The Star System: Hollywood's Production of Popular Identities

by Paul McDonald

Overview

Looks at the development and changing organization of the star system in the American film industry. Tracing the popularity of star performers from the early "cinema of attractions" to the Internet universe, Paul McDonald explores the ways in which Hollywood has made and sold its stars. Through focusing on particular historical periods, case studies of Mary Pickford, Bette Davis, James Cagney, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith illustrate the key conditions influencing the star system in silent cinema, the studio era and the New Hollywood.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781903364024
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	06/13/2001
Series:	Short Cuts
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Paul McDonald is senior lecturer in film and television studies at the University of Surrey, Roehampton, UK. His additional chapter in Richard Dyer's classic text Stars was published in 1998.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
List of Tables and Charts
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Looking at Stars
1. Stardom as a System
2. Making the System
3. Controlling the System
4. Rethinking the System
Conclusion: Stars and Hollywood History
Filmography
Bibliography
Index of Names

What People are Saying About This

Roberta Pearson

A very good introduction to the topic filling an existing gap in the needs of teachers and students of the subject.

— Roberta Pearson, University of Wales, Cardiff

Editorial Reviews

A very good introduction to the topic filling an existing gap in the needs of teachers and students of the subject.

Roberta Pearson

There is no book out there that does as much to update Richard Dyer's classic account.

Jane Gaines