The six-part video essay Razzle Dazzle looks at how movies have examined the many facets of fame (heroism, infamy, and everything in between) and how they have shaped the audience’s perception of what fame offers. In part three, we examine the Hero’s doppelganger, the Fraud, as portrayed in Quiz Show, Broadcast News, Meet John Doe, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Hail the Conquering Hero, and other Hollywood features. Marrying screwball comedy and social satire, the fraud movie shows how institutions and corporations manufacture false idols, satisfying the audience’s desire for role models while furthering their own agendas. See the essay in its original context in its original context here.
This article was originally published on The House Next Door.
