Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Preface vii
4. About this Book ix
5. 1 Who Needs Genres? 1
6. 2 Before Genre: Melodrama 29
7. Part 1: Classical Paradigms
8. Introduction 53
9. 3 The Western: Genre and History 54
10. 4 The Musical: Genre and Form 82
11. 5. The War/Combat Film: Genre and Nation 105
12. 6. The Gangster Film: Genre and Society 132
13. Part 2: Transitional Fantasies
14. Introduction 157
15. 7. The Horror Film 158
16. 8. The Science Fiction Film 182
17. Part 3: Post-Classical Genres
18. Introduction 209
19. 9. Film Noir 210
20. 10. The Action Blockbuster 233
21. 11. Genre: Breaking the Frame 257
22. 12. Conclusion: Transgenre? 273
23. Bibliography 279
24. Index 297