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Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Tommy Noonan ... see more see more... , Lucy Marlow , Amanda Blake , Irving Bacon , Hazel Shermet , James Brown , Lotus Robb , Rudolph Anders , Phil Arnold , Nadene Ashdown , Willis B. Bouchey , Kathryn Card , Chick Chandler , Tristram Coffin , Samuel Colt , Rex Evans , Frank Ferguson , Bess Flowers , Wilton Graff , Charles Halton , Percy Helton , Louis Jean Heydt , Stuart Holmes , Olin Howard , Henry Kulky , Mae Marsh , Strother Martin , Joseph Mell , Pat O'Malley , Leonard Penn , Frank Puglia , Grandon Rhodes , Joan Shawlee , Grady Sutton , Dub Taylor , Emerson Treacy , Charles Watts , Richard Webb , Eric Wilton , John Saxon , Laurindo Almeida , Jack Harmon , James Brown (II)

The 1954 musical remake of A Star is Born could have been titled A Star is Reborn, in that it represented the triumphal return to the screen of Judy Garland after a four-year absence. The remake adher... read more read more...es closely to the plotline of the 1937 original: An alcoholic film star, on his last professional legs, gives a career boost to a unknown aspiring actress. The two marry, whereupon her fame and fortune rises while his spirals sharply downward. Unable to accept this, the male star crawls deeper into the bottle. The wife tearfully decides to give up her own career to care for her husband. To spare her this fate, the husband chivalrously commits suicide. His wife is inconsolable at first, but is urged to go "on with the show" in memory of her late husband. In the original, Janet Gaynor played Esther Blodgett, who with no training or contacts came to Hollywood hoping for stardom. The remake, scripted by Moss Hart, is a shade more realistic: Garland's Esther, though far removed from fame, is a working professional singer/dancer when first we meet her. Both Gaynor and Garland are transformed from "Esther Blodgett" to "Vicki Lester" after being screen-tested, though Gaynor goes on to star in fluffy costume dramas while Garland more logically headlines big-budget musicals. The 1937 Star is Born costarred Fredric March as Norman Maine, Esther/Vicki's sponsor-cum-spouse. March patterned his performance after the tragic John Barrymore, reining in his emotions in favor of pure technique; James Mason's interpretation is more original, more emotional, and far more effective (who can forget the scene where Norman sobbingly overhears Vicki planning to give up her career for his sake?) As the studio's long-suffering publicist, the 1937 version's Lionel Stander is more abrasive and unpleasant than the 1954 version's introspective, intellectual Jack Carson; on the other hand, Adolphe Menjou and Charles Bickford are fairly evenly matched in the role of the studio head. Several important omissions are made in the remake. The 1937 Star is Born included Esther's indomitable old grandma (May Robson), a helpful assistant director (Andy Devine) and a soft-hearted landlord (Edgar Kennedy); all three characters are missing from the 1954 version, though elements of each can be found in the "best friend/severest critic" character played by Tommy Noonan. Wisely, both versions end with the grieving Vicki Lester coming out of her shell at a public gathering, greeting the audience with a proud, defiant "Good evening, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine". Though directors William Wellman (1937 version) and George Cukor (1954 version) handle this finale in their own distinctive manners, the end result is equally effective emotionally. What truly sets the 1954 A Star is Born apart from other films of its ilk is its magnificent musical score by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin. The songs include The Man Who Got Away (brilliantly performed by Garland in one long take, sans dubbing), It's a New World, Somewhere There's a Someone, I Was Born in a Trunk, Lose That Long Face and Gotta Have Me Go With You. When originally previewed in 1954, the film ran well over three hours, thanks to the lengthy-and thoroughly disposable-Born in a Trunk number, added to the film as an afterthought without the approval or participation of director George Cukor. The Warner Bros. executives trimmed the film to 154 minutes, eliminating three top-rank musical numbers and several crucial expository sequences (including Norman's proposal to Vicki). At the instigation of the late film historian Ronald Haver, the full version was painstakingly restored in 1983, with outtakes and still photos bridging the "lost" footage. Though nominated in several categories, A Star is Born was left empty-handed at Academy Award time, an oversight that caused outrage then and still rankles Judy Garland fans to this day (Footnote: Judy Garland had previously played Vicki Lester in a 1942 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the original A Star is Born). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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PG, 2 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: George Cukor

Release Date: September 29, 1954

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DVD Release Date: May 1, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (409)

  • MissMorganLeee
    January 8, 2011
    MissMorganLeee
    Altough slow at times, a Perfect movie. How Judy Garland could have lost this oscar is unbelievable. One of the best performances of all time!
  • ajv2688
    November 9, 2010
    ajv2688
    Garland was already a star, I wouldn't have chose her to star in this remake. I want to see the original movie eventually.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    August 30, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    Wow, I was expecting more... About an hour in I was bored and confused. it wasn't until I read turfseer's review was some of my confusion explained. About the production stills and lost footage, etc and it's one of those things where I understand that they couldn't have done anyt... read morehing about it, but yikes does it really rake on the flow of storytelling.
    Anyway, if you're looking for a flashy stage musical, this isn't it. But if you do want to hear powerful, belting Judy Garland songs, this is your film! And it does sound bolder than Wizard of Oz (LOVE it, and the only other Garland I'd seen before this). 'Somewhere There's a Someone' was the most amusing and cute number, while Garland's breakdown in the dressing room and then having to pull it together for another take was really powerful and shows how actors have to do it. Respect.
    Now as for story, the focus seemed to vacillate between Blodgett and Maine. Who was the story really about? I liked the last hour, but it could have been severely edited. Almost 3 hours?! Sheesh. I dunno, I expected more and it could have been better. A lot better.
  • bottcorecords1
    June 24, 2010
    bottcorecords1
    Gay icon Judy Garland brings her considerable vocal talent to A Star is Born. a story of the rise and fall of actors in the cold, cruel world of Hollywood. The film itself is rather like the actor's rise and fall: it starts off full of wide-eyed optimism and ends on a cynical, e... read morembittered note. Garland plays Esther Blodgett, a young singer whose emotive vocal style strikes the fancy of Norman Maine (James Mason), a successful movie star who, despite his alcohol-fueled offstage shenanigans, is well-connected in Hollywood and offers to give Esther her big break. There are all-too-real scenes of struggle as Esther must either quit her position in an act she's worked so hard to estabilish or miss her opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream. It's a gamble that pays off, and soon Esther (now known as Vicki Lester) begins a meteoric rise to fame (and Norman a sad descent into defeat). Obviously, one of the focal points of this film is Judy Garland's talent as a singer, and a few of the numbers in this film showcase that talent in a way not many of her other films have. James Mason is, as always, excellent, and Jack Carson also gives a great performance in his supporting role (as Norman Maine's studio P.R. man). Show business is a brutal industry, and the casualties are many, including Judy Garland herself. A Star is Born doesn't sugarcoat the price of success in this field of vanity and self-promotion. Norman forces Esther to look at herself and her talent, and to take what she deserves from the world. It's not a world or career for the meek and humble. By the way, I saw the "restored" version of this film on TCM, and I have to say the restoration does not impress me. Apparently the original film has been destroyed, but the soundtrack remains, so we have scenes where the actors are reciting their lines as still photos are flashed on the screen. This may restore the narrative, but it jars one out of the cinematic experience. I can only recommend the restored version for the diehard fans who've already seen it.
  • hobster1
    January 4, 2010
    hobster1
    Landmark musical remake of the 1937 original about two star-crossed lovers in show business. Her fame is rising, his is starting to fade and their career trajectories form the plot of this film. Rarely has a musical featured such happily upbeat numbers ("Gotta Have Me Go With Y... read moreou", "Lose That Long Face") and simultaneously presented a storyline that is so profoundly sad. One quibble: extended "Born in A Trunk" number is dispensable and drags on the film's excessive 176-minute length. Otherwise Judy Garland and James Mason are spectacular in their respective Oscar nominated roles. The film may have surprisingly gone home empty handed on Oscar night, but time has proven this to be one of the greatest musicals ever filmed.
  • sanjurosamurai
    October 13, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    although the technical elements and direction were superb, and the story was ambitious, this film is overlong and far too bipolar. the first half is actually quite good, but the second half loses focus and takes its eyes off of the supposed star of the picture. the film becomes... read more far too dramatic to fit its own tone, and it spins into depression almost without warning. certainly an important film and one of the more well received, but its charm was lost on me.
  • smith44
    August 7, 2009
    smith44
    Ester Blodgett: "Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine."
  • jennifxu
    August 6, 2007
    jennifxu
    Magnificent if you can get past the first hour and you stop expecting them to burst out in song every 5 minutes. This isn't one of those classic MGM musicals per se, as in, nobody does any singing but Judy Garland and she only does it when she's supposed to. The first hour was ex... read moretremely boring (excluding two showstopping songs), the second was magical, and the third sublime. Best songs I have ever heard anybody belt out in a while. Even though Judy Garland was supposedly declining from drug use her singing pipes certainly hadn't.
  • jjnxn
    June 20, 2007
    jjnxn
    judy at her peak
  • dreamfaeries
    August 24, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    JUDY! JUDY! JUDY!

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
April 4, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

George Cukor's musical drama, the second version of Star Is Born, is his masterpiece, an emotionally touching tale in which Judy Garland renders her most impressive performance as dramatic actress. Full Review

Ryan Cracknell
August 1, 2010
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views

The film remains timely for the themes of fame and success it explores with such great scope and emotion Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
June 25, 2010
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

[The] musical numbers are impressive, but I was far more amazed by some of the simpler moments... Full Review

Mike McGranaghan
June 21, 2010
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

A Star is Born totally lives up to its reputation. The performances are great, and the story is the sort that completely sucks you in. Full Review

John J. Puccio
June 17, 2010
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

I can't say the songs add much to the story line, but they are entertaining taken on their own. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
November 1, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Judy Garland, for all her personal problems, shows on the screen why she's a star. Full Review

Michael E. Grost
August 8, 2008
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

Visually brilliant. Full Review

Michael A. Smith
November 11, 2004
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review

A classic! Garland at her best ever. Make sure you see the restored version.

Ed Gonzalez
May 9, 2004
Ed Gonzalez, Apollo Guide

It is, at the very least, a successful showstopper of a musical (even if some of the musical numbers are pretty generic). At the very most, it is a commendable condemnation of the humiliating effects ... Full Review

Ken Hanke
March 1, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Overrated and overlong remake of the superior 1937 version.

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  • ***"Up Close and Personal" is similar to what older movie***  Answer »
  • For which movie did Judy Garland miss out on a Best Actress Academy Award, which was won by Grace Kelly?  Answer »
  • A tornado struck Kansas the day she died. And has starred in films such as A star is born and I could Go On Singing.  Answer »
  • Judy Garland was considered to be a "slam dunk" to win the Oscar for A Star Is Born. She was in her hospital room at the time of the awards ceremony and saw the Oscar go to:  Answer »
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