1920s
1970s
1980s
A01=Desiree J. Garcia
adapt
African American
Alla en el Rancho Grande
American art forms
American individualism
audiences
Author_Desiree J. Garcia
Category=JBFH
Category=JBSL
Communications
comparative historical study
cultural traditions
Desiree J. Garcia
environments
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=0
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
escapist entertainment
Ethnic Studies
ethnic traditions
family values
Film
film industry archives
filmmakers
folk musical
folk musicals
genre resurgence
history
Hollywood mainstream
Hollywood musical
illustrative approach
immigrants
mainstream entertainment
marginal productions
Media
melting pot
Mexican filmmakers
migrants
migration
minority
mobility
movie musicals
musical film
pursuit of dreams
Race
rarely studied films
self-expression
significant moments
sound films
sub-genre
The Migration of Musical Film
The Wizard of Oz
themes
Yiddish filmmakers
Zoot Suit
Product details
- ISBN 9780813568645
- Weight: 445g
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 01 Aug 2014
- Publisher: Rutgers University Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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Movie musicals are among the most quintessentially American art forms, often celebrating mobility, self-expression, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. But like America itself, the Hollywood musical draws from many distinct ethnic traditions. In this illuminating new study, DesirÉe J. Garcia examines the lesser-known folk musicals from early African American, Yiddish, and Mexican filmmakers, revealing how these were essential ingredients in the melting pot of the Hollywood musical.
The Migration of Musical Film shows how the folk musical was rooted in the challenges faced by immigrants and migrants who had to adapt to new environments, balancing American individualism with family values and cultural traditions. Uncovering fresh material from film industry archives, Garcia considers how folk musicals were initially marginal productions, designed to appeal to specific minority audiences, and yet introduced themes that were gradually assimilated into the Hollywood mainstream.
No other book offers a comparative historical study of the folk musical, from the first sound films in the 1920s to the genre’s resurgence in the 1970s and 1980s. Using an illustrative rather than comprehensive approach, Garcia focuses on significant moments in the sub-genre and rarely studied films such as AllÁ en el Rancho Grande along with familiar favorites that drew inspiration from earlier folk musicals-everything from The Wizard of Oz to Zoot Suit. If you think of movie musicals simply as escapist mainstream entertainment, The Migration of Musical Film is sure to leave you singing a different tune.
The Migration of Musical Film shows how the folk musical was rooted in the challenges faced by immigrants and migrants who had to adapt to new environments, balancing American individualism with family values and cultural traditions. Uncovering fresh material from film industry archives, Garcia considers how folk musicals were initially marginal productions, designed to appeal to specific minority audiences, and yet introduced themes that were gradually assimilated into the Hollywood mainstream.
No other book offers a comparative historical study of the folk musical, from the first sound films in the 1920s to the genre’s resurgence in the 1970s and 1980s. Using an illustrative rather than comprehensive approach, Garcia focuses on significant moments in the sub-genre and rarely studied films such as AllÁ en el Rancho Grande along with familiar favorites that drew inspiration from earlier folk musicals-everything from The Wizard of Oz to Zoot Suit. If you think of movie musicals simply as escapist mainstream entertainment, The Migration of Musical Film is sure to leave you singing a different tune.
DESIRÉE J. GARCIA is an assistant professor in the Program in Film and Media Studies at Arizona State University. Formerly a producer for the PBS documentary series American Experience, she has published numerous articles and book chapters on film spectatorship and the American musical.
