The Politics and Sociology of Silent Comedy Films - Early American Cinema, 1895-1915

Comedies were among the first films ever made, and comedy played a critical and often overlooked role in the early development of cinema. This original book holistically examines the political and sociological dimensions of silent comedy films and the motion picture industry at the turn of the 20th century. Richard Waterman takes a unique social science approach to the cinematic ecosystem and its development during this era, studying the wider context - the interconnected social, political, economic, and technological movements and forces - that shaped film production, distribution, and consumption in this pivotal period in the history of film and culture. These include moral standards and censorship, class, racism, antisemitism, sexism, and the global film market. Additionally, the book analyzes specific films in-depth to mine their themes, social context, and impact. Bridging the humanities and social sciences, this is a distinctive and valuable contribution to the study of early cinema.

About the author

Richard W. Waterman is Professor of Political Science at the University of Kentucky. He is also former President of the Southwestern Political Science Association. He has published books on the American presidency, the politics of the bureaucracy, and environmental politics.

Product details

• Authors: Richard W Waterman, Richard W. Waterman
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 02.06.2025
• EAN: 9783111573588
• ISBN: 978-3-11-157358-8
• No. of pages: 207
• Weight: 428 g
• Illustrations: 6 b/w ill., 1 b/w tbl.
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Media, communication > Media science; Film, Popkultur, Filmgenres, Stummfilm, Filmtheorie, Humour, Film-, Fernseh-, Radio-Genres: Comedy und Humor, SOC026000 SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, Filmkomödie, LIT016000 LITERARY CRITICISM / Humor, HIS036000 HISTORY / United States / General, Sociology of Film, history of film, Film & Politics, Comedy Films, Politischer Film, Massenmedien / Soziologie, Silent Films, Politik , Comedy History, Popular Culture & Politics, History of Comedy, Filmgeschichtsschreibung