10747 Romantic Comedy: History, Ideology and Gender

Credits: 6 intermediate credits in Film Studies

Authors: Benny Ben David, Nurith Gertz, Inbar Shaham. The materials include a collection of articles.

The course examines the historical, social, and ideological context in which Hollywood romantic comedy evolved, from the 1930s until 2000. It explores how various cycles in the genre relate to romantic love, the institution of marriage, gender roles and gender relations, and to social issues such as class, ethnic background and sexual orientation. It also discusses the contribution of several prominent authors to the genre, among them Woody Allen.

Films: It Happened One Night (1934), Lady Eve (1941), Some Like it Hot (1959), Pillow Talk (1959), The Apartment (1960), Annie Hall (1977), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Pretty Woman (1990), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997).