The Star System: Hollywood's Production of Popular IdentitiesWallflower Press, 2000 - 134 pages 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. |
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acting agency American box office American cinema American film industry American theatre appeared audience Balio became Bruce Willis Cagney camera career comedy conglomeration contemporary Hollywood Cordova Davis Davis's deal demand detailed division distributors division of labour early cinema early film economic example film actor film business film performers film production film's filmmaking Forrest genres high concept images of stars independent producers individual Internet Julia Roberts Jurassic Park Klaprat Last Action Hero Mary Pickford million movie narrative film negotiate North American box on-screen organised package package-unit system period Pickford popular Press profits promotion publicity release represented role salary Schwarzenegger Schwarzenegger's screen Shirley Temple Sleepless in Seattle Sony Staiger star contracts star discourse star identities star images star system star's Story studio system style talent television Temple's term contract tion Toy Story vaudeville Warner Bros William William K. L. Dickson Winchester 73