{"product_id":"the-turn-to-gruesomeness-in-jon-towlson-9780786494743","title":"The Turn to Gruesomeness in American Horror Films, 1931-1936","description":"\u003cp\u003e Critics have traditionally characterized classic horror by its use of shadow and suggestion. Yet the graphic nature of early 1930s films only came to light in the home video\/DVD era. Along with gangster movies and \"sex pictures,\" horror films drew audiences during the Great Depression with sensational content.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Exploiting a loophole in the Hays Code, which made no provision for on-screen \"gruesomeness,\" studios produced remarkably explicit films that were recut when the Code was more rigidly enforced from 1934.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e This led to a modern misperception that classic horror was intended to be safe and reassuring to audiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The author examines the 1931 to 1936 \"happy ending\" horror in relation to industry practices and censorship. Early works like \u003ci\u003eMurders in the Rue Morgue\u003c\/i\u003e (1932) and \u003ci\u003eThe Raven\u003c\/i\u003e (1935) may be more akin to \u003ci\u003eThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre\u003c\/i\u003e (1974) and \u003ci\u003eHostel\u003c\/i\u003e (2005) than many critics believe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Jon Towlson\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0786494743\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780786494743\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e McFarland \u0026amp; Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/27\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.90h x 6.90w x 0.50d","brand":"Jon Towlson","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43926042607871,"sku":"9780786494743","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_da0cf84a-2415-419d-8cec-ca10df1f4eda.jpg?v=1681080864","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-turn-to-gruesomeness-in-jon-towlson-9780786494743","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}