Encyclopedia of Film Themes, Settings and Series

The first editon was called “the most valuable film reference in several years” by Library Journal. The new edition published in hardcover in 2001 includes more than 670 entries. The current work is a paperback reprint of that edition.
Each entry contains a mini-essay that defines the topic, followed by a chronological list of representative films.
From the Abominable Snowman to Zorro, this encyclopedia provides film scholars and fans with an easy-to-use reference for researching film themes or tracking down obscure movies on subjects such as suspended animation, viral epidemics, robots, submarines, reincarnation, ventriloquists and the Olympics (“Excellent” said Cult Movies).
The volume also contains an extensive list of film characters and series, including B-movie detectives, Western heroes, made-for-television film series, and foreign film heroes and villains.

Richard B. Armstrong, in addition to his reference book work, has written for such periodicals as Film Quarterly and Filmfax. Mary Willems Armstrong has shown films, reviewed films, and written about film reference books in magazines such as Film Quarterly and Filmfax.

Richard B. Armstrong and Mary Willems Armstrong
Format: softcover (7 x 9.25)
Pages: 237
Bibliographic Info:
Copyright Date: 2010 [2001]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4572-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1230-0
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents



Introduction      1



The Films, A–Z      3

“unique…recommended…fun and informative”—Booklist; “comprehensive…useful and unique”—Choice; “film scholars and fans will find this an easy-to-use reference volume for tracking down obscure movies on various subjects as well as for researching movie themes”—ARBA; “recommended”—Reference & User Services Quarterly; “one of those rare can’t-put-it-down reference books”—Big Reel; “useful”—Classic Images; “the best book of its type…excellent”—Cult Movies; “impressive”—Burlington County Times.