Mike,

You might want to start with Robin Wood.  His stuff has the advantage of being
accessible, as well as using popular films to make his point.

See especially his HOLLYWOOD FROM VIETNAM TO REAGAN (New York: Columbia University
Press, 1986), esp. chapters 8, 11 and 12, as well as
HITCHCOCK'S FILMS REVISITED ( New York: Columbia University Press, 1989), esp.
ch,'s 16 and 18, and also, although I haven't yet had a chance to get all the way
through it, is his recently published SEXUAL POLITICS AND NARRATIVE FILM: HOLLYWOOD
AND BEYOND (New York: Columbia University Press, 1998).

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Marty.

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