Heavenly Bodies: Film Stars and Society

by Dyer,Richard

• ISBN13: 9780415310277
• ISBN10: 041531027X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2003-12-19
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

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. 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.

Author Biography

Richard Dyer is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Warwick.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	vii
Preface	ix
Acknowledgements	xi
Introduction	1	(16)
1 Monroe and sexuality	17	(47)
2 Paul Robeson: crossing over	64	(73)
3 Judy Garland and gay men	137	(55)
Notes	192	(2)
References	194	(7)
Index	201