Filming Women in the Third Reich

by Gaffney, Angela; Fox, Jo

• ISBN13: 9781859733967
• ISBN10: 1859733964
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: Berg Pub Ltd

Summary

In 1936, Goebbels stated that ls"a government that controls art will remain foreverrs", and the German film industry became inextricably linked with National Socialist propaganda. This book is an historical evaluation of the role and image of women in the feature films of the Third Reich. The author challenges current perceptions of the National Socialist position with regards to women and examines the creation of a female film culture, as well as the ls"blurringrs" of gender distinctions as a result of the war. Goebbels and his wife personally selected young movie actresses at their home to portray mothers, vamps, girls-next-door and exotic love interests. His interest in film opens up an array of important issues central to this book: Were women compliant with Nazism or were they the victims of a regime imposing policies ultimately detrimental to their condition? Is it true that the war helped to emancipate women who were not only romantic and patriotic heroines on screen but employed as drivers, technicians and even managers of government affiliated film departments? Did all films produced under the auspices of the Third Reich serve as propaganda and if so, how successful were they? And finally, what can the study of cinema contribute to the historical debate surrounding National Socialism? This book fills a considerable gap in the research of the Nazi star system and makes a crucial contribution not only to cinema history, but also to our view of the perceived role of women in the Third Reich. ls"This book will change the way that we look at Nazi Germany.rs" Richard Taylor, University of Swansea

Author Biography

Jo Fox is a Lecturer of European History, at the University of Durham.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations	vii
Illustrations	ix
Acknowledgements	xi
Introduction	1	(22)
Political and National Heroines in Feature Films of the Third Reich, 1939-1945	23	(20)
Mothers and Wives in the Feature Films of the Third Reich, 1939-1945	43	(28)
War Women in the Feature Films of the Third Reich, 1939-1945.	71	(48)
Entertainment Feature Films in the Third Reich, 1939-1945. The Films of Marika Rokk	119	(32)
The Negative Image of Women in the Feature Films of the Third Reich, 1939-1945	151	(66)
Conclusion	217	(10)
Filmography, 1933-1945	227	(10)
Archival Resources	237	(4)
Select Bibliography	241	(20)
Index	261