Description
Book SynopsisThis is the first full-length study of one of the most popular, profitable and persistent genres in British cinema. It redraws the map of British film history by arguing that comedy was the most successful, and important, genre of the 1930s, and that the very qualities which ensured the comedy film's low status are also its particular strengths.
Trade Review
'It is only recently that the film comedies have come into focus. And this book is the most thorough investigation into the matter, concentrating on an period of growth for the British film industry in which, as David Sutton convincingly argues, British film comedy reached its maturity.' (Film & History. An Interdisciplinary Journal of Film and Television Studies Vol 32.1, 2002)
'The study is lively, well informed and thoughtful, and does not fall into the trap of some critical treatments of comedy which, in their drive for analytical rigour, fail to appreciate the humour in their subject. The best compliment that can be paid to a work of excavation is that it instills in the reader an urgent desire to experience the films.' (Scope: An Online Journal of Film Studies, 2001)
'One of the most useful recent theoretical discussions of comedy.' (Screening the Past, 2001)
'Sensible, thoughtful and wide-ranging . . . This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the 1930s in particular, and British film comedy in general.' (Journal of Popular British Cinema, Vol. 4, 2001)
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. British Film Comedy/British Film Culture
2. Theorizing British Comedy
3. Good Old Days: Music-Hall Roots and Early Film Comedy
4. British Film Comedy in the 1930's
5. Working-Class Comedy
6. Middle-Class Comedy
7. Female Comedy
8. Situation Comedy
Conclusion
Notes
Filmography
Bibliography
Index
