Cold War Cinema: Public Classroom

If you miss the experience of discussing film in a university setting, join film historian Prof. Andy Scahill for a semester-long exploration of one of the most compelling periods of American film history! You can join for one class or the entire semester!

The course is open to the public, though registration is required to reserve your spot. Payment is bnot required, though guests are asked to provide a donation (suggested $15) to Rainbow Cult, Prof. Scahill's nonprofit which provides immersive film experiences for the LGBT and allied cummunities. More info at rainbowcult.org
In this course, we will examine the film industry during a time of economic abundance and population expansion, alongside profound anxieties regarding the atomic bomb, Communist infiltration, the Civil Rights movement, and shifting gender roles. We will also delve into the industry's challenges in the 1950s as it struggled to transition from a vertical monopoly model and faced competition from the emerging medium of television.

NOTE: All class meetings are in North Classroom Room 1535. Entry to the building is restricted to students with a university ID, so please allow for extra time to allow a student to let you in the building.

COURSE SCHEDULE

1 | 08/21 | Atomic Cafe (1982) in class
Lev, “Introduction”

2 | 08/28 | Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Lev, Ch. 1

Wylie, from Generation of Vipers

Photoplay magazine

3 | 09/04 | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Holt, “The Ideal Woman”

Arbuthnot/Seneca, “Pretext in Gentlemen Prefer…”

4 | 09/11 | Gojira (1953)

Lev, Ch 5

Noriega, “Godzilla and the Japanese Nightmare”

5 | 09/18 | On the Waterfront (1954)
Lev, Ch 3
Doherty, “Gestalt of the Blacklist”

6 | 09/25 | Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

May, from Homeward Bound

Broderick, “Armageddon Without a Cause” [summary]

7 | 10/02 | Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Lev, Ch 4

The Production Code

8 | 10/09 | The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

Lev, Ch 9

Men’s Adventure Magazines

9 | 10/16 | A Face in the Crowd (1957)

Brinkley, “Illusion of Unity”

10 | 10/23 | Vertigo (1958)

Modleski, “Femininity by Design”

11 | 10/30 | I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)

Lev, Ch 10

Scahill, “Invasion of the Husband Snatchers”

12 | 11/06 | Imitation of Life (1959)

Pass, “Race and Authenticity: A Film Study on Douglas Sirk’s Imitation of Life”

13 | 11/13 | The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Nadel, “Containment Culture”

Rogin, “Kiss Me Deadly” [summary]

14 | 11/20 | Nina Simone in Concert (1964)

Feldstein, “‘I Don’t Trust You Anymore: Nina Simone…”

Thanksgiving Break | (November 25 - December 1)

15 | 12/04 | Dr. Strangelove; or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and… (1964)

Lev, Ch 12

Various, from “The Kubrick Corner”

16 | 12/11 | Final Project presentations

Host or Publisher Rainbow Cult