Joseph McBride (writer)

Joseph McBride (born August 9, 1947) is an American film historian, biographer, screenwriter, novelist, and educator. He is best known for his critical studies of classic filmmakers, particularly Orson Welles, Frank Capra, John Ford, and Steven Spielberg.

McBride began his career as a film critic, writing for publications such as The Wisconsin State Journal, The Boston Globe, and Variety. He later transitioned to writing books about film, becoming a leading voice in film scholarship.

His biography, Orson Welles (1972), was a groundbreaking work and significantly influenced Welles scholarship. Other notable biographies include Frank Capra: The Catastrophe of Success (1992), considered a definitive account of Capra's life and career, and Searching for John Ford (2001).

McBride has also written screenplays, including Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979), and the 1996 HBO film The Second Civil War.

In addition to his writing, McBride has taught film at San Francisco State University, University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia College Chicago. He is a frequent commentator on film history and analysis. His work has contributed significantly to the appreciation and understanding of classic American cinema.