Larry Powell is a professor of communication studies at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He is the author or coauthor of several books and articles. Tom Garrett is an associate professor at Sam Houston State University, and a producer of independent feature films and documentaries.

“fascinating, informative look at one of American cinema’s most interesting directors. Recommended”—Examiner.com.

• Table of ContentsForeword by Jean BodonPreface1. The Early Career2. Joe: Speed Freaks versus the Silent Majority3. Cry Uncle: Returning (Already) to His Roots4. The Stoolie: At Odds with the Star5. Save the Tiger: Knocking on the Door of the Academy Awards6. Fore Play: Sex Comedies That Didn’t Work7. W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings: John Avildsen vs. Burt Reynolds8. Rocky: A Work of Inspiration9. Saturday Night Fever: Missing Out on a Blockbuster10. Slow Dancing in the Big City: A Former Sexploitation Director Tackles Romance11. The Formula: Avildsen and Marlon Brando12. Neighbors: The Difficult Becomes the Impossible13. A Night in Heaven14. The Karate Kid15. The Karate Kid Part II: Let the Sequels Begin16. Happy New Year17. For Keeps18. Lean on Me: Good Guys Don’t Always Win19. The Karate Kid Part III20. Rocky V: The End of the Line?21. The Power of One22. 8 Seconds23. Inferno (Desert Heat)EpilogueFilmographyNotesBibliographyIndex

Larry Powell is a professor of communication studies at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He is the author or coauthor of several books and articles. Tom Garrett is an associate professor at Sam Houston State University, and a producer of independent feature films and documentaries.

“fascinating, informative look at one of American cinema’s most interesting directors. Recommended”—Examiner.com.

• Table of ContentsForeword by Jean BodonPreface1. The Early Career2. Joe: Speed Freaks versus the Silent Majority3. Cry Uncle: Returning (Already) to His Roots4. The Stoolie: At Odds with the Star5. Save the Tiger: Knocking on the Door of the Academy Awards6. Fore Play: Sex Comedies That Didn’t Work7. W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings: John Avildsen vs. Burt Reynolds8. Rocky: A Work of Inspiration9. Saturday Night Fever: Missing Out on a Blockbuster10. Slow Dancing in the Big City: A Former Sexploitation Director Tackles Romance11. The Formula: Avildsen and Marlon Brando12. Neighbors: The Difficult Becomes the Impossible13. A Night in Heaven14. The Karate Kid15. The Karate Kid Part II: Let the Sequels Begin16. Happy New Year17. For Keeps18. Lean on Me: Good Guys Don’t Always Win19. The Karate Kid Part III20. Rocky V: The End of the Line?21. The Power of One22. 8 Seconds23. Inferno (Desert Heat)EpilogueFilmographyNotesBibliographyIndex

Larry Powell is a professor of communication studies at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He is the author or coauthor of several books and articles. Tom Garrett is an associate professor at Sam Houston State University, and a producer of independent feature films and documentaries.

“fascinating, informative look at one of American cinema’s most interesting directors. Recommended”—Examiner.com.

• Table of ContentsForeword by Jean BodonPreface1. The Early Career2. Joe: Speed Freaks versus the Silent Majority3. Cry Uncle: Returning (Already) to His Roots4. The Stoolie: At Odds with the Star5. Save the Tiger: Knocking on the Door of the Academy Awards6. Fore Play: Sex Comedies That Didn’t Work7. W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings: John Avildsen vs. Burt Reynolds8. Rocky: A Work of Inspiration9. Saturday Night Fever: Missing Out on a Blockbuster10. Slow Dancing in the Big City: A Former Sexploitation Director Tackles Romance11. The Formula: Avildsen and Marlon Brando12. Neighbors: The Difficult Becomes the Impossible13. A Night in Heaven14. The Karate Kid15. The Karate Kid Part II: Let the Sequels Begin16. Happy New Year17. For Keeps18. Lean on Me: Good Guys Don’t Always Win19. The Karate Kid Part III20. Rocky V: The End of the Line?21. The Power of One22. 8 Seconds23. Inferno (Desert Heat)EpilogueFilmographyNotesBibliographyIndex