Comebacks

While the term "comeback" film is commonplace for cinephiles, the social and cultural significance of these films--specifically in relation to stardom and performance--remains misunderstood. In this collection, scholars aim to investigate the nature and consequences of the late-career revival projects of sixteen international film stars from 1957 to 2019, including renowned actors Joan Crawford, John Travolta, Bette Davis, Amitabh Bachchan, Sessue Hayakawa, Wesley Snipes, and Linda Hamilton. The contributors combine close textual analysis with the critical reception of aging star performances to unpack the unique circumstances of each actor's comeback trajectory. Through their work, we come to understand the consequences of aging and how post-peak stars navigate limited opportunities in a sexist, ageist film industry to deliver some of the most astounding performances of their careers.