Because the concept of stardom is synonymous with film, it is convenient to believe that the American film industry has been creating stars for as long as that industry has been in existence. This is not the case. For many years, pre 1910, actors were not even given a name. Producers feared rightly that actors would ask for higher wages, and become aware of their power. But all of the studios and production companies had a common goal: to make money. Stars did this, and made a lot of it for executives and producers, especially after they had gained identities in the public. Then these identities were exploited and fabricated in the many motion picture magazines. Gossip and scandal ruined some celebrities' careers while making others. Overall, the public couldn't receive enough of their favourite stars on the screen, in the papers, or on the cover of the magazines. After stardom reached a zenith in the twenties, studios had caught on, and thus began the Motion Picture Star System. They breaded actors and actresses by the hundreds with the hope that a handful would become the next superstar. As to whom was ultimately responsible for the star system - the public or producer - the answer must lie somewhere in between the two. But it is definite that the status of celebrities in the silent era had a direct part in the American star system, as well as pubic opinion and the clever minds of the production companies' executives. .
In the beginning, the mere phenomenon of moving images was all that was needed to tempt the public to spend money. The founding members of motion cinema, like the Lumieres Brothers, and others, made their living this way. But after a relatively short period of time the novelty wore thin - something else was needed. First came more complex plots, and more interesting narratives. And then came the stars. At around the turn of the century producers were less interested in using outside personalities in their films, presumably because of cost and other considerations.
