Teen Movies: A Century of American Youth

The book "Teen Movies" provides a comprehensive and accessible history of the depiction of teenagers in American film, from the silent era to the twenty-first century. It explores the varied genres of the teen movie and its shifting themes and tropes around sex and gender, childhood and adulthood, rebellion and social order, crime and consumer culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Cinema has long been captivated by the experiences, hopes, fears, and anxieties of adolescents, teenagers, and young people. This comprehensive and accessible book chronicles the depiction of teenagers in American film, spanning from the silent era to the twenty-first century. Timothy Shary delves into the evolution of teenage roles across eras and industrial cycles, including the juvenile delinquent pictures of the 1950s, the beach movies of the 1960s, the horror films of the 1980s, and the fantasy epics of the 2000s. He examines the diverse genres of teen movies, such as horror and melodrama, romance and adventure, fantasy and science fiction, and their shifting themes and tropes surrounding sex and gender, childhood and adulthood, rebellion and social order, crime and consumer culture.

Teen Movies offers in-depth analyses of iconic films like Rebel Without a Cause (1955), Splendor in the Grass (1961), Carrie (1976), The Breakfast Club (1985), American Pie (1999), and the Twilight series (2008–2012). This second edition has been updated to reflect current trends and includes a new chapter exploring Millennials and Generation Z on screen. It discusses contemporary topics such as queer youth representation in movies like Moonlight (2016), abortion in films like Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020), and the emergence of a "tween" cinema with films like Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023).

Through its comprehensive exploration of the portrayal of teenagers in American film, Teen Movies provides a valuable insight into the cultural and societal dynamics of adolescence. It sheds light on the ways in which teenagers have been represented, both positively and negatively, and how these representations have shaped the perceptions and attitudes of audiences over the years. Whether you are a film enthusiast, a student of media, or simply interested in understanding the complexities of teenage life, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the teen movie genre.

Weight: 248g
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206211
Edition number: second edition