Classification, like definition is generally the result of selecting some aspect of a work over another. Defintions both split things apart and lump them together. Each kind of classification may group things together in different patterns. Classificiation of films:

Topics are usually found in the text (rather than subtext) and may or may not conform to genre distinctions. Films of the supernatural, monster movies may not really be genres. Supernatural films might be comedies, fantasies, horror, slasher and so on.

Time periods are often large divisions with a particular look or style to them such as impressionism, expressionism, cubism or general period such as Classic, Romantic, Modern

Technical aspect involves some change of a technical nature that alters the work. The appearance of sound, technicolor, wide screen and computer graphics, including enhancement and motion capture are examples. Realists and formalists are often divided along the lines of technical abilities. Formalist generally dislike technical advances which make the films more realistic (many objected for example to color and sound).

Specific studies have a certain "look" to them what might be called a "house style". RKO films have a different "look" to them than MGM films. It is often possible to recognize the studio responsible for a film without seeing the redit for the studio responsible for it.

Classsifying films by director seems easy enough, but in effect each film bears the imprint of all the other aspects of classification. Directors work with conventions of genre, house style. time period and so on. In looking at the films involved with a single director it is important to remember that film making is a group effort and the implact of many people is evident in the film. Agreement aesthetically between producer and director is likely to produce a picture which is It is interesting to note that although the one aspect of film making which is unique to this art form, neither editing nor editors are used as a method of classification. We do not offer, for example, classes in films edited by George Tomasini, nor interestingly enough do we classify films (or offer courses) by cinematographers such as James Wong Howe.

If we consider films to be a form of communication, like language. we realize that poets from one era differ from poets from another, and within eras differe from one another, People talk about Elizabethan style, but may also recognize Shakespeare's style as ojne unique to him, Similarly in music, composers of one era share much in common witj those of the same era, but are usually stylistically distinct from one another.

How each director puts a stamp of their own on a film is what allows audiences to recognize films by that director. This gives rise to the auteur concept of the film maker as author if the film.

With Val Lewton, a producer and Jacques Tourneur, a director there seems to be a remarkable agreement in approach to the material between the two - so much so that their names seem forever linked despit the fact that they only made 3 films together: Perhaps some of the similarity comes from them both being born outside of the US but spending much of the early years here. This shared experience may have caused them to have simlar visions about art, and to be drawn to similar aspects of the stories. Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie and Leopard Man. Many of the films made by each of these two men separately seem to have much in common even when Tourneur worked with different producers and Lewton with directors. Just who inspired whom may not really be the question. Certainly some of Tourneur's pre-Lewton work already show a tendency in the direction he became known for. Lewton's early writings show an interest in certain problems when re-emerge in his films as well.

Just what aspects of films making are linked to these two is what causes an examination of their films. During the course the trick is to try to isolate some of the things which make their films identifyable.

Cat People is their first fill length film together.