Paul Bartel: The Life and Films

by Stephen B. Armstrong

Overview

Director Paul Bartel enjoyed poking holes in the expectations of audiences and critics with amusing films about murder, greed and transgressive sex—among them Death Race 2000 (1975), Eating Raoul (1982) and Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills (1989). He believed that strange stories that aroused laughter had the potential to disorient viewers and challenge their beliefs about American culture and values.

This first book-length study of Bartel's life and work traces his emergence as an independent auteur whose work was praised by Hollywood luminaries like Steven Spielberg, Jim Jarmusch and Brian De Palma. Bartel's experiences as a gay man are explored. Interviews with people who knew him—including Roger Corman, Joe Dante and John Waters—are provided, along with critical analysis of each film.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786499151
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	05/08/2017
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Stephen B. Armstrong is a professor of English at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. His articles and reviews have appeared in numerous publications, including Film Quarterly, Film Score Monthly, Classic Images and Films of the Golden Age.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: The Discreet Charm of Paul Bartel
Part One: The Life of Paul Bartel
1. Growing Up
2. Early Experience
3. The Cormans
4. More Fun at New World
5. Independent
6. In Demand
7. About Men and Women
Part Two: Interviews
Joe Dante
Allan Arkush
Roger Corman
Richard Blackburn
John Waters
Part Three: Film and Television Work
An Excrescence of Style: Paul Bartel and the Grotesque
Directing Credits
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index