Politics, Domestic and Otherwise in (Mostly) Contemporary Drama
Tuesdays (Hybrid)
10:30 a.m.–12:00 noon
John Clum

Register for Stage and Screen

Classics from the Hollywood Studio System (1927-1945)

This course will cover some of the best non-musical films made by the Hollywood Studios from the beginning of the sound era until the end of World War II. We will look at film genres, studio styles, major actors and directors and Hollywood’s presentation of gender roles. We’ll also look at the way the films reflect the depression and World War II.

Some of the films to be discussed:

From the 1930s
My Man Godfrey
The Grapes of Wrath
It Happened One Night
Little Caesar
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
King Kong
Bride of Frankenstein

From the 1940s
Citizen Kane
Sullivan’s Travels
The Lady Eve
Double Indemnity
Casablanca
Shadow of a Doubt
Notorious

John Clum taught courses in acting, dramatic literature, playwriting, and the history of theatre and film at Duke University, where he was Professor of Theater Studies and English. He has directed almost 100 productions of everything ranging from Shakespeare to many premieres of contemporary plays to opera and musicals. John has written eleven books and 75 essays on modern and contemporary drama, musical theatre, film, television and opera. He is now President of the Edward Albee Society. He has been elected a Lifetime Member of the College of Fellows of American Theatre.