An American dream in lights and shadows

  If you're at all familiar with old Hollywood movie stars, you're sure to be familiar with at least one “discovered” story – most big stars of the day had them. Marilyn Monroe was discovered by a photographer while working in a California munitions factory during World War II. John Wayne was discovered while doing grunt work, moving props on the set of a film. [...] These stories, printed and reprinted in fan magazines of the time, became a sort of personalized lore that followed old Hollywood stars for their entire careers and served several important functions. Chiefly, that of marketing. [...]
  In an age before televised interviews were the norm, let alone any social media, a good down to earth backstory helped to encourage parasocial relationships that would attach an audience to their favorite celebrity. With such a narrative, Marilyn became much more than just a Hollywood star – she was something better – an all-American girl who'd made it big, and a symbol for the public of what was possible. [...]
  In the period following WWII, when Hollywood was at its most influential, this idea that a star could come from anywhere played directly into the myth of the American Dream. The dream that with hard work – socioeconomic status be damned – anyone can attain enviable success. The dream that with a little luck, even you could be a star.