RECOMMENDED BOOKS, ARTICLES
AND WEB SITES
Updated: 12-2014
Alphabetized List -- Journalists in Art and Photography, Comic Books and Music
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Bacon, Peggy, Satricial Image of Heywood Broun. The work of Honoré Daumier inspired Peggy Bacon's interest in caricature and satire, and in 1928 she learned the art of lithography. In the fall of 1930 Bacon dashed off her satirical image of the journalist Heywood Broun for an American Printmakers exhibition. This picture of Broun at his typewriter was published in Bacon's compilation Off with Their Heads! (1934), with her description: "Sits in black leather chair with floppily crossed feet in god-awful mess of letters and litter. Looks like a stage elephant made of two men. Mild, journalistic anxiety stamped on face. Must-get-the-article-in look.”
Hoch, Hannah, The Journalists (1925). Hannah Höch (1889-1978) was one of the leading figures in the Berlin Dada movement, which critically examined social conflicts in the young Weimar Republic during the period following the First World War. The Dadaists favoured technique was collage, whereby the artists cut up existing images and reproductions from printed media only to recombine and assemble the chopped-up elements. This technique was particularly suited to the young art movement, since it enabled the artists to dissect – quite literally – and reveal the negative state of affairs within society. In the painting “The Journalists” dating from 1925, Höch simulated the Dadaist technique of montage. It is possible to make out six men before a background of various colours, which seems to be composed of diverse elements. The men are also assembled from different parts: their heads do not fit onto their bodies because they are too big. The faces are also alienated – to varying degrees. The unnaturally large noses and ears permit multiple associations; the unrealistically large noses, for example, could be a reference to the journalists’ ability to track down sensational news items. In addition to paintings and numerous collages, the artist’s extensive archive now belongs to the Berlinische Galerie. There is some justification, therefore, in referring to her as the museum’s ‘patron saint’. The Journalists, 1925 - Oil on canvas - 86 x 101 cm
Acquired with funds from the Foundation DKLB and budgetary funds of the Senator for Science and Art, Berlin
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2011
Natharius, David, "Images of the Combat Journalist – Reality & Fantasy," a power point presentation. Natharius is adjunct professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University. Presented to the Western States Communication Association Convention, Albuquerque, NM, Feb. 15, 2004, and to the National Communication Association (NCA) Convention, Chicago, IL, Nov. 12, 2004.
Occupations for Women series, Portrait of a Female Journalist.,1887. Part of the "Journalist, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes." From the new Metropolitan Museum of Art Online images collection.
Paul, Nora, director, Institute for New Media Studies, University of Minnesota, has a newspaper art collection of postcards and memorabilia, an extraordinary collection.
Rockwell, Norman, artist, Norman Rockwell Visits a Country Editor 1946. In Norman Rockwell Visits a Country Editor, Rockwell captures the essence of working in a bustling local newsroom. Rockwell invested a lot of time researching the locations for his illustrations, and in this case, he investigated the inner workings at the Monroe County Appeal in Paris, Missouri. Rockwell had an intense interest in being as accurate with details as possible. During his time researching the newsroom, President Roosevelt passed. The gentleman in the foreground is shown reading the front page of the newspaper with the headline "Death Comes to President"
Rockwell, Norman, artist, Art Critic, April 16, 1955. The art critic studying a locket in the painting is Jerry Rockwell, the oldest son of the artist. The whimsical lady in the painting is his mother, Mary (Rockwell added flaming red hair for fun). Should the student notice the painting looking back at him or look over his shoulder to see the Dutch gents glaring at him, I suspect he would run screaming from the museum and take up another subject to study.
Rockwell, Norman, artist, Movie Starlet and Reporters, 1936 (Saturday Evening Post cover, March 7, 1936. ©1936 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. Tear sheet currently on view and from the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum).
COMIC BOOKS
Bonfa, Illeano, L'alba di Superman: Lois e Clark dal New Deal alla guerra, 1941-1945 (The Dawn of Superman: Lois and Clark from the New Deal to the 1941-1945 War) , by Illeano Bonfa, December 27, 2018. Italian. The first Superman comics were published during the New Deal. The problems faced by the New Deal (financial speculation, corruption, poverty, unemployment, social security) can be found in the comics. Siegel and Schuster, like many comics authors, were American Jews, a social group that typically supported Roosevelt and his politics. In the years leading to the 1941-1945 war the United States slowlky moved from isolationism to interventionism. Superman comics testify to this evoluation and indeed anticipate it. We then consider Lois Lane in the role of reporter and its narrative function, hinting at the evolution of the character.
Brislin, Tom, EXTRA! The Comic Book Journalist Survives the Censors of 1955, Journalism History v. 21, pp. 123-130. Autumn, 1995. EXTRA! is a 1955 comic book that chose journalists as its protagonists. Unlike other comics that used the journalist to mask a secret superhero identity, such as Superman or Spider-man, EXTRA! portrayed the journal sits themselves, albeit in glorified form, as the heroes. EXTRA! built an impressive cast with an image of journalists that fit nearly into professional and gender stereotypes of the era. The male journalists were young, rugged and handsome, unencumbered by family, social, or community obligations. They were more likely to use their fists or a gun than a pen or camera. Women were easily divisible into "hard" and "soft" character types: Women journalists were "hard," equal in mettle to the males in the profession. The remainder of the sex was "soft," either in or making trouble. Women always played a part in getting the story; often they were the reward for male journalists afterward.
Foss (Beck), Katherine Ann, "It's a bird...it's a plane...it's a journalist?" A Framing Analysis of the Representation of Journalists and the Press in Comic Book Films. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University in Minnesota in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Art. October 2004.
Henderson, Tom, Everything I Need To Know About Journalism I Learned From Superman (And Other Comic Books) . Henderson, managing editor of the Polk County Itemizer-Observer in Dallas, Oregon, and “Mild Mannered Reporter” columnist for the paper. He is also President of the Society of Professional Journalists Greater Oregon Professional Chapter.
Kilmer, Paulette, The Shared Mission of Journalists and Comic Book Heroes: Saving the Day, The IJPC Journal, Volume 2, Fall 2010, pp. 86-107. Superheroes in comic books circa 1930 to 1960 embody the archetype of the warrior, who struggles to make a difference in the world and always fights for what really matters. Superhero warriors assert their gifts: courage, discipline, strength, and skill to defend the helpless, right wrongs, and save the day. Journalists also sometimes play that role of protecting the public from evil. This article explores the juxtaposition of reality and fiction essential to the comic book plots that idealize newspapers by presenting journalists as heroes. Indeed, these fantasy protagonists and living reporters share the mission to serve the public, expose wrongdoing, and minimize harm.
Knight, Bill, Comic Book Journalists Beyond Clark Kent, The IJPC Journal, Volume 1, Fall 2009, pp. 138-146.
Mackenzie, Hazel, "A Modern Asmodeus?Clark Kent, Journalistic Fantasies of Omniscience and the Panoptic Gaze." Dr Mackenzie is from the Department of English and Digital Media University of .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) “In a strong sense, Superman is the mighty newspaper.”i It is interesting, and perhaps a little odd, that Clark Kent is possibly the twentieth century’s most famous fictional representation of a journalist (narrowly beaten by his own girlfriend Lois Lane), and yet so little attention has been paid to this aspect of his persona. Clark Kent is the journalist as superhero. Moreover, he is the first and most famous of superheroes. IJPC publication.
Stevens, J. Richard, On the Front Line: Portrayals of War Correspondents in Marvel Comics' Civil War: Front Line, The IJPC Journal, Volume 1, Fall, 2009, pp. 37-69. The events of September 11, 2001 dramatically altered the daily routines, expectations, and social contexts that professional journalists normally follow in their production of news. Journalists found that maintaining a critical distance from various sides in a conflict was difficult in the wake of the terrorist attacks on American soil. As a result, the Patriot Act was passed and military action authorized with little or no critical discussion in the press. Recently, Marvel Comics published a comic book series titled Front Line as a companion to its Civil War miniseries. Many of the themes, arguments, and actions performed in Front Line, which is set in a world with super humans, demonstrate the complexities faced by journalists during times of extreme stress (such as enduring a domestic event of mass destruction). This article examines the performance, behavior, and treatment of the Front Line reporters as they operate in their professional capacity to uncover truth, and finds parallels with the news media’s performance following September 11.
Walz, Matt, Super Reporters! Moviepilot March 6, 2015. What do Superman and Spider-Man have in common besides their color schemes? Well, each have civilian identities-and each works for the foremost newspaper in their respective universes. Journalism has been tied to superheroes and comics more than any other profession besides "mad scientist". So who in comics joined the ranks of the press, and why?
MUSIC
Burnett, Smiley, "Extra, Extra" from the 1942 film, The Blazing Trail, Editor Smiley Burnett of the Bradytown Bugle hawking his papers and singing: "Extra. Extra here. Buy a paper. Extra. Extra here. You can read all about it. All the latest gossip on the beat. Tells you what you want to know and who’s been doing what. Buy it for two cents a sheet. Extra, extra, here you can read all about it. The bulldog edition’s on the street. Plumb full of scandals, swindles and fights. Buy it for two cents a sheet."
Ebb, Fred and John Kander, "We Both Reached for the Gun" from the musical, Chicago (1976 on the Broadway stage, 2003 in the movies) with lyrics by Ebb and music by Kander. Shows the manipulation of the media by an attorney in dynamic musical form. Tabloid Columnist Mary Sunshine. Attorney Billy & Reporters: "Oh Yes, Oh Yes, Oh Yes They Both, Oh Yes, They Both Oh Yes, They Both Reached For the Gun, The Gun, The Gun, The Gun Oh Yes, They Both Reached For The Gun, For the Gun." Mary Sunshine: "You poor dear! I can't believe what you've been through! A convent girl! A runaway marriage! Oh, it's too, too terrible. Now tell us, Roxie…." Reporters: "Why'd You Shoot Him?"… What's your Statement?…" Mary Sunshine dances with Billy: "Understandable. Understandable." With Billy: "Yes, It’s Perfectly Understandable." Mary Sunshine bounces in mid-air pulled by strings. Billy and Mary: "Comprehensible. Comprehensible." Mary Sunshine picks up Roxie and puts her back in Billy's lap. "Not a Bit Reprehensible. It's So Defensible." Reporters: "Oh Yes, Oh Yes, Oh Yes, They Both, Oh Yes, They Both Reached For…" Billy: "Let me hear it." Reporters: "The Gun, The Gun, The Gun, The Gun, Oh Yes, They Both Reached For The Gun, For The Gun." Billy: "Now you got it!" Mary Sunshine rips out an article on an Underwood and hands it to a Copy Boy. The sequence ends with a series of Chicago newspapers rolling off the presses with the headlines: "They Both Reached for the Gun."
Grofe, Ferde, Tabloid Suite: Four Pictures of a Modern Newspaper composed in 1932 consists of Picture No. 1: Run of the News (3:31). Picture No. 2 – Sob Sister (5:23). Picture No. 3 – Comic Strip (3:11). Picture No. 4 – Going to Press (7:38). New CD just released.
Hamlisch, Marvin and Craig Carnelia, "Dirt" from the 2002 Broadway musical, Sweet Smell of Success, sung by Gossip Columnist J.J. Hunsecker (John Lithgow). Music by Hamlisch; Lyrics by Carnelia; Book by John Guare based on the screenplay and the novella by Ernest Lehman. Entire musical involves newspaper and gossip columnists. Hunsecker is based on Gossip Columnist Walter Winchell in this musical adaptation of the 1965 movie.
Henley, Don, "Dirty Laundry," 1982: Journalist's cry, ""Come and whisper in my ear….We love dirty laundry."" Refrain shouts: ""Kick 'em when they're up. Kick 'em when they're down. Kick 'em all around."
Houston, Whitney, "Whatchulooinat" in 2003 album, Just Whitney. Concerns Tabloid Editor of the National Enquirer. Letter to the editor disguised as an R-and-B song: "Messin' with my reputation, ain't even got no education. God is the reason my soul is free, and I don't need you looking at me."
Gaga, Lady, "Paparazzi," 2009.
We are the crowd, we're c-coming out
Got my flash on it's true, need that picture of you
It's so magical,
We'd be so fantastical
Leather and jeans, garage glamorous,
Not sure what it means, but this photo of us
It don't have a price, ready for those flashing lights,
'Cause you know that baby I
I'm your biggest fan I'll follow you until you love me,
Papa-paparazzi,
Baby there's no other superstar you know that i'll be your
Papa-paparazzi
Promise i'll be kind, but i won't stop until that boy is mine,
Baby you'll be famous chase you down until you love me,
Papa-paparazzi
I'll be your girl, backstage at your show,
Velvet ropes and guitars, yeah 'cause you're my rockstar,
In between the sets, eyeliner and cigarettes,
Shadow is burnt, yellow dance and we turn,
My lashes are dry, purple teardrops I cry,
It don't have a price, loving you is cherry pie
'Cause you know that baby I
I'm your biggest fan I'll follow you until you love me,
Papa-paparazzi,
Baby there's no other superstar you know that i'll be your
Papa-paparazzi
Promise i'll be kind, but i won't stop until that boy is mine,
Baby you'll be famous chase you down until you love me,
Papa-paparazzi
Real good, we dance in the studio,
Snap, snap to that xxxx on the radio
Don't stop, for anyone,
We're plastic but we still have fun!
I'm your biggest fan I'll follow you until you love me,
Papa-paparazzi,
Baby there's no other superstar you know that i'll be your
Papa-paparazzi
Promise i'll be kind, but i won't stop until that boy is mine,
Baby you'll be famous chase you down until you love me,
Papa-paparazzi
Preffer, Spencer and Steve Punkett, "The Sky is Falling" from the TV children's program, Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child: Henny Penny, a TV children's program created in 1999, with music and lyrics by Preffer and Punkett. Reporter Henny Penny sings "The Sky is Falling" (performed by Patti Welch): "I've got the biggest story ever heard, they will hang on every word, I'm going to be a famous bird. Yes, I've got the biggest scoop I've ever had. The story's bound to be my launching pad. The sky is falling, you'd better watch your head, the sky is falling, the headline will be read, and everybody will know before it falls, that I'm the best reporter of them all.I'm sure the Pulitzer is mine, I will sign the dotted line on a book deal so divine. Yes Hollywood will demand the movie's rights and I'll be on the stage on Oscar Night. The sky is falling, You'd better watch your head, the sky is falling, the headline will be read. And everybody will know before it falls, that I'm the best reporter of them all.The sky is falling, you'd better watch your head, the sky is falling, the headline will be read. Woodward and Bernstein won't even get a call, cause I'm the top reporter, the number one reporter, yes, I'm the best reporter of them all.
Spin Doctors, "Jimmy Olsen's Blues," from the 1991 Spin Doctors album, "Pocket Full of Kryptonite." Cub Reporter-Photographer Olsen is in love with Reporter Lois Lane and laments he can't compete with Superman. "Well, I don't think I can handle this A cloudy day in Metropolis I think I'll talk to my analyst I got it so bad for this little journalist. It drives me up the wall and through the roof Lois and Clark in a telephone booth. I think I'm going out of my brain I got it so bad for little miss Lois Lane. Lois Lane please pue me in your plan Yeah, Lois Lane you don't need no Super Man. Come on downtown and stay with me tonight, I got a pocket full of kryptonite.He's Leaping buildings in a single bound I'm reading Shakespeare at my place downtown. Come on downtown and make love to me, I'm Jimmy Olsen not a titan, you see. He's faster than a bullet, stronger than a train. He's Leaping buildings in a single bound I'm reading Shakespeare at my place downtown. Come on downtown and make love to me, I'm Jimmy Olsen not a titan, you see. He's faster than a bullet, stronger than a train…"
Sugarman, Eddie (Lyrics) and Andrew Gerle (Music), Meet John Doe: The Musical, premiere in Washington D.C. Ford Theatre, 3-27-2007. Reporter Ann Mitchell loses her job in the middle of the Depression so she prints a phony letter from a “John Doe” who, protesting the state of society, promises to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge on Christmas Eve. Circulation goes through the roof and she convinces her editor to hire an out-of-work ballplayer to stand in for John Doe. The ambitious newspaper reporter ghost writes the “John Doe” column. With his words and his down-home charm, John Doe quickly becomes a national sensation. When the paper’s powerful owner reveals true plans for John Doe, both Ann and John must confront what they’ve created and decide what they truly believe in.
Sugarman, Eddie (Lyrics) and Andrew Gerle (Music), "I'm Your Man" from the musical, "Meet John Doe." Reporter Ann Mitchell sings this song to Editor Richard Connell trying to get her job back on the paper: “You want fireworks? I’ll give ya the Fourth of July! Lots of luck finding somebody better than I. Simply smashing. Really, Chief, you’re quite astute. Your plane’s crashing -- and you ditch your parachute.
You need someone with talent and passion and brains. You need someone with newspaper ink in their veins. No coffee cup has lipstick stains, but Brother, I’m your man.
I’ll write just what you say, anyway that you want. And when it comes to arguing I’m a savant!
Use my column, Any topic, take your pick. I can slalom Back and forth on rhetoric! You need someone who crosses her legs and her T’s. I’m so quick that I’ve got my own personal breeze.
I’ve got high heels and two of these, but Brother I’m your man.
I don’t need this position! So go on and throw out a gem. You have stiff competition. Dick! You can go to hell. I’ll go and work for them! Anything you need done, I’m the one for the job.
You want corny? I’ll type it right off of the cob. I need money, You need me to make a stir. Rent my fingers, I’ll throw in a Pulitzer!
Front Page headlines will keep Mom and me off the street. Come tomorrow some editor’s in for a treat. Just say the word, and that’s my beat! Brother, I’m your man.
Watch out, New York. Here comes -- Ann!.