Overview

At least three of director Jacques Tourneur's films—Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie and The Leopard Man—are recognized as horror classics. Yet his contributions to these films are often minimized by scholars, with most of the credit going to the films' producer, Val Lewton. A detailed examination of the director's full body of work reveals that those elements most evident in the Tourneur-Lewton collaborations—the lack of monsters and the stylized use of suggested violence—are equally apparent in Tourneur's films before and after his work with Lewton. Mystery and sensuality were hallmarks of his style, and he possessed a highly artistic visual and aural style. This insightful critical study examines each of Tourneur's films, as well as his extensive work on MGM shorts (1936-1942) and in television. What emerges is evidence of a highly coherent directorial style that runs throughout Tourneur's works.

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9780786466115

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Reviews

interesting...important --<i>Public Library Quarterly</i>; this intelligent, thorough study must be considered as definitive --<i>SFRA Review</i>; excellent --<i>San Francisco Examiner Magazine</i>; comprehensive study...thoughtful, meticulously researched study...highly readable --<i>Film & Film Culture</i>; a valuable examination of one of Hollywood's most neglected talents --<i>Film Review</i>; a worthy, well-written and -researched tribute --<i>Bright Lights Film Journal</i>; perceptive, impeccably-documented...the author elaborates...with an ease and command of critical language that makes every page diverting --<i>RetroVision</i>; Tourneur's place in film history cannot be overexaggerated...excellently written foreword by none other than Martin Scorsese. The biographical section of the book is riveting in its detail...horror film fans will be most interested in Fujiwara's analysis...obviously essential for a Tourneur fan...thorough, unique, and perceptive --<i>Monsters from the Vault</i>; the first in-depth exploration of Tourneur's entire career...detailed...informative...immensely readable...insightful...comprehensive...essential...well researched --<i>Cult Movies</i>; combines a fan's enthusiasm with a scholar's rigour...thoroughly researched and perceptive --<i>Rue Morgue</i>; immensely readable...fascinating account of the <i>Cat People</i> auteur's life, work and unique approach to filmmaking --<i>VideoScope</i>; wise, well-written and invaluable --<i>Shock Cinema</i>; fascinating...informative --<i>Mad About Movies</i>; a lot of work went into this book...and it shows --<i>Classic Images</i>; everything by the underappreciated French born director is covered --<i>Psychotronic</i>; comprehensive --<i>AB Bookman's Weekly</i>; the first real look at Tourneur's career...very interesting --<i>Little Shoppe of Horrors.</i>

Author Information

Chris Fujiwara is a freelance writer. He lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.

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