Understanding Disney: The Manufacture of Fantasy / Edition 1

by Janet Wasko

Overview

Since the 1930s the Walt Disney Company has produced characters,images, and stories which have captivated audiences around theworld. How can we understand the appeal of Disney products? What isit about the Disney phenomenon that attracts so many children aswell as adults?


In this major new book, Janet Wasko examines the processes by whichthe Disney company - one of the largest media and entertainmentcorporations in the world - manufactures the fantasies whichenthrall millions. She analyses the historical expansion of theDisney empire, examines the content of Disney's classic films,cartoons and TV programs and shows how they are produced,considering how some of the same techniques have been applied tothe Disney theme parks. She also discusses the reception of Disneyproducts by different kinds of audiences. By looking at the Disneyphenomenon from a variety of perspectives, she provides a fresh andcomprehensive account of one of the most significant media andcultural institutions of our time.


This important book by a leading scholar of the entertainmentindustries will be of great interest to students in media andcultural studies and will appeal to a wide readership.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745614847
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/28/2001
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Janet Wasko is Professor of Communication at the University of Oregon, Eugene.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments vii

1 Introducing the Disney Universe 1

2 Disney History(ies) 6

3 The Disney Empire 28

4 Corporate Disney in Action 70

5 Analyzing the World According to Disney 108

6 Dissecting Disney’s Worlds 153

7 Disney and the World 183

8 Living Happily Ever After? 219

Notes 226

Index 257

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

'Janet Wasko's Understanding Disney is a comprehensive critical examination of the Disney company and its operations. This is an ambitious, thoughtful and exciting book - one of the most important books in media studies in years, and it deserves the attention of scholars and students everywhere.' Robert W. McChesney, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

'Janet Wasko, one of the foremost political economists of communication, turns her considerable skills and energy to analysing the nearly endless flow of Disney products worldwide. The result is an E-ticket ride for everyone, from general readers to Disney specialists.' Susan Davis, University of California, San Diego

Editorial Reviews

'Janet Wasko's Understanding Disney is a comprehensivecritical examination of the Disney company and its operations. Thisis an ambitious, thoughtful and exciting book - one of the mostimportant books in media studies in years, and it deserves theattention of scholars and students everywhere.' Robert W.McChesney, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

'Janet Wasko, one of the foremost political economists ofcommunication, turns her considerable skills and energy toanalysing the nearly endless flow of Disney products worldwide. Theresult is an E-ticket ride for everyone, from general readers toDisney specialists.' Susan Davis, University of California, SanDiego

From the Publisher