Diana Dors - (International Film Stars) by Martin Shingler (Paperback)

About the Book

Examines Diana Dors' film career, acting method, star image and enduring celebrity

Book Synopsis

Diana Dors became one of Britain's most successful sex symbols in the 1950s and remained a major celebrity until her death in 1984. This book examines both her acting method and her celebrity. It provides a detailed analysis of Dors' performance in a number of her films from across different periods of her career, investigating her versatility by paying close attention to her voice, facial expressions and looks, body poses and gestures in specific moments from her movies. It also discusses the performance of gender and age, as well as considering her later role as a gay icon.

From the Back Cover

Diana Dors was not only Britain's most successful sex symbol of the 1950s but also a popular entertainer who remained a major celebrity until her death in 1984. Diana Dors: Film Star and Actor is primarily a celebration of her film acting skills, providing detailed analysis of her performances in a selection of films from across the star's five-decade career, including The Unholy Wife, Berserk!, and The Pied Piper. In addition to investigating Dors' versatility as an actress by paying close attention to the different ways in which she uses her voice and body, poses and gestures, facial expressions and looks in specific moments from her movies, Shingler also discusses the performance of sexuality, gender and age, while considering her appeal for male and female, gay and straight audiences. Martin Shingler is an independent scholar, freelance writer, editor and researcher. He was previously Lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies at Staffordshire University, and Senior Lecturer in Radio & Film Studies at University of Sunderland. In addition to co-editing the BFI Film Stars series (2012-2019), he has published two monographs, When Warners Brought Broadway to Hollywood, 1923-39 (2018) and Star Studies: A Critical Guide (2012).

Review Quotes

Shingler on Dors is a dream team: the doyen of Star Studies on the most warmly beloved of stars. Packed with detail, beautifully written, Shingler draws out the resonances of the Dors persona alongside demonstrating the skill of her performances, brilliantly fusing appreciation of the star as image and actor.--Richard Dyer, King's College London

About the Author

Martin Shingler is an independent scholar, freelance writer, editor and researcher. He was previously Lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies at Staffordshire University, and Senior Lecturer in Radio & Film Studies at University of Sunderland. In addition to co-editing the BFI Film Stars series (2012-2019), he has published two monographs, When Warners Brought Broadway to Hollywood, 1923-39 (2018) and Star Studies: A Critical Guide (2012).