What Dreams Were Made Of: Movie Stars of the 1940s

by Sean Griffin (Editor)

Overview

Humphrey Bogart. Abbott and Costello. Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. John Wayne. Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable. Images of these film icons conjure up a unique moment in cinema and history, one of optimism and concern, patriotism and cynicism. What Dreams Were Made Of examines the performers who helped define American cinema in the 1940s, a decade of rapid and repeated upheaval for Hollywood and the United States. Through insightful discussions of key films as well as studio publicity and fan magazines, the essays in this collection analyze how these actors and actresses helped lift spirits during World War II, whether in service comedies, combat films, or escapist musicals. The contributors, all major writers on the stars and movies of this period, also explore how cultural shifts after the war forced many stars to adjust to new outlooks and attitudes, particularly in film noir. Together, they represented the hopes and fears of a nation during turbulent times, enacting on the silver screen the dreams of millions of moviegoers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813549644
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	04/28/2011
Series:	Star Decades: American Culture/American Cinema
Pages:	268
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

Sean Griffin is an associate professor of the division of cinema—television at Southern Methodist University. He has written numerous books including Tinker Belles and Evil Queens, Queer Images, and America on Film, and he has edited a number of anthologies.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: Stardom in the 1940s Sean Griffin 1

1 Abbott and Costello: Who's on First? David Sedman 12

2 Gene Autry and Roy Rogers: The Light of Western Stars Edward Buscombe 33

3 Ingrid Bergman: The Face of Authenticity in the Land of Illusion Robin Blaetz 50

4 Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall: Tough Guy and Cool Dame Rick Worland 70

5 Claudette Colbert, Ginger Rogers, and Barbara Stanwyck: American Homefront Women David M. Lugowski 96

6 Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney: Babes and Beyond Sean Griffin 120

7 Greer Garson: Gallant Ladies and British Wartime Femininity Hannah Hamad 142

8 Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth: Pinned Up Adrienne L. McLean 166

9 Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn: Domesticated Mavericks Charlie Keil 192

10 John Wayne: Hero, Leading Man, Innocent, and Troubled Figure Edward Countryman 217

In the Wings Sean Griffin 235

Works Cited 239

Contributors 245

Index 247