Songs take up space and time in films. Richard Dyer's In the Space of a Song takes off from this perception, arguing that the way songs take up space indicates a great deal about the songs themselves, the nature of the feelings they present, and who is allowed to present feelings how, when and where. In the Space of a Song explores this perception through a range of examples, from classic MGM musicals to blaxploitation cinema, with the career of Lena Horne providing a turning point in the cultural dynamics of the feeling.
Chapters include:
- The perfection of Meet Me in St. Louis
- A Star Is Born and the construction of authenticity
- ‘I seem to find the happiness I seek’: Heterosexuality and dance in the musical
- The space of happiness in the musical
- Singing prettily: Lena Horne in Hollywood
- Is Car Wash a musical?
- Music and presence in blaxploitation cinema
In the Space of a Song is ideal for both scholars and students of film studies.