Screening Science Contexts, Texts, and

Screening Science examines the growth in the influence and power of the scientific paradigm in the fifties, through an examination of the film where such science was discussed, distorted, debated, denigrated, demonized and deified. This exploration reveals a great deal about the concerns of the time, as well as the science that figures so powerfully in the webs of culture of the fifties.

Dr. Errol Vieth is senior lecturer, School of Contemporary Communication, at Central Queensland University, Australia.

List of Illustrations

vii

List of Tables

ix

Preface

xi

Introduction

xiii

Part I Contexts

Science and Fiction

3

(46)

The genre according to the critics

9

(6)

The genre according to the writers

15

(8)

The boundaries of the science fiction film: Horror and fantasy

23

(6)

The genre web and genre threads

29

(4)

Stars in science fiction

33

(5)

Special effects and the science fiction film

38

(11)

Cultural and Historical Contexts

49

(48)

Grand narratives and the emergence of science fiction

50

(5)

Change and fear

55

(14)

The appearance of UFOs

69

(2)

Hollywood and the Pentagon

71

(3)

The social context

74

(9)

Audiences

83

(14)

Industrial Contexts

97

(40)

Changes in the industry

98

(8)

The challenge of television

106

(7)

The growth of drive-ins

113

(8)

Case studies

121

(4)

Special effects artists

125

(12)

Part II Science and Scientists

The (Liberating) Nature and (Rhetorical) Function of Science

137

(48)

The liberating nature of science

141

(4)

Change through tertiary education

145

(11)

Science as dangerous change: The conservative paradigm

156

(4)

Nuclear holocaust: The responsibility of science

160

(2)

The rhetorical function of science

162

(23)

Medical and Psychological Science

185

(26)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

189

(6)

Invaders from Mars

195

(6)

Amazing Colossal Man

201

(4)

The Thing

205

(6)

Epilogue

211

(4)

Filmography

215

(28)

Bibliography

243

(14)

Index

257

(6)

About the Author

263

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Screening Science Contexts, Texts, and Science in Fifties Science Fiction Film

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials