Maggie Hennefeld es una académica cuya investigación profundiza en la rica historia y el impacto cultural de la comedia cinematográfica. Su trabajo examina críticamente la evolución del humor y sus diversas formas, revelando cómo reflejan los cambios sociales y las actitudes culturales predominantes. A través de su enfoque analítico, Hennefeld busca desenterrar los significados más profundos y las implicaciones sociales más amplias inherentes a las obras cómicas.
The book delves into the overlooked narratives surrounding "hysterical laughter," particularly in the context of women's experiences. It examines how society has both theorized and demonized this form of amusement, highlighting the ways it has been suppressed and exploited throughout history. Through this exploration, the author sheds light on the complex relationship between gender and laughter, uncovering the cultural implications and historical significance of women's laughter.
In Specters of Slapstick and Silent Film Comediennes, Maggie Hennefeld examines little-known silent films that, she argues, provide disturbing but suggestive images for comprehending gendered social upheavals in the early twentieth century. Hennefeld shows how slapstick comediennes were crucial to the emergence of film language and experimentation.