The Star System: Hollywood's Production of Popular Identities looks at the development and changing organisation 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, the key conditions influencing the star system in silent cinema, the studio era and the New Hollywood are discussed and illustrated by cases studies of Mary Pickford, Bette Davis, James Cagney, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith.

Paul McDonald is Senior Lecturer in Film and Television Studies at the University of Surrey, Roehampton, UK.

2000
144 pages
978-1-903364-02-4    £12.99 (pbk)

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reviews
'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

‘There is no book out there that does this much to update Richard Dyer’s classic account.’
Professor Jane Gaines, Duke University

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