Neil Sinyard is an emeritus professor of film studies at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. He is the author of 25 books on film, including studies of directors such as William Wyler, Fred Zinnemann, Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg.

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments

Chronology

Introduction: Hollywood Giant

One¿¿¿The RKO Period, 1935-1940

Twö¿¿Men in Chaos, 1941-1943

Three¿¿¿From World War to Cold War, 1943-1948

Four¿¿¿Interlude, 1948-1951

Five¿¿¿The American Dream, 1951-1956

Six¿¿¿The Final Years, 1959-1969

Conclusion: Anything Else?

Filmography

Discography

Bibliography

Index

""George Stevens could do anything,"" said veteran Hollywood producer Pandro S. Berman, ""break your heart or make you laugh.""
Winner of two Best Director Oscars--for A Place in the Sun (1951) and Giant (1956)--Stevens excelled in a range of genres, gave luster to some of Hollywood's brightest stars and was revered by his peers. Yet his work has been largely neglected by critics and scholars.
This career retrospective highlights Stevens' achievements, particularly in his sweeping ""American Dream"" trilogy (A Place in the Sun, Shane (1953) and Giant). His recurrent themes and characteristic style reveal a progressive attitude towards women's experiences and highlight the continued relevance of his films today.