Hollywood Remaking

Remakes, frankly, are nothing new in Hollywood. They have been occurring ever since the days of classic Hollywood, with several well-known and beloved classics indeed being remakes. What is old is new again with technological advances and changes in available talent, from silents to sound films and new talent acquisitions being showcased after former contract players departed. To this day, remakes persist and often have an air of controversy about them.

Hollywood Remaking: How Film Remakes, Sequels, and Franchises Shape Industry and Culture by Kathleen Loock offers a fascinating exploration of the remake trend and justifies its importance to the film industry. Loock supports her claims through qualitative and quantitative data surrounding remake output, reception, and influence. Moreover, she details several examples of films that have been remade or retooled over the years, from the classic to the contemporary.

This book is highly recommended to fans of classic Hollywood with a keen eye for comparing remakes.


Hollywood Remaking: How Film Remakes, Sequels, and Franchises Shape Industry and Culture is available through University of California Press.