This book documents in-depth the historical and socio-economic factors that created Latino and Latina images and stereotypes, beginning with the conquest of the American continent by Europeans followed by colonization and the creation of new nation-states in the early 1800s. These concepts were incorporated into the popular literature of the 19th century and then into the infant motion picture art form in the 1890s. The book presents a technologically focused overview of the Hollywood film industry and the evolution of Latino/a images and icons, with a special emphasis on the 1960s to the present era. The book documents this history decade-by-decade: analysing the socio-economic factors that created the specific images and icons; the key films and film stars and filmmakers (with biographies) from each decade; and a discussion of the role of gender, social class, and ethnicity in film portrayals. The book also provides an overview of the modern Latino community mosaic, one that is dynamically diverse and geographically dispersed throughout the United States and the Americas. Included are more than 80 photos depicting this truly fascinating history.

Images from movies and film have had a powerful hand in how Native Americans are perceived. In many cases, they have been represented as violent, uncivilized, and an impediment to progress and civilization. This book analyzes the representation of Native Americans in cinematic images from the 1890s to the present day, deconstructing key films in each decade. This book also addresses efforts by the Native American to improve and have a part in their filmic representations, including mini-biographies of important indigenous filmmakers and performers.