RTF Blog Assignment # 5- The Star System

     The misfortunes of the Great Depression in the early 20^th century strengthened control of a few big film studios due to the elimination of small independent producers.  In doing so, these few remaining studios were economically stronger and were in the hands of a small number of studio executives.  Thus, the creation of the studio system emerged.  There are a number of aspects by which the studio system functioned.  One aspect that I feel is crucial to the contribution of success in the studio system is the star system.  Throughout the development of films in this time period certain stars began to attract various viewers of different genres.  These stars eventually became the best representation of what studios accomplished.

     The use of the star system affected the types of films studios produced in a number of ways.  Certain stars began to associate with specific genres and studios.  Therefore, stars in gangster films are likely to appear in future gangster films.  This same concept applies to comedies, horrors, suspense and ect.  Moreover, stars carried a consistent set of character traits. Later on films started to lure viewers no matter what the film was about due to certain stars appearing in these films.  According to professor Tait’s lecture, stars were tangible products of immaterial production.  These stars are then paid to sell the studio’s products/films.

     Consider the example, actress Judy Garland.  Judy Garland was a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer or MGM star who appeared in works like the Andy Hardy series, The Wizard of OZ and Babes in Arms.  Throughout her success she carried a consistent set of character traits, associated with different genres and even promoted other MGM stars.  Judy Garland was therefore a clear representation of the MGM studio, and contributed greatly to the success of the MGM studio.

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