Laughing Screaming: Modern Hollywood Horror and Comedy

by William Paul

Concentrating on films produced during the 1970s-1980s, this study explores the social and psychological implications of horror and comedy on film in a discussion ranging from the classics of Chaplin and Hitchcock to 'movies that embrace the lowest common denominator as an aesthetic principle'.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 023108465X
• ISBN13: 9780231084659
• Release Date: April 1995
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Length: 550 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 22 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A Masterpiece of Film Criticism

An amazing analysis of the modern grossout film - written looking back at the the films of the late 70's and early 80's (Carrie, Animal House, etc). For a Film Professor, Paul actually appears to appreciate some of the films - at least, he doesn't lump them all together to condemn them. This is surprising. He examines them critically using Rabelais. I especially appreciated his analysis of HEAVEN HELP US - a fantastic movie that has long gone unnoticed. Many film critics talk about the collapse between "high" and "low" culture, but Paul actually takes this collapse seriously and engages critically with films that most of the elite wouldn't give a second thought. Bravo for that. One can also appreciate how prescient Paul's book is - he anticipates both the revival of the grossout comedy (American Pie, There's Something About Mary) and the return of the horror/slasher film (Scream, I Know What You did Last Summer) written at a time when most film critics were considering these genres dead.Only one thing - I would have loved for Paul to analyze my favorite early 80's sex comedy - THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN - perhaps, because it is not available on video, he wasn't able to find it, but LAV would've fit well with his analysis.