Customer Reviews

The Sixties: 1960-1969

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Though I hesitate to criticize any portion of the "History of the American Cinema" series, just because the whole is so encyclopedic and overdue and absorbing, I would nonetheless have to agree with Mr. Samerdyke that this entry leaves some things to be desired. As compared to others in the set (particularly "The Emergence of Cinema," which discusses film up to 1907, and "Lost Illusions," which covers the 1970's), this edition comes off thin. The seminal films and major stars discussed seem selective at best, and there simply isn't the quantity of subtext that makes David Cook's "Lost Illusions" such a fascinating and enlightening read. A notable omission is the significance of passing film generations during this decade; giants such as Gable, Grant, Tracy and Hepburn virtually (or literally) passed out of the industry during the 1960's, yet the impact of this warrants scant if any mention.

That having been said, there are strong points, such as the discussion of nonfiction films and the analysis of the more groundbreaking films from these years (and the book definitely told me some things about Jerry Lewis that I didn't know). On the whole, I would recommend "The Sixties" as a worthwhile introduction to the cinema of this period, or for completists (such as myself) who want to own this entire, wonderful series. For the hardcore film student looking to learn something new, however, this will be an interesting read but will likely come up a little short in terms of fresh perspectives.

Mr. Monaco does a good job explaining the changes that American film went through in the Sixties. However, although I agree with a lot of what he says, the organization of the material in this book baffles me.

He has a chapter on landmark films of the Sixties. There is a still from Psycho on the front of the book, but he discusses Psycho AFTER he has discussed landmark Sixties films from David and Lisa to Easy Rider. He discusses The Wild Bunch before he discusses Bonnie and Clyde.

And that is just one chapter. Elsewhere, he discusses the TV broadcast of the Oscar ceremony in a different chapter than he discusses the films that won the Oscar. I can't see the logic in that.

He does a good job in detailing the contribution of editors, cinematographers and composers to changing American film in the Sixties, but there is no comparable section on directors. Another glaring omission is when he talks about male stars who became prominent in the decade, and never mentions Clint Eastwood. (The only time the spaghetti westerns are mentioned is when he discusses changes in sound technology.)

Again, Monaco's conclusions and judgments are fair and on the money, but the organization of this book drives me nuts.

Mr. Monaco does a good job explaining the changes that American film went through in the Sixties. However, although I agree with a lot of what he says, the organization of the material in this book baffles me.

He has a chapter on landmark films of the Sixties. There is a still from Psycho on the front of the book, but he discusses Psycho AFTER he has discussed landmark Sixties films from David and Lisa to Easy Rider. He discusses The Wild Bunch before he discusses Bonnie and Clyde.

And that is just one chapter. Elsewhere, he discusses the TV broadcast of the Oscar ceremony in a different chapter than he discusses the films that won the Oscar. I can't see the logic in that.

He does a good job in detailing the contribution of editors, cinematographers and composers to changing American film in the Sixties, but there is no comparable section on directors. Another glaring omission is when he talks about male stars who became prominent in the decade, and never mentions Clint Eastwood. (The only time the spaghetti westerns are mentioned is when he discusses changes in sound technology.)

Again, Monaco's conclusions and judgments are fair and on the money, but the organization of this book drives me nuts.