About the book
Finalist for the 2012 Edgar Award in the Best Critical/Biographical Category presented by the Mystery Writers of America
In this extensive and authoritative study of over 300 films, Philippa Gates explores the \"woman detective\" figure from her pre-cinematic origins in nineteenth century detective fiction through her many incarnations throughout the history of Hollywood cinema. Through the lens of theories of gender, genre, and stardom and engaging with the critical concepts of performativity, masquerade, and feminism, Detecting Women analyzes constructions of the female investigator in the detective genre and focuses on the evolution of her representation from 1929 to today. While a popular assumption is that images of women have become increasingly positive over this period, Gates argues that the most progressive and feminist models of the female detective exist in mainstream film's more peripheral products such as 1930's B-picture and 1970's Blaxploitation films. Offering revisions and new insights into peripheral forms of mainstream film, Gates explores this space that allows a fantasy of resolution of social anxieties about crime and, more interestingly, gender, in the 20th and early 21st centuries. The author's innovative, engaging, and capacious approach to this important figure within feminist film history breaks new ground in the field of gender and film studies.
Editions of Detecting Women
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781438434056
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781438434049
- PDF
- ISBN 9781438434063
Read an Excerpt
Finalist for the 2012 Edgar Award in the Best Critical/Biographical Category presented by the Mystery Writers of America
In this extensive and authoritative study of over 300 films, Philippa Gates explores the \"woman detective\" figure from her pre-cinematic origins in nineteenth century detective fiction through her many incarnations throughout the history of Hollywood cinema. Through the lens of theories of gender, genre, and stardom and engaging with the critical concepts of performativity, masquerade, and feminism, Detecting Women analyzes constructions of the female investigator in the detective genre and focuses on the evolution of her representation from 1929 to today. While a popular assumption is that images of women have become increasingly positive over this period, Gates argues that the most progressive and feminist models of the female detective exist in mainstream film's more peripheral products such as 1930's B-picture and 1970's Blaxploitation films. Offering revisions and new insights into peripheral forms of mainstream film, Gates explores this space that allows a fantasy of resolution of social anxieties about crime and, more interestingly, gender, in the 20th and early 21st centuries. The author's innovative, engaging, and capacious approach to this important figure within feminist film history breaks new ground in the field of gender and film studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Detecting Women about?
Finalist for the 2012 Edgar Award in the Best Critical/Biographical Category presented by the Mystery Writers of America
In this extensive and authoritative study of over 300 films, Philippa Gates explores the \"woman detective\" figure from her pre-cinematic origins in nineteenth century detective fiction through her many incarnations throughout the history of Hollywood cinema. Through the lens of theories of gender, genre, and stardom and engaging with the critical concepts of performativity, masquerade, and feminism, Detecting Women analyzes constructions of the female investigator in the detective genre and focuses on the evolution of her representation from 1929 to today. While a popular assumption is that images of women have become increasingly positive over this period, Gates argues that the most progressive and feminist models of the female detective exist in mainstream film's more peripheral products such as 1930's B-picture and 1970's Blaxploitation films. Offering revisions and new insights into peripheral forms of mainstream film, Gates explores this space that allows a fantasy of resolution of social anxieties about crime and, more interestingly, gender, in the 20th and early 21st centuries. The author's innovative, engaging, and capacious approach to this important figure within feminist film history breaks new ground in the field of gender and film studies.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Detecting Women?
The Arts > Performing arts > Films, cinema > Film history, theory or criticism
Where can I read a sample of Detecting Women?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438434056
How long is Detecting Women and how many pages does it have?
Detecting Women has 410 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Detecting Women?
Philippa Gates
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Detecting Women is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438434056) and paperback(ISBN 9781438434049) and pdf(ISBN 9781438434063)
Where can I buy Detecting Women online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Detecting Women from below
Where can I buy Detecting Women?