What Dreams Were Made Of : Movie Stars of the 1940's / Sean Griffin.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Griffin, Sean, Editor.

Series:

Star Decades: American Culture/American

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (270 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Brunswick, NJ : Rutgers University Press, [2011]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Humphrey Bogart. Abbott and Costello. Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. John Wayne. Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable. Images of these film icons conjure up a unique moment in cinema and history, one of optimism and concern, patriotism and cynicism. What Dreams Were Made Of examines the performers who helped define American cinema in the 1940's, a decade of rapid and repeated upheaval for Hollywood and the United States. Through insightful discussions of key films as well as studio publicity and fan magazines, the essays in this collection analyze how these actors and actresses helped lift spirits during World War II, whether in service comedies, combat films, or escapist musicals. The contributors, all major writers on the stars and movies of this period, also explore how cultural shifts after the war forced many stars to adjust to new outlooks and attitudes, particularly in film noir. Together, they represented the hopes and fears of a nation during turbulent times, enacting on the silver screen the dreams of millions of moviegoers.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Stardom in the 1940's / Griffin, Sean

1. Abbott and Costello: Who's on First? / Sedman, David

2. Gene Autry and Roy Rogers: The Light of Western Stars / Buscombe, Edward

3. Ingrid Bergman: The Face of Authenticity in the Land of Illusion / Blaetz, Robin

4. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall: Tough Guy and Cool Dame / Worland, Rick

5. Claudette Colbert, Ginger Rogers, and Barbara Stanwyck: American Homefront Women / Lugowski, David M.

6. Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney: Babes and Beyond / Griffin, Sean

7. Greer Garson: Gallant Ladies and British Wartime Femininity / Hamad, Hannah

8. Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth: Pinned Up / McLean, Adrienne L.

9. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn: Domesticated Mavericks / Keil, Charlie

10. John Wayne: Hero, Leading Man, Innocent, and Troubled Figure / Countryman, Edward

In the Wings / Griffin, Sean

Works Cited

Contributors

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 21. Dez 2019)

ISBN:

1-283-86461-4

0-8135-5084-X

OCLC:

775302257