"Psycho" in America: Gender politics, movie culture, and the horror film in Cold War America
by Baldwin, Ian, M.A., UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, 2010, 139 pages; 1484633

Abstract:

In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho was released in the United States and instantly became one of the most popular horror films of all times. Since its debut, the film has continually been a staple in American popular culture, but its appeal and importance was directly related to the era in which it was made. Although it has rarely been seen as such, Psycho was fundamentally a domestic Cold War film that explored ideologies that were central to American culture in the 1940s and 1950s. Cold War anxieties such as Momism, marriage, sexuality, and the nuclear family were central elements to the film. This study seeks to tie Psycho to its historical roots and to fully integrate it into the American Cold War landscape as well as explore the issues of movie culture, showmanship, and marketing tactics which also helped endear the film to fans and critics alike.

 
AdviserJeannie M. Whayne
SchoolUNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
SourceMAI/ 48-05, p. , May 2010
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsAmerican history; Women's studies; Film studies
Publication Number1484633
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