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Movie Crazy

Stars, Fans, and the Cult of Celebrity

Palgrave Macmillan

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  • ISBN: 978-1-137-10319-2
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Softcover Book USD 54.99
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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages N1-vi
  2. Introduction

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 1-7
  3. From Reel to Real: The First Movie Fans

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 9-33
  4. The Cult of Personality

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 35-57
  5. The Chance of a Lifetime

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 59-83
  6. The Inside Scoop

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 85-108
  7. The Movie Star Fan Club

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 109-134
  8. The View from Hollywood

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 135-158
  9. The Fandom Menace

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 159-184
  10. Conclusion

    • Samantha Barbas
    Pages 185-188
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 189-218

About this book

While the impact that legendary actors and actresses have had on the development of the Hollywood film industry is well known, few have recognised the power of movie fans on shaping the industry. This books redresses that balance, and is the first study of Hollywood's golden era to examine the period from the viewpoint of the fans. Using fan club journals, fan letters, studio production records, and other previously unpublished archival sources, Samantha Barbas reveals how the passion, enthusiasm, and ongoing activism of film fans in Hollywood's golden era transformed early cinema, the modern mass media and American popular culture.

Keywords

  • America
  • cinema
  • culture
  • enthusiasm
  • film
  • Hollywood
  • industry
  • mass
  • mass media
  • media
  • stars

Reviews

Reviews for the hardback edition

'A unique film history with astute commentary.' Library Journal

'With this book in hand, we can begin to understand what is popular in American popular art.' Lary May, author of The Big Tomorrow: Hollywood and the Politics of the American Way

'I loved this exploration of the synergism between fans, stars, studios, and the celebrity and consumer cultures in Hollywood's Golden Age. Movie Crazy is a revelation.' Diana McLellan, author of The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood

'Movie fans will appreciate the story of celebrities, fans, studios, stars and film producers...' - Deland (FL) Beacon

About the author

SAMANTHA BARBAS received her Ph.D. in American history from the University of California at Berkeley. She currently teaches in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Arizona State University.

Bibliographic Information

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-1-137-10319-2
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)