In Memoriam: Martin ‘Marty’ Norden

Martin “Marty” Norden, professor in the Department of Communication for over 45 years, died after a recent illness. Norden was also a core faculty member and energetic contributor to the interdisciplinary UMass Film Studies Program.

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Marty earned his Ph.D. in speech and dramatic art from the University of Missouri-Columbia, deepening his interest in radio, TV and film. He also had a great love of theater, appearing in more than 40 productions with the UMass Amherst and Smith College theater departments, the Amherst-based Story Spinners and other theater companies. 

As a professor of communication at UMass Amherst, he taught screenwriting, the history of film, intro to film studies and other courses. He researched the intersections of film, history and society: his many interests included the film representation of people with disabilities, the film/TV construction of evil, early women filmmakers and their productions, Disney films and vintage horror films. His publications appeared in the Journal of Film and Video, Wide Angle, Film & History, Film Criticism, Leonardo, Paradoxa, Offscreen, Millennium Film Journal, Feminist Media Histories, and in numerous anthologies and encyclopedias. His authored books included “The Cinema of Isolation: A History of Physical Disability in the Movies,” “ReFocus: The Films of Paul Leni” and “Lois Weber: Interviews.”

Those who knew him say they are glad to have experienced his generosity, kindness and enthusiastic, welcoming spirit.

The Department of Communication is planning a memorial for Wednesday, April 5, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Amherst Room of the Campus Center.