays that presents an exhaustive overview of this still vital genre. Reprints of work by such well-known film historians as Robin Wood, Andrew Sarris, Carlos Clarens, Paul Schrader, and Stuart Kaminsky explore the evolution of the gangster film through the 1970s and The Godfather. Parts 2 and 3 comprise two dozen newer articles, most of them written expressly for this volume by Ursini and Silver. These case studies and thematic analyses, from White Heat to the remake of Scarface to "The Sopranos," complete the anthology.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alain Silver is a successful film journalist and author. His articles have appeared in publications such as Film Comment and the Los Angeles Times. James Ursini is author and co-author of more than 20 film-histories. He is also a noted DVD commentator for both Fox and Warner Bros. film companies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879103329
• ISBN-13: 978-0879103323
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Film libraries will consider it a 'must', June 17, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gangster Film Reader (Softcover) (Paperback)

The rise of the popular gangster film genre began in the early 1930s to reflect the real history and rise of gangsterism in American society, producing early classics which would be released back to back, were modeled on newspaper and real-life situations, and which would bring gangsterism to the public eye by defining and surveying notorious personalities and groups. GANGSTER FILM READER reviews the genre through reprints of key articles, new essays and critical analysis produced for this collection, and over 200 original photos. Film libraries will consider it a 'must', while many a college-level library on social issues will also find the topic relevant to 20th century American history discussions.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful, March 8, 2007

By 

LBWheels457 (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gangster Film Reader (Softcover) (Paperback)

This book was so informative and very easy to read! As a movie lover, this book was absolutely amazing in the stories that it told! It's a must read for any gangster movie fan!