Historical Dictionary of Crime Films
By (author) Geoff Mayer
Publication date:
13 September 2012Length of book:
514 pagesPublisher
Scarecrow PressISBN-13: 9780810867697
The crime film genre consists of detective films, gangster films, suspense thrillers, film noir, and caper films and is produced throughout the world. Crime film was there at the birth of cinema, and it has accompanied cinema over more than a century of history, passing from silent films to talkies, from black-and-white to color. The genre includes such classics as The Maltese Falcon, The Godfather, Gaslight, The French Connection, and Serpico, as well as more recent successes like Seven, Drive, and L.A. Confidential.
The Historical Dictionary of Crime Films covers the history of this genre through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries on key films, directors, performers, and studios. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about crime cinema.
The Historical Dictionary of Crime Films covers the history of this genre through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries on key films, directors, performers, and studios. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about crime cinema.
Crime films have a long, sustained history. Differentiated from thrillers, crime films focus more on crime and the law rather than violence itself. This book’s historical look at crime examines genres including detective, gangster, caper, and film noir. Mayer, an Australian film historian and academician, brings an international focus to the work. Crime films in different countries have unique perspectives about crime films, which are addressed in this volume, particularly the lengthy introduction. A 30-page chronology of international crime films covers 1900 to 2010. The main section of the book provides an alphabetical treatment of films; people (e.g., authors, directors, writers); and concepts involved in this genre. Entries vary from a paragraph to 4 pages, with the majority of covering people, whose entries include vital dates and chronological histories of their contributions....Cross-references are indicated by boldface terms. The overall tone is objective, with analysis strongest in entries that address films in different countries. An extensive 40-page bibliography is organized topically and then by geography....Providing basic reference information for crime films, this book covers relevant contributions to the genre and is recommended for public and academic collections.