Maggie Hennefeld è un'accademica la cui ricerca approfondisce la ricca storia e l'impatto culturale della commedia cinematografica. Il suo lavoro esamina criticamente l'evoluzione dell'umorismo e delle sue varie forme, rivelando come riflettono i cambiamenti sociali e gli atteggiamenti culturali prevalenti. Attraverso il suo approccio analitico, Hennefeld cerca di scoprire i significati più profondi e le implicazioni sociali più ampie insite nelle opere comiche.
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.