First Published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This study covers a crucial two decades in American history, when the links between Hollywood and Washington DC were at their strongest, a period "book-ended" by the political and cinematic figures of Reagan and Clinton. During this period movies became targets of political rhetoric of "family values." The essays examine cinematic views of key American political institutions - the presidency and electoral process, politically significant places such as New York City and the American South, the promotion of major issues like gender, family and race. This is a subject which has gained new...

The "cartoon"in the output of the all conquering Disney studio, the anarchic antics of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck in Looney Tunes, and the satiric vision of the Simpsons on television is synonymous with the United States, but the genre rarely is taken seriously. Nevertheless, cartoons are important artistic and cultural achievements, and are an essential ingredient in how America is viewed, both by itself and by others. In Animation and America, Paul Wells looks afresh at this unique art, discussing the distinctiveness of the cartoon form, as well as myriad other types of animation production....

Cartoonists and animators have given animals human characteristics for so long that audiences are now accustomed to seeing Bugs Bunny singing opera and Mickey Mouse walking his dog Pluto.

The Animated Bestiary critically evaluates the depiction of animals in cartoons and animation more generally. Paul Wells argues that artists use animals to engage with issues that would be more difficult to address directly because of political, religious, or social taboos. Consequently, and principally through anthropomorphism, animation uses animals to play out a performance of gender, sex and...

This text discusses the contribution of animation to American history and culture. The author stresses that animation is a broader concept than simply that of cartoon and analyzes both its specific qualities and the way in which these films can reflect and comment upon the times in which they were made. The book does not follow a studio focused approach; instead its discussion of issues is placed in a socio-political context and ranges chronologically from the pioneering works that preceded Disney to the contemporary animation of The Simpsons, Toy Story, Chicken Run, Dinosaur and The Mummy...