Reelpolitik II Political Ideologies in '50s and '60s Films

Reelpolitik II moves past typical left-right political distinctions to examine political ideologies cycling through U.S. history during the '50s and '60s. These eight Cold War movies especially equipped the moviegoer with a unique vantage point to scrutinize the arms race, the Red Scare, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. They also helped audiences to observe the way film functions as a purveyor of American mythology, a megaphone to shout political messages, a metaphorical route to the emotions, a flattering mirror, an unflattering microscope, and a magic carpet ride back to the future. Visit our website for sample chapters!

Beverly Merrill Kelley is full professor and founder of the communication department at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California