The range of images, both photographic and metaphorical, that have represented the New York borough of Manhattan in the movies, rivals the tapestry of images available on the island itself. Grossvogel (comparative literature and Romance studies, Cornell U.) takes readers on a tour of movies that have featured Manhattan as a major character, dividing his subject into such categories as "literary Manhattan," "gangster New York," "the daily grind," and "immigrant New York." The way the directors' visions of New York relate to different portions of its culture and history is discussed. With very few exceptions, such as Spike Lee's Brooklyn-based Do the Right Thing , only movies of Manhattan are considered. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)