Lana Turner, New Hair-Do

In 1940s America, the fascination exerted by the Hollywood stars also helped to keep the economy moving. Lana Turner (1921-1995), the embodiment of Hollywood glamour, is a perfect example, as shown by this filmed news clip diffused on 21 May 1942, which promotes her new hairstyle: American women are invited to imitate her.

The construction of the "Lana Turner" myth started in 1937. A secondary role in They Won't Forget (Mervyn LeRoy), where the still brunette actress appears in a figure-hugging woollen pullover, was enough for the sweater girl (1) myth to come to life. The impact was decisive for her career, but also for the pullover industry, whose sales exploded. MGM soon realised that its new recruit had what it took to replace Jean Harlow (2), a star who had died prematurely. Its experts carried out hairstyling and colouring trials on her. Although she sometimes appeared as a brunette, she remained "the blonde" of the company for almost 20 years – and one of its most profitable actresses – before filming for other studios and for television until 1985. Her image was used for numerous cosmetics and sweets ads, contributing to create the "Lanallure" (3). In 1946, she launched a new fashion, dressed in white shorts in The Postman Always Rings Twice (Tay Garnett).

The private life of Lana Turner, a pure Hollywood product, was the subject of excessive publicity: married eight times (twice to the actor Stephen Crane), not to mention numerous presumed affairs, until her dramatic liaison with Johnny Stompanato, a violent gangster who was stabbed by the actress's daughter in 1958.