The Star Phenomenon - Core Post 1

         The idea of stars and celebrity in society is strange. The idea that anyone can rise up and become famous, with or without talent, to a point where people idolize them is odd yet attractive to many people. Richard Dyer talks about all of the different kinds of fame and celebrity manipulations, especially how we as a culture are transfixed and influenced by these stars. He also discusses the sociological and semiotic elements of studying about stars. The sociological focuses on the star being an “an influential or symptomatic, social phenomenon, as well as being an aspect of film’s industrial nature”, while the semiotic centers on that “stars are only of significance because they are in films and therefore are part of the way films signify” (Page 1). He then also talks about celebrity and the manipulation they uphold, suggesting that celebrity has nothing to even do with film at all. He says, “a star is well-known for her/his well-knownness, and not for any talent or specific quality” (Page 13). When we have celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and Meryl Streep, these different definitions of stardom are necessary, as different celebrities have different talents and impacts on society; Fame for no reason, fame because of their films, and a star power to catapult any film into massive success. 

          In the film All About Eve, Margot Channing, although very talented and famous, struggles with the idea that she many not be relevant anymore. She fears losing her status more so than not being able to act, and she worries that Eve will take over her star status in the theater. Margot lives the celebrity life. She is dating Bill Sampson, a prestigious director in the theater, and her best friend is married to famous playwright, Lloyd Richards. She has a personal assistant, a beautiful home and throws her mink on the floor like she has twenty more in her closet. Margot’s persona carries much farther than the play, to the point where her talent is irrelevant in the film. We never see Margot actually perform on stage or discuss the psychology of her character. It’s almost as if the work is there to supplement her star status. Eve studies Margot in her personal life because she wants to attain the celebrity status that Margot has. When Margot ultimately loses the role to Eve, her pride is hurt more than the missed opportunity to play Cora. She is aware that her celebrity status is waning and has to try and make peace with it. 

       This film still feels very timely, especially with female stars turning forty today. In recent interviews, Meryl Streep has stated that the year she turned forty she was offered to play a witch three separate times. Do you believe that we've made any progress since All About Eve came out in the 50s, or do you think we've backtracked with our unrealistic expectations on what beauty means and how we want our women portrayed on screen?