Reading Queer Performance in Post-Production Code Film Musicals (1970-1980)

Abstract

This thesis focuses on how the abandonment of the Motion Picture Production Code in the late 1960s and the impact of the Stonewall Riots in 1969 affected approaches to the presentation and reading of queer and potentially queer characters and narratives within Hollywood film musicals released between 1970 and 1980. It argues that the film musical was vital during this period in portraying characters that can be read queerly as having an active and visible role in society. My thesis therefore investigates ways in which performances and storylines in four popular mainstream Hollywood film musicals released within the early years following the demise of the Production Code can be read as queer. It suggests that familiar features of film musicals, such as numbers, performance, narrative and spectacle contributed to and enhanced queer readings. The thesis explores the significance of queer readings of characters and narratives of mainstream film musicals of this decade as a way of assessing some of the shifts and changes taking place in society within the United States at that time.

Date of Award	19 Nov 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Winchester
Supervisor	Millie Taylor (Supervisor) & Laura Hubner (Supervisor)