Next Train's Gone!
Will Hay: An Alternative View of British National Identity
Nonfiction, Entertainment, Film, History & Criticism, Performing Arts, Art & Architecture, General Art, Art Technique
| Author: | Amanda J Field | ISBN: | 9781909183810 |
| Publisher: | Andrews UK | Publication: | March 24, 2015 |
| Imprint: | Chaplin Books | Language: | English |
| Author: | Amanda J Field |
| ISBN: | 9781909183810 |
| Publisher: | Andrews UK |
| Publication: | March 24, 2015 |
| Imprint: | Chaplin Books |
| Language: | English |
In the 1930s, British film producers and critics championed the idea of ‘quality’ pictures - thoughtful, intelligent films that would project a particular and positive view of Britain. The result was to drive a wedge between ‘national’ cinema (which reflected middle-class values) and ‘popular’ cinema (which reflected the working-class values of the majority of cinema audiences). ‘Popular’ became a term of abuse, particularly directed at comedies, whose roots often lay in music-hall. A very different image of Britain emerges from these comedies, as this insightful analysis of two Will Hay films - Oh Mr Porter (1937) and Ask a Policeman (1939) reveals.
In the 1930s, British film producers and critics championed the idea of ‘quality’ pictures - thoughtful, intelligent films that would project a particular and positive view of Britain. The result was to drive a wedge between ‘national’ cinema (which reflected middle-class values) and ‘popular’ cinema (which reflected the working-class values of the majority of cinema audiences). ‘Popular’ became a term of abuse, particularly directed at comedies, whose roots often lay in music-hall. A very different image of Britain emerges from these comedies, as this insightful analysis of two Will Hay films - Oh Mr Porter (1937) and Ask a Policeman (1939) reveals.
