Danny Shipka

author of Perverse Titillation: The Exploitation Films of Italy, Spain and France, 1960-1980

February 4, 2013

Previously a faculty member at Louisiana State University, Dr. Shipka returns to Oklahoma St. after a 10-year absence. He received his undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism at OSU as well as his M.S. in International Studies. As well as Cowboy, he is also a proud Gator having obtained his Ph.D at the University of Florida. There he was selected as mass communication school's Student Teacher of the Year in 2005 as well as one of the university wide awards in 2006. At LSU, he received Manship School of Mass Communication teaching award in 2009 as well as the university wide one in 2010.

Dr. Shipka is passionate about strategic communication and popular culture. His previous book Perverse Titillation: European Exploitation Films 1960-1980 (2011) looked closely at film industries of Italy, French, and Spain as they produced a stunning amount of horror and sexually explicit films that influenced modern filmmakers. His second book due in 2013, Global Fear: International Horror Film Directors continues the examination of this phenomenon.

The exploitation film industry of Italy, Spain and France during the height of its popularity from 1960 to 1980 is the focus of this entertaining history. With subject matter running the gamut from Italian zombies to Spanish werewolves to French lesbian vampires, the shocking and profoundly entertaining motion pictures of the "Eurocult" genre are discussed from the standpoint of the films and the filmmakers, including such internationally celebrated auteurs as Mario Bava, Jess Franco, Jean Rollin and Paul Naschy. The Eurocult phenomenon is also examined in relation to the influences that European culture and environment have had on the world of exploitation cinema.

URL: https://library.okstate.edu/news/celebratingbooks/2013-honorees/danny-shipka

Last Updated: 12 January 2022