GRATITUDE

My friends and colleagues who have shared their knowledge, eccentricities, and friendship with me populate this book. Of my Milwaukee connections, particularly Stephen Heath, in various seminars from the late 1970s to early 1980s, has deeply influenced my thoughts about Hollywood film (whose history I teach, along with other national cinemas, in my everyday life) while Teresa de Lauretis, during her lengthy tenure in Milwaukee, existed as a feminist friend of stylish inventiveness and intellectual rigor. My colleagues in the Film Department, Bob Nelson, Dick Blau, and Rob Danielson, share my great respect for these films. My friends in the Modern Studies program, Herbert Blau and Kathleen Woodward, share my fascination with artists. Patrice Petro shares my love of cinema. Meaghan Morris is, pedagogically speaking, all of the above.

To Rob and Dae Mellencamp, extraordinary human beings, who supported me into writing a book and then left for college, and who live in fear of my sentimentality and weepy declarations of respect and love; to Peg and Bob Jewson, who gave me a happy history which included strong, working women and constant support, and who funded and upscaled my daily life; to Nancy Mooney, the best of all sisters, who shared my past and advises my present; to Marge and the women of New Day, love and gratitude. This book is dedicated to you, and to my sidekicks, B.P. and Baggins.