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From: elf@utcsrgv.UUCP (Eugene Fiume)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Beatles documentaries and docudramas (plus a question or two)
Message-ID: <3286@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Feb-84 13:28:53 EST
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.3286
Posted: Wed Feb 15 13:28:53 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 15-Feb-84 15:29:37 EST
References: <461@pyuxn.UUCP>
Organization: CSRG, University of Toronto
Lines: 29

Considering how nauseous "Stardust"--the movie--makes him, I'm surprised Rich
Rosen spends so much time talking about it, though it's not clear he actually
dislikes the movie.   By a happy coincidence, this movie was on late-night
TV last night, beaming into my Toronto home all the way from Kitchener,
Ontario.  In any case, I like the movie.  Sure, its plotline is based on the
exploits of some under-rated, no-name band more properly belonging in a
Harold Robbins "novel" (the band or the plotline?--I'll never tell).
However, all that's irrelevant (apart from making it appeal to kiddies of all
ages).  What is relevant is that the movie isn't about music, it's about the
music business and its interplay with harmless little vices like greed and
blind ambition.  And while it's cynical about the biz, it also points out that
it's a mutually incestuous relationship.  Of course, innocent little band
members are "taken in" by the big, bad music machine.  But it's clear 
throughout the movie that these guys (including the Essex character), aren't
particularly talented (their's a line to that effect in the movie).
So they make their way to the "top" by sheer fame-hunger.  Essex' character
has more of this quality, sidesteps his mates, and happily readies himself
for further exploitation.

What makes people think they deserve to be "stars"?  That people *want* to
be stars can be chalked to various psychological and practical factors.
Is it axiomatic that stars do not (cannot) live up to their billing?
(Observation:  judging by the hero-worship gobbledy-gook that goes on in this
newsgroup (from Bach to Van Halen), I guess many of you don't agree.)


Eugene Fiume
utzoo!utcsrgv!elf
U of Toronto