Flaming Classics

by Alexander Doty

This lively, opinionated, and playful look at the movies is a must-read for film buffs, and for anyone interested in gender, sexuality, and popular culture. One thing's for sure. After reading Flaming Classics you'll know you're definitely not in Kansas anymore.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, LGBT, Queer, Queer Studies, Grad School

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Doty's scholarship centered around gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and feminist film theory. He wrote seminal books on queer film theory and gay culture.

Reviews

[Ai Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a delightful read. Doty is so aggressive in his readings, and it's really delightful. His rage during the Wizard of Oz chapter is so GOOD and palpable, and his reading of Psycho is super interesting and opens up so many doors for the future. I was less interested in the middle chapters, but that was mostly because I haven't seen those movies. (I also haven't seen Psycho, but reading the chapter makes me want to see it!) This book is so great and really changed my life, and I strongly encourage folks who are interested in having a good time check it out.

[Allison Hawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely an interesting look into some classical, rather iconic, films. I particularly enjoyed the analysis of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."

However, I do feel that the author was reaching a bit in places. While I believe that studying subtext, particularly subtexts that may have been included as a form of subversion to perceived cultural norms, is important, I also think it must be tempered a little with the reality that sometimes a prop choice was based off of nothing more than it's what they had in the studio at the time.

Overall, a very interesting read though for anyone interested in film and gender studies.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of queer readings of classic cinema. Doty's lesbian reading of The Wizard of Oz was interesting, though I don't agree with him on all points, and I particularly liked his reading of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. One thing that irked me a bit was his habit of completely discounting straight readings of a text, particularly The Wizard of Oz.

[Salome Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adore this romp through classic films through Doty's queer eye. I followed the merry trail of interpretation and critical insights with pleasure, and I gained new ways of seeing the films on which he concentrates. Moreover, I was inspired to queer up my own views of many others! It's a shame it's out of print, but grab yourself a used copy and enjoy.