The Stars

Worshipped as heroes, treated as gods, movie stars are more than objects of admiration. A star's influence touches on every aspect of ordinary life, dictating taste in fashion, lifestyle, and desire. Edgar Morin's remarkable investigation into the cultural and social significance of the star system traces its evolution from the earliest days of the cinema - when stars like Chaplin, Garbo, and Valentino lived at a distance from their fans, far beyond all mortals, to the postwar era in which stars like Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe became familiar and familial, less unapproachable but more moving, and concludes with an analysis of the furious religious adulation surrounding the life and death of James Dean. Ultimately, Morin finds, stars are more than just creations of the movie studios; they serve as intermediaries between the real and the imaginary. Today, with the cult of fame more pervasive and influential than ever, The Stars remains a vibrant, vital, and surprising work. Genesis And Metamorphosis Of The Stars -- Gods And Goddesses -- The Stellar Liturgy -- The Chaplin Mystery -- The Case Of James Dean -- Star Merchandise -- The Star And The Actor -- The Star And Us -- Morin's Cinema Landmarks. Edgar Morin ; Translated By Richard Howard ; Foreword By Lorraine Mortimer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 155-160). Translated From French. Edgar Morin traces the evolution of the Hollywood 'star system' from the early days when stars seemed far beyond all mortals, to the more familial days of the 1950s, when stars were less unapproachable but more moving. He concludes with analysis of the furious religious adulation surrounding the life & death of James Dean Cover Half Title Imprint Contents Foreword (Lorraine Mortimer) Genesis and Metamorphosis of the Stars Gods and Goddesses The Stellar Liturgy The Chaplin Mystery The Case of James Dean Star Merchandise The Star and the Actor The Star and Us Morin’s Cinema Landmarks Notes Bibliography