Celluloid Heroes: a Study of Fictional Characters in Popular Film As Vehicles for Cultural Myth
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1999 Celluloid heroes: A study of fictional characters in popular film as vehicles for cultural myth Jeffrey Patterson Lawrence University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Lawrence, Jeffrey Patterson, "Celluloid heroes: A study of fictional characters in popular film as ehiclesv for cultural myth" (1999). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1024. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/klbj-p5h8 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CELLULOID HEROES: A STUDY OF FICTIONAL CHARACTERS IN POPULAR FILM AS VEHICLES FOR CULTURAL MYTH by Jeffrey Lawrence Bachelor of Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1995 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Hank Greenspun School of Communication Greenspan College of Urban Affairs Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1999 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1396408 Copyright 1999 by Lawrence, Jeffrey Patterson All rights reserved. UMI Microform 1396408 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Jeffrey Lawrence 1999 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval UNIV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas February 17 19 99 The Thesis prepared by _________ Jeffrey P. Lawrence Entitled Celluloid Heroes: A Study Of Fictional Characters In Popular Film As Vehicles For Cultural Myth___________ is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Communication Studies Examination Committee Chair Dean of the Graduate College Examination Committee Member .xamijmtion Committee Member Graduate College Facult^^epresentatioe 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT CELLULOID HEROES: A STUDY OF FICTIONAL CHARACTERS IN POPULAR FILM AS VHEICLES FOR CULTURAL MYTH by Jeffrey Lawrence Dr. Richard Jensen, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Communication University of Nevada, Las Vegas The following study is an examination of three fictional characters from popular film in an attempt to define the role of cultural myth in American society and demonstrate how these myths are distributed through popular culture media. The study will examine the film history of each character, analyze which myths these characters perpetuate, and attempt to explain the impact such myths have on a given audience. To gain a better understanding of society, scholars need to examine the books people read, the music they listen to, and the films they watch. It is the hope that this study will lend a greater insight to the importance of cultural myth and its significance in reinforcing American values and beliefs. In addition, it is the hope that this study will serve as encouragement for future studies addressing the relationship between communication and popular culture. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................................................ni ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................................................ iv CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Justification .....................................................................................................................................................9 Review O f Literature .....................................................................................................................................11 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. 13 CHAPTER H HISTORY...............................................................................................................................18 The Golden Age ............................................................................................................................................ 18 "Bond, James Bond” .................................................................................................................................... 22 A Cop For All Seasons .................................................................................................................................26 Rambolina .....................................................................................................................................................33 CHAPTER in METHODOLOGY................................................................................................................37 CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................... 45 The Functional Tradition ..............................................................................................................................45 Individualism .................................................................................................................................................46 Abstraction ....................................................................................................................................................49 Functionalism ................................................................................................................................................50 Mob At The Gates.........................................................................................................................................51 Rot At The Top ..............................................................................................................................................57 The Triumphant Individual ...........................................................................................................................62 CHAPTER V SUMMARY..........................................................................................................................68 Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................................68 Implications ...................................................................................................................................................69 Future Studies ................................................................................................................................................70