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Heavenly Bodies: Film Stars and Society

Paperback

Main Details

Title Heavenly Bodies: Film Stars and Society
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Richard Dyer
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback
Pages:224
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreFilms and cinema
ISBN/Barcode 9780415310277
ClassificationsDewey:302.2343
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational
Edition 2nd Revised edition
Illustrations 55 b&w photos

Publishing Details

Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint Routledge
Publication Date 4 December 2003
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Richard Dyer's classic study of movie stars and stardom has been updated for a second edition, with a new introduction by the author discussing the rise of celebrity culture and developments in the study of stars since publication of the first edition in 1986. Dyer's illuminating study is based around case studies of three major stars: Marilyn Monroe, Paul Robeson and Judy Garland. He draws on a wide range of sources, including the films in which each star appeared, to illustrate how each star's persona was constructed, and goes on to examine each within the context of particular issues in fan culture and stardom. Dyer discusses Marilyn Monroe in the context of ideas about sexuality in the 1950s and her perceived status as a victim of patriarchy, Robeson in terms of black identity and the ways in which he used his star status to further socialist and anti-racist causes, and Garland in light of her special place in gay male culture.

Reviews

'the seminal theorist in the field of star studies... groundbreaking' - Journal of Visual Culture