Exam 12: Film Stardom As a Cultural Phenomenon

Occasionally writers,directors,and producers design a project specifically with a particular star in mind,hoping to capitalize on audience expecta?tions.What are these projects called and why?

A project developed with a specific star in mind in order to showcase his established star persona is known as a "vanity project."

For audiences of all ages, James Dean has become synonymous with _________________.

Industry economists agree that star culture is central to the economic success of Hollywood.

Maria LaPlace demonstrates that Bette Davis's star persona defined her as ________.

________ developed the signature "Little Tramp" character and,due to the character's continuing appeal,is one of the few silent film stars still recognizable to mainstream audiences today.

Silent film comedian Buster Keaton was nicknamed "The Great Stoneface" by fans because of his unusually heavy white make-up.

Explain how Bette Davis's career demonstrates how the star phenomenon depends on collapsing an actor's private life into her performances.

According to legend,Florence Lawrence became one of the earliest film stars when ________.

Using Al Pacino's performance in Scarface or Judy Garland as examples,explain how some stars might appeal to a subculture,which responds to the star differently than the way mainstream audiences do.

Explain how one of these figures demonstrates the way the star persona collapses the boundary between performance and biography: Jodie Foster,Mickey Rourke,or Jennifer Anniston

Richard Dyer argues that a star's image is constructed across four different pub?lic arenas.What are those "arenas"?

Gay audiences identify with Judy Garland because ________.

Hollywood generates and maintains interest in stars by ___________________.

Describe Indian star Lata Mangeshkar's unusual star persona.

Lata Mangeshkar's star persona in India ________.

Studying how The Wrestler exploits actor Mickey Rourke's decaying looks demonstrates how audiences can respond to a performance on two levels: on the level of the diegesis and in the context of a star's personal history.

A star's pay for a film may come in the form of ________.

Al Pacino's performance as Tony Montana in Scarface is still heralded as iconic in ______________more than twenty-five years after its release.

In 2006,Tom Cruise demonstrated the central role stars play within the Hollywood economic structure by ________.