10^3

The classical Hollywood system had many parts to it, one of them being the star system.  The star system was a sort of actor exploitation: using the actors as an image for new and upcoming movies.  In this system, the film hardly ever mattered, as long as so and so was in it, the movie would become popular.  These stars would also be used to promote up and coming stars, creating a continual process.  The studios would poach actors from an early age, glamorizing them and making them into likable characters.  By molding who they would play from an early age, the actors were exclusively linked to both their specific studio and specific genre.  Because these star system actors were tied down to specific genres, this often affected what movies the studios put out, based on the popularity of a particular actor.

The studios would act in response to who the public liked the most, churning out movies that reflected that character and appropriate genre.  Thus, the industry went through a monotonous cycle of actors, contractually forced to play the same role over and over again.  Studios would also rent actors from other studios in hopes of producing similar successes. 

A classic example of a star within the star system is Judy Garland.  Garland was signed to MGM back in 1935.  She had a specific list of character traits shared among most young female stars, representing a youthful and innocent image.  She is most known for her star role in The Wizard of Oz in 1938.  At age 16, MGM had already established her as a spirited musical talent.  The following is a clip from The Wizard of Oz, showcasing Garland's role in classic Hollywood.