Origins of the Film Star System: Persona, Publicity and Economics in Early Cinema

In the early 20th century, film stardom emerged in Europe and North America due to economic circumstances. Andrew Shail's book explores how film studios and actors consented to the adoption of a star system, which prefigured and precipitated the star system. He demonstrates that series characters and the 'firmament of film stars are functionally equivalent, and how openly fictional characters still provide the model for 'real film stars.

Format: Hardback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In the early 20th century, film stardom emerged in Europe and North America, a phenomenon intricately traced by Andrew Shail through a comprehensive examination of archival sources. Building upon Richard deCordova's account of the birth of the US star system, Shail delves into the complex web of economic factors that shaped the adoption of this iconic system. He explores the transition of the film industry from producing standalone films to character-driven series, highlighting how these series characters both foreshadowed and precipitated the emergence of the star system. Shail demonstrates that the concept of film stars extends beyond real-life individuals, as fictional characters continue to serve as the blueprint for iconic cinematic figures. Through his meticulous research, Shail sheds light on the intricate interplay between economics, entertainment, and the creation of film stars, providing a rich and insightful perspective on the evolution of the film industry in this transformative period.

In the early 20th century, film stardom emerged in Europe and North America, a phenomenon intricately traced by Andrew Shail through a comprehensive examination of archival sources. Building upon Richard deCordova's account of the birth of the US star system, Shail delves into the complex web of economic factors that shaped the adoption of this iconic system. He explores the transition of the film industry from producing standalone films to character-driven series, highlighting how these series characters both foreshadowed and precipitated the emergence of the star system. Shail demonstrates that the concept of film stars extends beyond real-life individuals, as fictional characters continue to serve as the blueprint for iconic cinematic figures. Through his meticulous research, Shail sheds light on the intricate interplay between economics, entertainment, and the creation of film stars, providing a rich and insightful perspective on the evolution of the film industry in this transformative period.

Weight: 804g
Dimension: 237 x 167 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788312073