Gangster Films: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Reference to People, Films and Terms

by Michael L. Stephens

Overview

The conventions of gangster movies have become well known: the gum-chewing moll, the kiss of death, incorruptible G-men and well-dressed gangsters toting machine guns. The genre was first popularized in the silent era and has continued with such contemporary releases as Billy Bathgate and Bugsy.

Films, actors, directors, producers, cinematographers, plot devices, themes and more are included in this encyclopedic reference work to gangster films. For people, there are biographical sketches that focus on their work in gangster films. The film entries include year of release, distributor, cast and production credits, and a brief synopsis. Terms are placed in context of the genre, with relevant examples from gangster films given.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786437702
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	02/22/2008
Edition description:	ALT
Pages:	383
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.77(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Film historian Michael L. Stephens lives in Savannah, Georgia. He is also the author of Film Noir (2006) and Art Directors in Cinema (1998).

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction     

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA     

Selected Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

astonishingly thorough”—Film Review; “the best reference book on the subject I have encountered...an invaluable work, with a wealth of shrewd observation, facts and material not to be found elsewhere...invaluable...another winner from McFarland”—The Other Side of Show Business; “its listing and intelligent commentary make it worthwhile as both a fun read and an excellent resource”—Cinescape.

From the Publisher

"its listing and intelligent commentary make it worthwhile as both a fun read and an excellent resource"

Cinescape

the best reference book on the subject I have encountered...an invaluable work, with a wealth of shrewd observation, facts and material not to be found elsewhere...invaluable...another winner from McFarland

The Other Side of Show Business

astonishingly thorough

Film Review

From D. W. Griffith's 1912 silent The Musketeers of Pig Alley to the 1993 Billy Bathgate an encyclopedia with entries for films, actors, directors, producers, and cinematographers. The people get biographical sketches focusing on their work in gangster films. The movies get date, distributor, cast and production credits, and a brief plot synopsis. Illustrated with stills and publicity photos. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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