MACMILLAN The Development of Popular Music Function in Film: From the Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll to the Death of Disco (Palgrave Studies in Audio-Visual Culture)

This book offers a unique examination of the development of popular music function in film. It assesses the contribution of popular music to the interpretation of the most significant films, covering the period from rock ‘n’ roll’s initial introduction at the opening of Blackboard Jungle, to the backlash against disco, which followed soon after the release of Saturday Night Fever. By dividing this period into five phases―The Classical American Musical Phase, The British Invasion Phase, The New Hollywood Alienation Phase, The Disco Phase and The Post-Disco Conservative Phase―the book pinpoints key moments at which individual developments occurred and lays out a path of expansion in popular music function. Each chapter offers close analyses of this period’s most innovative films; examines the cultural, historical, technical and industrial factors peculiar to each phase and considers the influence of these upon the specific timing of functional advances.  Review “Anthony Hogg’s illuminating study of pop music movies from the rock era is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of cinematic form, and the mercurial relation between music and moving images in particular.  Moreover, Hogg’s engaging and richly informed historical accounts of the origins of rock and disco, and the moral backlash accompanying their rise, will appeal to scholars and music lovers alike.” (Barry J. Faulk, Professor of English, Florida State University) From the Back Cover This book offers a unique examination of the development of popular music function in film. It assesses the contribution of popular music to the interpretation of the most significant films, covering the period from rock ‘n’ roll’s initial introduction at the opening of Blackboard Jungle, to the backlash against disco, which followed soon after the release of  Saturday Night Fever. By dividing this period into five phases―The Classical American Musical Phase, The British Invasion Phase, The New Hollywood Alienation Phase, The Disco Phase and The Post-Disco Conservative Phase―the book pinpoints key moments at which individual developments occurred and lays out a path of expansion in popular music function. Each chapter offers close analyses of this period’s most innovative films; examines the cultural, historical, technical and industrial factors peculiar to each phase and considers the influence of these upon the specific timing of functional advances.  About the Author Anthony Hogg, Independent Scholar, UK.