Feature films function as a keeper of America's collective conscience-a repository of fears, guilt, and hopes. "Buddy films" about men of different races depict a world where a peaceful balance is possible and conflicts can be resolved. Since the 1930s these films have presented various forms of masculinity, reflecting dominant mainstream social traditions, images of men and manhood within the culture.
Interracial buddy films include such examples as the Silver Streak, 48 Hrs, Beverly Hills Cop, Lethal Weapon and The Shawshank Redemption. Many of these films have been made into franchises, furthering their cultural importance as filmic versions of interracial equality.
This critical study analyzes the idealized interracial relationships, the heterosexual masculine roles within the films and the appearances of this kind of film in various genres. The book is arranged in six major chapters, each focusing upon a particular era in the development of the interracial buddy film. The book also examines the film sequel as a validation of the enduring significance of interracial interaction. The scope of the work is not limited to Caucasian/African-American pairings. Films with a myriad of racial and ethnic combinations are also analyzed, such as Tin Cup, Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon and Ocean's Eleven.

Donalson, Melvin Burke, 1952-

Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland

United States, United States of America

Illustrated, PS, 2006

Illustrated, 2005

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Feature films function as a keeper of America's collective conscience--a repository of fears, guilt, and hopes. "Buddy films" about men of different races depict a world where a peaceful balance is possible and conflicts can be resolved. Since the 1930s these films have presented various forms of masculinity, reflecting dominant mainstream social traditions, images of men and manhood within the culture. Interracial buddy films include such examples as the Silver Streak , 48 Hrs , Beverly Hills Cop , Lethal Weapon and The Shawshank Redemption. Many of these films have been made into franchises, furthering their cultural importance as filmic versions of interracial equality. This critical study analyzes the idealized interracial relationships, the heterosexual masculine roles within the films and the appearances of this kind of film in various genres. The book is arranged in six major chapters, each focusing upon a particular era in the development of the interracial buddy film. The book also examines the film sequel as a validation of the enduring significance of interracial interaction. The scope of the work is not limited to Caucasian/African-American pairings. Films with a myriad of racial and ethnic combinations are also analyzed, such as Tin Cup , Rush Hour , Shanghai Noon and Ocean's Eleven .

vi, 201 pages : 23 cm
"This critical study analyzes the idealized relationships and the heterosexual masculine roles within films like Silver Streak, 48 Hrs, Beverly Hills Cop, Lethal Weapon and The Shawshank Redemption. Each chapter focuses upon a particular era in the development of the interracial buddy film. The book also examines the film sequel as a validation of the enduring significance of interracial interaction. The discussion includes films with varied racial and ethnic combinations, such as Tin Cup, Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon and Ocean's Eleven."--BOOK JACKET
Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-194) and index

"This work analyzes the interracial relationships, the heterosexual masculine roles within the films and the various genres in which the buddy film has surfaced. The book is arranged in six chapters, each focusing upon a particular chronological era in the development of the interracial buddy film"--Provided by publisher.

2024-07-01