Disney’s American revolution

Newman, S. P. (2018) Disney’s American revolution. Journal of American Studies, 52(3), pp. 682-715. (doi: 10.1017/S0021875817000391)

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Abstract

This essay adopts an innovative interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of Disney's representations of the American founding in television and movie productions as secondary works; that is, as works of historical interpretation. “The Liberty Story” (1957), Johnny Tremain (1957) and The Swamp Fox (1959–60) are analysed in the context of contemporaraneous historiographical trends. The essay demonstrates that despite certain flaws and weaknesses, Disney's representations sometimes presented innovative themes and insightful interpretations, which at the height of the Cold War influenced popular understanding of the American founding and the society that it produced.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Newman, Professor Simon
Authors: Newman, S. P.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
Journal Name:Journal of American Studies
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0021-8758
ISSN (Online):1469-5154
Published Online:04 April 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Cambridge University Press and British Association for American Studies
First Published:First published in Journal of American Studies 52(3): 682-715
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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