Star System of Hollywood Movies

The method of creating and promoting film starsstar system of Hollywood movies to come into
in Hollywood movies is known as the star system.existence. Some of the main reasons can be
Different studios would select talented actors andtraced from the following incidents.
create roles for them, often inventing new namesThomas Edison and the Motion Picture Patents
and even new backgrounds. Stars that wentCompany (MPPC) forced the filmmakers to use
through this star system in Hollywood movies aretheir equipments and follow their rules, since they
Cary Grant, Joan Crawford and Rock Hudson. Inowned most of the patents of the motion picture
this system the emphasis is on the image ratherequipments. It was known that the MPPC did
than on acting. Although acting, voice, and dancingpromote some actors during that time.
lessons are apart of the common element of theThere was gradually a change in the star system
regimen.of Hollywood movies, and the main reason for
They had rules and restrictions that these newthis was that the public wanted to know the real
budding actors had to follow. Some of themname of the actors. Film audiences constantly
being, they were not allowed to leave the houserecognized a number of performers in movies
without putting any makeup and wearing stylishthat they liked. As the names of these stars
clothes especially when it comes to female actors.were not disclosed the audience would give them
Whereas, the male actors they were expectednicknames. Such as the Biograph Girl, Florence
to be seen in public as gentlemen. The starLawrence and many more.
system of Hollywood movies had moralityThe MPPC was gaining control over the movie
clauses, which was a common part of the actor'sindustry until Carl Laemmle promoted the first film
studio contracts.star. He was independent of the MPPC and used
Just as the executives, public relations staffs, andstar promotion to fight MPPC control over the film
the agents worked together with the actor toindustry. He got hold of Lawrence from Biograph
create a star character, so also they would workand spread a rumor that she was killed at a car
together to cover up the incidents or lifestylesaccident but then later combated this rumor and
which were thought of as disrespectful and whichsaid she was doing fine and would be starring in
might damage or spoil the image of the actor inthe up-coming film produced by him.
the eye of the public.Another reason that led to the beginning of the
As a part of this system, performers were notstar system in Hollywood movies was the
identified in films due to two main reasons. One isdevelopment of the film magazines that gave
that the stage performers were embarrassed tofans knowledge about the actors. Which includes
be in films. As initially they were featured in silentthe lifestyles of the actors outside their film roles.
film and it was considered pantomime, which isSome of the popular magazines of the time were
the art of conveying emotions, actions, feelings,the Motion Picture Story Magazine and Photoplay.
etc by gestures without speech. As one of theThey focused on movies stories but later they
main skills of actors was their voice, they werebegan to focus more on the actors catering to
afraid that appearing in films would ruin theirreader's tastes.
reputation.The standards set by the legitimate theatre
The other reason for the performers not beingencouraged films to follow the star system of the
identified in films was because producers fearedstage. These are some of the main reason of
that actors would gain more prestige and powerhow star system in Hollywood movies came into
and the stars might thus demand more money.being.
There were many incidents that have cause the