In Apparatus theory and textual analysis, the star is simply a function of thnarrative part of the textual system, albeit, influenced by the persona of the star external to the film. Current emphasis is focused on the inter-textuality of stars that circulates and flows between a wide range of differing texts, such as the film, tv entertainment, magazines, fan internet sites, advertising and the music business where increasingly film stars and musical stars cross over.”

 Celebrity culture has changed drastically since the days of the studio system – while stars were still gossiped about and obsessed over, much less was known about the reality of their personal lives and they were able to maintain an aura of mystery. Their identities as “stars” were based on the films that they appeared in – the “textual analysis” that Campbell describes – as well as through the few interviews conducted and the occasional gossip column. Today, every detail of a “star’s” life can be tracked on the internet, on television, and in magazines – a major stars’s every move is constantly documented by photograph or blog. When we think of a star or celebrity, their identity isn’t limited to their work onscreen anymore – we internalize their television appearances, fashion and music projects, and love lives. The discrepancy between the air of mystery that movie stars wish to maintain (especially onscreen) and the reality of leading their lives under constant surveillance is what makes today’s star system and conceptions of what constitutes a “star” today particularly interesting.

            Given the high-wattage cast of Grand Hotel, many rumors circulated around the expected clash of personalities on set. Few incidents were actually reported or confirmed, although many were gossiped about and milled over, especially concerning the two “divas”, Garbo and Crawford. Campbell’s book and chapter on the social phenomenon of movie stars provide interesting analysis to apply towards understanding why Grand Hotel is such a celebrated film and how it created the concept of a true, high-powered ensemble cast.