Brégent-Heald - Borderland Films: American Cinema, Mexico, and Canada during the Progressive Era

There have been so many people and institutions that have played a part in helping me bring this project to completion, which I began in 2007. I apologize in advance for any person or organization I overlook. I first want to acknowledge funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, as well as the institutional support and financial assistance received from Memorial University of Newfoundland. I extend a special thanks to Terry Bishop-Stirling, Sean Cadigan, and Chris You, each of whom, while serving as head of the History Department, provided me with encouragement as I was executing the manuscript. I also offer thanks to my colleagues, particularly Terry Bishop-Stirling and Jeff Webb, whose generosity, sense of humor, and friendship have been most appreciated, and John Sandlos, who read an early version of chapter 1. Thanks also go to Edward Dodd, who proofread a draft of the manuscript. I am grateful to Rene Clowe and Fran Warren for assisting me with a wide-ranging number of tasks, from fixing photocopier jams to helping me fill out postresearch trip travel claim forms.

During my research trips I was helped by a legion of archivists, reference librarians, and staff at the following institutions: Margaret Herrick Library at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences; Manuscript Division and the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division at the Library of Congress; Library and Archives of Canada; BC Archives; and Archives of Ontario. Without the diligence of the Document Delivery crew at the Queen Elizabeth II Library at Memorial, I probably would still be working on the book. Matthew Bokovoy and the staff at the University of Nebraska Press have been most supportive and encouraging in guiding this research project to its completion.

Over the years I have also benefited from the advice and expertise of fellow borderlands scholars. In particular Sterling Evans, the late Nora Faires, Claudia Sadowski-Smith, and John Herd Thompson have enthusiastically encouraged my scholarship. In 20067 I was fortunate to participate in the Bridging National Borders symposium cosponsored by the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University and at the Simon Fraser University. Working with Ben Johnson, Andrew Graybill (who kindly read an early draft of chapter 5), and the other participants (especially Catherine Cocks, Michel Hogue, and Deborah Kang) was an extremely rewarding and enriching intellectual experience. Most important, I am indebted to the scholarly generosity of Carol Higham and Sheila McManus, who read and provided extensive feedback on several drafts of my manuscript. Their candid comments and detailed suggestions were invaluable to me.

Above all I want to express my gratitude to friends and family for their patience and boundless support. Thank you to extended family members who have always offered me places to stay and lots to eat (not to mention wine to drink) while traveling to southern California for research. My sister, Delphine, has constantly been there to give me a boost when I needed it most. Words cannot describe how much my mom, Christina Petrowska Quilico, has helped me through thick and thin. I am so glad to have you in my corner. Last but certainly not least, I want to acknowledge my biggest cheerleaders: my husband, Merrill, my girls, Stella and Tillie, and the furkids. Thank you for loving me despite my foibles.