For more than a century, Hollywood has relied on star power as the most reliable way to draw an audience. From the early days of silent movies, when Mary Pickford was able to command $10,000 a week to modern times, when actors like Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks are guaranteed $20 million (or more) a picture, the film studios have recognized the crucial role stars played at the box office. This presentation will look at the history of movie stardom—how originally film actors weren’t even identified by name, how Mary Pickford became “America’s Sweetheart” and the first real film star, how the Hollywood studios manufactured stars like Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and Lana Turner during its Golden Age, how the star system changed once television came on the scene, and how actors like Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, and Denzel Washington ushered in a new definition of stardom during the last few decades.

Presented by Brian Rose.  Snacks will be served.

This program is being offered as a hybrid program - patrons may attend at the Library or online via Zoom. Registration is requested, but not required for in person attendance. Online participants must register to receive the Zoom link.

 

This program is sponsored by the Woburn Public Library Foundation.