UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2000 Film and architecture: Discovering the self-reflection of rF ank Capra and Frank Lloyd Wright through contextual analysis Marie Lynore Kohler University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Kohler, Marie Lynore, "Film and architecture: Discovering the self-reflection of rF ank Capra and Frank Lloyd Wright through contextual analysis" (2000). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1120. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/c7iq-fh8b 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. FILM AND ARCHITECTURE: DISCOVERING THE SELF-REFLECTION OF FRANK CAPRA AND FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT THROUGH CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS bv Marie L. Kohler Bachelor of Science Arizona State University 1983 A thesis submitted m partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Hank Greenspun Department of Communication Greenspun College of Urban AAns Graduate College Unhrersify of Nevada^ Las Vegas May 2000 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number 1399893 Copyright 2000 by Kohler, Marie Lynore All rights reserved. UMI* UMI Microform1399893 Copyright 2000 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Marie L Kohler 2000 An Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval IJNIV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las \^gas April 6 ^20 00 The Thesis prepared by Marie L. Kohler Entitled Film and Architecture; Discovering the Self-Ref lection of____ Frank Capra and Frank Llovd Wright Through Contextual Analysis is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master gf Arts Exammatian Committee Chair Dean o f the Graduate College tiem/Qmnittee Member ExamnutuM Cammtttee Graduatelpolkge Faculty Représentai PR/1017-53/i-oi a Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Film and Architectoie; Discovering the Self-Reflection of Frank Capra and Frank Lloyd Wright Through Contextual Analysis By Marie L. Kohler Dr. Lawrence J. Mullen, Exammation Committee Chair Assistant Professor of Mass Communication University of Nevada, Las Vegas Film and architecture were analyzed to evaluate the rhetorical potential these media hold in communicatmg the self-reflection of their creators. In an attempt to uncover common communication elements which further Imk the relationship between film and architecture, specific works of director Frank Capra and architect Frank Lloyd Wright were examined. The study utilizes both an historical, case study approach, combined with a contextual analysis of two selected works. Because Zettl's (1990) theory of applied media aesthetks emphasizes the hnportance of the medium in the communication process, this methodology was applied to Capra's film It's A Wonderful Life and Wright's buildmg the Solomon R. Gueeenheun Museum. Conclusions indicate that the selected works were both culmmating and transcendent in their manner of exposmg the self-reflection of Capra and Wright's belief in the unity of humanity. ui Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................... iü LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES.....................................................................................v CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 1 Justification..................................................... 1 Review of Literature ...................................................................................5 Methodology........................................................................ JZ2 CHAPTER 2 BIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS.............................................................. 25 Frank Capra's Life and Works ............................... .25 Frank Lloyd Wright's Life and Works ..................................................................... 37 General Observations ................................. .47 CHAPTER 3 FILM AND ARCHITECTURE AS COMMUNICATION DEVICES....55 Self-Reflection and Audiences............................................................ 58 Applied Media Aesthetics........................................................................................ 62 Elements of Film ........................ 64 Elements of Architecture...................................................................... 67 CHAPTER 4 CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS................................................................. 74 Justification of Works Selected ...... 74 Analysis of Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life.................................. 81 Analysis of Frank Lloyd Wright's Soloman R. Guggenheim Museum. ..................106 CHAPTERS DISCUSSION......................................................................................128 General Observations ................ 129 Conclusion.......................................................................... 131 Recommendations for Further Study .................................................................... .135 APPENDICES Appendbc 1 - Chronological Listing Frank Capra's Film and Television Credits.»138 Appendix 2 - Chronology of Events and Built Projects by Frank Lloyd Wright....l41 REFERENCES................................................................................................................156 VITA............................................................................................................................. .166 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1 Frank Capra, cnca 1930.............................................................................. _12 Figure 2 Frank Lloyd Wright, drca 1950 .................................................................. .17 Figure 3 Basic Lmes of Rhetoric.................................................................................56 Figure 4 hitegrated Communications Model .............................................................62 Figure 5 Relative Components of Function in Different Building Types.................. 69 Figure 6 Reflection of Sound Waves on Flat and Curved Surtees ........................... 72 Figure 7 Image from Scene Train Scene in lAWL. .................................................... 86 Figure 8 Image hom Phone Scene in lAWL.............................................................. 86 Figure 9 Image from Dark House Scene in lAWL...... ....................................... 87 Table 1 Number of Cuts and Average Length of Shots m Three Scenes ................104 Figure 10 Exterior View of the Gueeenhenn Museum. ........................... I l l Figure