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- Title
Neurotic Stars and Spellbound Viewers: Louis Bisch and Psychoanalytic Film Theory in Silent-Era Photoplay.
- Authors
Galili, Doron
- Abstract
This article explores the writings of Louis E. Bisch, a neuropsychiatrist, who wrote articles for Photoplay magazine in the late 1920s, examining the relationship between cinema and psychoanalysis. Bisch's articles provided a framework for understanding various aspects of film culture, such as acting talent and film genres, through the lens of psychoanalysis. Although Bisch's work has not received much attention in theoretical debates, the article argues that it offers valuable insights into the early development of film theory. The article also discusses the changing attitudes towards psychoanalysis in American cinema during the 1930s and 1940s, with films incorporating psychoanalytic themes and stars discussing Freudian concepts in interviews. Bisch's articles delved into the psychological makeup of Hollywood stars and the effects of film spectatorship, offering a critical perspective on cinematic representation. Bisch argued that cinema satisfies desires and releases tension, contrasting with the neurosis and detachment associated with civilization and cultural taste. He defended cinema against charges of moral corruption and indecency, asserting that films reflect reality and have a positive moral effect. Bisch's ideas diverged from later psychoanalytic film theories, as he saw cinema as liberating and psychologically healthy, emphasizing the educational value of films. Despite being overlooked, Bisch's work provides a unique perspective on the intersection of academic discourse and the entertainment industry in early film theory.
- Subjects
PSYCHOANALYTIC theory; FILM theory; SCREENPLAYS; COLLEGE curriculum; PLEASURE; LAUGHTER; OBSERVATION (Psychology)
- Publication
JCMS: Journal of Cinema & Media Studies, 2023, Vol 63, Issue 5, p1
- ISSN
2578-4900
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1353/cj.2023.a918255