A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television

A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786437162
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 504

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Book Description
Since its inception in November 1963, the British science fiction television series Doctor Who has exerted an enormous impact on the world of science fiction (over 1,500 books have been written about the show). The series follows the adventures of a mysterious "Time Lord" from the distant planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space to fight evil and injustice. Along the way, he has visited Rome under the rule of Nero, played backgammon with Kublai Khan, and participated in the mythic gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Predating the Star Trek phenomenon by three years, Doctor Who seriously dealt with continuing characters, adult genre principles and futuristic philosophies. Critical and historical examinations of the ideas, philosophies, conceits and morals put forth in the Doctor Who series, which ran for 26 seasons and 159 episodes, are provided here. Also analyzed are thematic concepts, genre antecedents, the overall cinematography and the special effects of the long-running cult favorite. The various incarnations of Doctor Who, including television, stage, film, radio, and spin-offs are discussed. In addition, the book provides an extensive listing of print, Internet, and fan club resources for Doctor Who.

A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television

A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476604541
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 504

Get Book Here

Book Description
Since its inception in November 1963, the British science fiction television series Doctor Who has exerted an enormous impact on the world of science fiction (over 1,500 books have been written about the show). The series follows the adventures of a mysterious "Time Lord" from the distant planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space to fight evil and injustice. Along the way, he has visited Rome under the rule of Nero, played backgammon with Kublai Khan, and participated in the mythic gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Predating the Star Trek phenomenon by three years, Doctor Who seriously dealt with continuing characters, adult genre principles and futuristic philosophies. Critical and historical examinations of the ideas, philosophies, conceits and morals put forth in the Doctor Who series, which ran for 26 seasons and 159 episodes, are provided here. Also analyzed are thematic concepts, genre antecedents, the overall cinematography and the special effects of the long-running cult favorite. The various incarnations of Doctor Who, including television, stage, film, radio, and spin-offs are discussed. In addition, the book provides an extensive listing of print, Internet, and fan club resources for Doctor Who.

A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television

A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786437162
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 504

Get Book Here

Book Description
Since its inception in November 1963, the British science fiction television series Doctor Who has exerted an enormous impact on the world of science fiction (over 1,500 books have been written about the show). The series follows the adventures of a mysterious "Time Lord" from the distant planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space to fight evil and injustice. Along the way, he has visited Rome under the rule of Nero, played backgammon with Kublai Khan, and participated in the mythic gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Predating the Star Trek phenomenon by three years, Doctor Who seriously dealt with continuing characters, adult genre principles and futuristic philosophies. Critical and historical examinations of the ideas, philosophies, conceits and morals put forth in the Doctor Who series, which ran for 26 seasons and 159 episodes, are provided here. Also analyzed are thematic concepts, genre antecedents, the overall cinematography and the special effects of the long-running cult favorite. The various incarnations of Doctor Who, including television, stage, film, radio, and spin-offs are discussed. In addition, the book provides an extensive listing of print, Internet, and fan club resources for Doctor Who.

A Critical History of Television's The Twilight Zone, 1959-1964

A Critical History of Television's The Twilight Zone, 1959-1964 PDF Author: Don Presnell
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 147661038X
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
Rod Serling's anthology series The Twilight Zone is recognized as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Always intelligent and thought-provoking, the show used the conventions of several genres to explore such universal qualities as violence, fear, prejudice, love, death, and individual identity. This comprehensive reference work gives a complete history of the show, from its beginning in 1959 to its final 1964 season, with critical commentaries, incisive analyses, and the most complete listing of casts and credits ever published. Biographical profiles of writers and contributors are included, followed by detailed appendices, bibliography and index.

Doctor Who in Time and Space

Doctor Who in Time and Space PDF Author: Gillian I. Leitch
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786465492
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 299

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Book Description
This collection of fresh essays addresses a broad range of topics in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, both old (1963-1989) and new (2005-present). The book begins with the fan: There are essays on how the show is viewed and identified with, fan interactions with each other, reactions to changes, the wilderness years when it wasn't in production. Essays then look at the ways in which the stories are told (e.g., their timeliness, their use of time travel as a device, etc.). After discussing the stories and devices and themes, the essays turn to looking at the Doctor's female companions and how they evolve, are used, and changed by their journey with the Doctor.

Doctor Who and History

Doctor Who and History PDF Author: Carey Fleiner
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476629811
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 223

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Book Description
When Sydney Newman conceived the idea for Doctor Who in 1963, he envisioned a show in which the Doctor and his companions would visit and observe, but not interfere with, events in history. That plan was dropped early on and the Doctor has happily meddled with historical events for decades. This collection of new essays examines how the Doctor's engagement with history relates to Britain's colonial past, nostalgia for village life, Norse myths, alternate history, and the impact of historical decisions on the present.

Ruminations, Peregrinations, and Regenerations

Ruminations, Peregrinations, and Regenerations PDF Author: Christopher J. Hansen
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443821039
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 399

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Book Description
Peregrinations, Ruminations, and Regenerations: A Critical Approach to Doctor Who examines the famous BBC science fiction show as a cultural artifact in dialogue with other science fiction, with politics and religion, and with the culture at large, both in terms of how it reflects and comments upon that culture and in terms of the audience and the peculiarities of its response. This book enables researchers in film and media to make historical, industrial, aesthetic, and ideological connections between and among Doctor Who and other shows and historical events since its inception in 1963. This volume is a new entry in a relatively new area. As the young fans of Doctor Who have matured, and as many have become scholars, they are returning to the show to consider it from a scholarly perspective. It is also of use in the media studies classroom to address directly the issues presented by the longest running science fiction show in the history of the medium. Peregrinations, Ruminations, and Regenerations considers not only cultural ramifications and connections, but audience studies as well.

Horror Films of the 1990s

Horror Films of the 1990s PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786484802
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 716

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Book Description
This filmography covers more than 300 horror films released from 1990 through 1999. The horror genre's trends and cliches are connected to social and cultural phenomena, such as Y2K fears and the Los Angeles riots. Popular films were about serial killers, aliens, conspiracies, and sinister "interlopers," new monsters who shambled their way into havoc. Each of the films is discussed at length with detailed credits and critical commentary. There are six appendices: 1990s cliches and conventions, 1990s hall of fame, memorable ad lines, movie references in Scream, 1990s horrors vs. The X-Files, and the decade's ten best. Fully indexed, 224 photographs.

Horror Films of the 1970s

Horror Films of the 1970s PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786491566
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 682

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Book Description
The seventies were a decade of groundbreaking horror films: The Exorcist, Carrie, and Halloween were three. This detailed filmography covers these and 225 more. Section One provides an introduction and a brief history of the decade. Beginning with 1970 and proceeding chronologically by year of its release in the United States, Section Two offers an entry for each film. Each entry includes several categories of information: Critical Reception (sampling both '70s and later reviews), Cast and Credits, P.O.V., (quoting a person pertinent to that film's production), Synopsis (summarizing the film's story), Commentary (analyzing the film from Muir's perspective), Legacy (noting the rank of especially worthy '70s films in the horror pantheon of decades following). Section Three contains a conclusion and these five appendices: horror film cliches of the 1970s, frequently appearing performers, memorable movie ads, recommended films that illustrate how 1970s horror films continue to impact the industry, and the 15 best genre films of the decade as chosen by Muir.

Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre

Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476613354
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 207

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Book Description
The sound of chainsaws revving on "haunted" Halloween trails has evoked untold screams since Tobe Hooper's 1974 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre hit the cinemas. Since that first take-no-prisoners horror movie, Hooper's reputation as a master of horror has been secured by his adaptations of Stephen King (Salem's Lot, 1978, and The Mangler, 1995), his blockbuster breakthrough Poltergeist (1982) and a variety of cult hits, from the underrated Lifeforce (1985) to the remake of Invaders from Mars (1986). This reference work is divided into five parts. Part I provides a history and overview of Tobe Hooper's career. Part II offers entries (with synopses, complete credits, critical reception and commentaries) on every feature film by year of release. Part III provides chronological information on Hooper's television movies and miniseries. Part IV offers entries on his episodes from horror television series. Part V is a critical essay and conclusion which places Hooper in horror film history and compares his work to all-time greats such as Romero, Craven and Carpenter.

Horror Films of 2000-2009

Horror Films of 2000-2009 PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476644500
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 700

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Book Description
Horror films have always reflected their audiences' fears and anxieties. In the United States, the 2000s were a decade full of change in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the contested presidential election of 2000, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These social and political changes, as well as the influences of Japanese horror and New French extremism, had a profound effect on American horror filmmaking during the 2000s. This filmography covers more than 300 horror films released in America from 2000 through 2009, including such popular forms as found footage, torture porn, and remakes. Each entry covers a single film and includes credits, a synopsis, and a lengthy critical commentary. The appendices include common horror conventions, a performer hall of fame, and memorable ad lines.