Description
Book SynopsisPresents an argument that the coming of sound inspired more in the massively influential horror movies than screams, creaking doors, and howling wolves. This book makes a case for understanding film viewing as a force that can powerfully shape both the minutest aspects of individual films and the broadest sweep of film production trends.
Trade Review"Rich, insightful book... A poetic and clever analysis, presenting impressive historical scholarship with panache." Choice "Well-researched and persuasive... Uncanny Bodies impressively persuades one to think anew about films." Film Quarterly "Original and stimulating." -- Anneleen Masschelein Image & Narrative "Spadoni's analysis is intriguing." Metro Newspapers "Contributes substantially to the history of film sound as well as the history of classic horror cinema... Lucid, accessible prose." Hist Journal Of Film, Rad, TV "Profoundly original ... Thanks to Robert Spadoni we can now see and hear Dracula and Frankenstein in a fresh light." Music, Sound & The Moving Image "Readers interested in the transition from silent to sound film will find Uncanny Bodies intriguing for its focus specifically on horror films... [He offers a] tight argument and detailed background information on the period." -- Steffen Hantke Film Criticism
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. THE UNCANNY BODY OF EARLY SOUND FILM The Shrinking of Personality The Return of the Medium-Sensitive Viewer The Complexion of the Thing Shadows in Three Dimensions A Modality 2. LUDICROUS OBJECTS, TEXTUALIZED RESPONSES Films as Mirrors of Viewer Response The Hollywood Revue of 1929 Two Ventriloquism Films Svengali 3. THE MYSTERY OF DRACULA Real Emotional Horror Kick The Mystery of Dracula? The Vampire's Hiss and the Madman's Laugh 4. DRACULA AS UNCANNY THEATER Figure Ground 5. FRANKENSTEIN AND THE VATS OF HOLLYWOOD Strong Meat and Monster Food Frankenstein and the Uncanny of Early Sound Film Frankenstein and the Uncanny of Silent Film From Modality to Monad Conclusion Notes Bibliography Films Cited Index
