Basinger's embrace of the stars is one of the best things about her book. She does not write in a gossipy or contemptuous manner. As she has done in her other marvelous books, including her star-based book Silent Stars, Basinger writes in a refreshingly user-friendly fashion incorporating the points of view of a film historian and fan, but a fan who is able to look critically at the studio system and the stars they manufactured.
So what makes a star? Is it looks? Talent? Personality? The studio monolilths knew one thing: they could pluck someone from obscurity and put him or her through the formula, but unless that person clicked somehow with an audience, no amount of build-up would help. Those who give Jennifer Jones and Norma Shearer short shrift because they were married to studio moguls do them an injustice.
As can be seen from Darryl F. Zanuck's promotion of his girlfriends Bella Darvi Juliette Greco, or the buildups of the beautiful actresses Barbara Lawrence, Faith Domergue and Sigrid Gurie, without buy-in from the public, it's all for naught. The love affair between audience and performer either happens - or it doesn't.
Article comments
1 - Vikk Simmons
Sounds like the book provides an interesting and thoughtful glimpse into a world that no longer exists in this era nonstop celebrity news. While she's speaking of the past, I would think the reader would be comparing the system to the current crop of stars and their post-system world. I'll definitely take a further look at this one.
2 - Maria
Vikk, it's a great book, and she actually does have a chapter about today's stars "Stardom without the Machine" - I just didn't include it in the review. Enjoy. Maria
3 - Vikk Simmons
Now I'm even more intrigued. Thanks, Maria.