As a film history student I took two Hollywood Cinema survey classes. One
did include more popular movies along with critical successes. The other one
was primarily esoteric classics. I enjoyed both but at the same time I also
took American History classes that concentrated on the same period and was
always surprised by the overlap in themes between the two. For example, a
study of popular movies of post-World War I movies and post World War II
movies according to Taves suggestion would have been a class I would have
eagerly signed up for as opposed to the choices usually given. I was
disappointed as a student because the film classes I frequently took
dismissed Hollywood since these movies are made for profit rather than
exploring the tension of a business that creates what may be art. I suppose I
was more interested in the business than top ten lists of artistic
masterpieces. Another idea for a class that may appease both sides could be a
study of the directors (Stroheim to Wenders) Hollywood imported for art's
sake and how well they fared in the business. Anyway, I believe that a class
about popular movies isn't about venerating public tastes, but an essential
part of cinema history especially for Hollywood.
 
Amy Harper
Look It Up!
Indexer
Milwaukee, WI
 
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