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Vaughn Joy

Vaughn Joy Profile Photo

I’m an independent researcher and recent graduate with a PhD in History from University College London. My first book, Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy (2025), explores how Hollywood manipulated the American Christmas holiday for socially conservative ends in the post-war, early Cold War period in response to federal pressures on the motion picture industry. My other work concerns McCarthyism, Hollywood business practices and politics, and media literacy of pop culture. I’m currently located just outside one of my favorite American cities (Boston) with my favorite American Studier (Ben) and my favorite American cat (Biscuits). (But we’re willing to relocate if you’re hiring!)

Dec. 15, 2025

Christmas Films, the Early Cold War & the FBI

When It’s a Wonderful Life was first released, it wasn’t a box office hit, but it did draw the attention of the FBI and its investigation into the Communist Infiltration of the Motion Picture Industry (COMPIC). The House Un-A...
Guest: Vaughn Joy
Dec. 25, 2023

Love Actually & the Healing Power of Christmas Films

What makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie? How do Christmas movies react to – and help us heal from – collective trauma? How can a British Christmas movie feel quintessentially American? We discuss all that and more this...
Guest: Vaughn Joy