Introduction : stardom in the 1940s / Sean Griffin -- Abbott and Costello: Wwo's on first / David Sedman -- Gene Autry and Roy Rogers: the light of western stars / Ed Buscombe -- Ingrid Bergman: the face of authenticity in the land of illusion / Robin Blaetz -- Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall: tough guy and cool dame / Rick Worland -- Claudette Colbert, Ginger Rogers, and Barbara Stanwyck: American homefront women / David M. Lugowski -- Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney: babes and beyond / Sean Griffin -- Greer Garson: gallant ladies and British wartime femininity / Hannah Hamad -- Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth: pinned up / Adrienne L. McLean -- Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn: domesticated mavericks / Charlie Kiel -- John Wayne: hero, leading man, innocent, and troubled figure / Edward Countryman -- In the wings / Sean Griffin.