Journalism in the Movies

by Matthew C. Ehrlich

Book Overview

From cynical portrayals like The Front Page to the nuanced complexity of All the President's Men, and The Insider, movies about journalists and journalism have been a go-to film genre since the medium's early days. Often depicted as disrespectful, hard-drinking, scandal-mongering misfits, journalists also receive Hollywood's frequent respect as an essential part of American life.

Matthew C. Ehrlich tells the story of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0252074327
• ISBN13: 9780252074325
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An important and scholarly addition

"Journalism In The Movies" by Matthew C. Ehrlich (Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) is a history of how Hollywood movies have depicted American journalism and newspaper reporters, editors and publishers from the beginning of the sound era in motion pictures down to the present day. Professor Ehrlich documents how film makers from script writers to directors have consistently presented journalists as men and women who see through lies and hypocrisy, defend the ordinary people from corruption, conspiracy, and criminality, and serve in the defense of democracy. From 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', to 'All the President's Men', to 'The Insider', and more, the reader is provided with illustrative examples of films that reflect and shape public opinion with respect to the role of journalist in American society and American life. "Journalism In The Movies" is an important and scholarly addition to academic library Cinema History reference collections, and supplemental reading lists for students and non-academic general readers with an interest in journalism and the movies.