Damsels and divas : European stardom in silent Hollywood / Agata Frymus.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Frymus, Agata, 1989- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Negri, Pola, 1899-1987.

Negri, Pola.

Banky, Vilma, 1898-1991.

Banky, Vilma.

Goudal, Jetta, 1891-1985.

Goudal, Jetta.

Motion picture actors and actresses--United States--Biography.

Motion picture actors and actresses.

United States.

America.

Motion pictures--United States--History--20th century.

Motion pictures.

History.

Motion pictures--European influences.

White people in motion pictures.

Femininity in motion pictures.

Silent films--United States--History and criticism.

Silent films.

America--In motion pictures.

Genre:

Biographies.

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

History.

Physical Description:

vii, 232 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Other Title:

European stardom in silent Hollywood

Place of Publication:

New Brunswick : Rutgers University Press, [2020]

Summary:

"Damsels and Divas investigates the meanings of Europeanness in Hollywood during the 1920s by charting professional trajectories of three movie stars: Pola Negri, Vilma Bánky and Jetta Goudal. It combines the investigation of American fan magazines with the analysis of studio documents, and the examination of the narratives of their films, to develop a thorough understanding of the ways in which Negri, Bánky and Goudal were understood within the realm of their contemporary American culture. This discussion places their star personae in the context of whiteness, femininity and Americanization. Every age has its heroines, and they reveal a lot about prevailing attitudes towards women in their respective eras. In the United States, where the stories of rags-to-riches were especially potent, stars could offer models of successful cultural integration"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

Pola Negri and Romance: 'Ah love! It's not for me.'

Pola Negri as The Vamp: 'Temptatious Pola assailed picture citadel by storm.'

Vilma Bánky and Whiteness: 'The almost perfect Anglo-Saxon type, more English than the English.'

Vilma Bánky as The Leading Lady: 'Bedecked in flowing gowns (...) and layers of pearls and jewels.'

Vilma Bánky and Marriage: 'My mother brought me up to be a wife.'

Jetta Goudal and Exoticism: 'She looks like a beautiful Cossack. She looks like an Oriental princess.'

Jetta Goudal and Mystery: 'A riddle in the city of eager autobiographies.'

Jetta Goudal and Temperament: 'The most temperamental actress.'

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781978806085

1978806086

9781978806092

1978806094

OCLC:

1114444634