Hello and welcome all to another issue of POVwinona, this time taking focus to the “Action” genre, and how a variety of sub-genres, and cinematic tropes helped to carve out one of the most exciting and successful genres of film.
Starting things off, Blake Gasner examines the stunt work of silent cinemas Harry Lloyd as “the boy” in 1923’s Safety Last! While Lloyd isn’t as famous as other silent stars Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin, his work was undeniably important in growing the possibilities for the action genre. Next, Joe Van Ryn explores one of the defining war films of the genre, 1931’s All Quiet on the Western Front. Joe sets up what the film deconstructs about war itself on the humans effected, as well as the film making and action techniques it established as a war/action genre blend. McKenna Scherer fleshes out the classic Howard Hawks gangster film 1932’s Scarface. She compares it to the culture it was made in at the time, as well as the well-played gangster genre of the time. Finally, Brinley Zoller expands the impact that 1950’s King Solomon’s Mines has had on the action genre in transition for adventure films that preceded and eventually followed.
We thank you for your participation in reading this film criticism and analysis, be on the look out for the next batch of blogs focusing on where the action genre has gone headed into this century, as well as podcasts discussing the WSU Resilience Film Series.
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