Paranoia, the Bomb, and 1950s Science Fiction Films

Cyndy Hendershot argues that 1950s science fiction films open a window on the cultural paranoia that characterized 1950s America, a phenomenon largely triggered by use of nuclear weapons during World War II. This study uses psychoanalytic theory to examine the various monsters that inhabit 1950s sci-fi movies giant insects, prehistoric creatures, mutants, uncanny doubles, to name a few which serve as metaphorical embodiments of a varied and complex cultural paranoia. Postwar paranoia may have stemmed from the bomb, but it came to correlate with a wider range of issues such as anti-communism, internal totalitarianism, scientific progress, domestic problems, gender roles, and sexuality."

Author: Cynthia Hendershot, Cyndy Hendershot
Publisher: Bowling Green State University Popular Press
Published: 01/01/1999
Pages: 174
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.50w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780879727994