Rating: 
Summary: A Great Classic Restored On DVD
Review: Many films have a convoluted history, but few so much as A STAR IS BORN. The basic story of a famous Hollywood alcoholic who promotes the career of an unknown--only to see her star rise as his falls--was based on the lives of a number of silent-era figures and first filmed in 1932 as WHAT PRICE HOLLYWOOD? After a number of plot changes, the story reemerged in 1937 as A STAR IS BORN starring Janet Gaynor and Frederic March. Then, in the 1940s, A STAR IS BORN was recycled into a radio play--and the leading lady was Judy Garland.Garland's private life was difficult, and in 1950 she made a highly publicized suicide attempt. When she proved unable to recover herself quickly, she was fired by MGM amid much negative publicity, and it was assumed her career was over. But within a few years Garland reemerged as a powerful concert performer, and momentum began to build toward a screen comeback. Garland, who recalled her radio presentation with fondness, suggested A STAR IS BORN. The production was plagued with problems. A number of leading actors turned down the male lead before James Mason accepted. A considerable portion of the film was shot when Warner Brothers decided to present it in Cinemascope, and this entailed scrapping all previous footage reshooting from scratch. Garland herself proved typically highstrung, and her temperament led to numerous delays. The budget ran out of control, and by the time A STAR IS BORN arrived on the screen it had become the single most expensive film made up to that time. The film's opening seemed to justify all the difficulty and expense. Critics were positive and the public was eager. But Warner Brothers remained concerned about the film's length--and although director George Cukor offered to recut the film gratis, the studio hacked it apart. It was soon apparent that critics and audiences alike were considerably less enthusiastic about the edited version, and the film ended its theatrical release with a whimper. During the decades that followed the film gained a reputation as a mutilated masterpiece. A lackluster 1970s remake fueled interest in a restoration, but the missing footage could not be relocated. In 1983, however, the full, unedited soundtrack and many of the missing scenes were rediscovered. In working with the film, conservators pioneered the use of still photography to fill in the still-missing scenes, a technique that would be used to restore such classics as GREED, METROPOLIS, and LOST HORIZON. And upon release, A STAR IS BORN was once again hailed as a masterpiece. Stylistically, A STAR IS BORN is an aggressive film filled with bright colors, bombastic music, and larger than life performances. As such, it seems typical of "blockbuster" films of the 1950s and 1960s. But A STAR IS BORN uses this "bigness" to a considerably different end than its counterparts: rather than containing garish display for its own sake, it contains it for thematic purpose. The theme developed by writer Moss Hart and director Cukor (who considered this his masterpiece) is one of the various levels of artificiality intrinsic to show business, and differences between degrees of artificiality are carefully drawn in scene after scene. The audience enjoys a show--never knowing that the star is blind drunk. The set crew prepares to film an upbeat musical number--never aware that the leading lady is having hysterics in her dressing room. Guests join their hostess in watching a movie--never knowing that their host is being quietly fired in an adjoining room. The performances that drive A STAR IS BORN are perfectly in line with the film's juxtaposition of reality and artifice. Garland offers a justly famous bravado performance in broad strokes and with an undercurrent of artifice that becomes increasingly noticeable as the film builds, underscoring her gradual immersion in and consumption by the film industry. Mason, in equally brilliant fashion, contrasts her with a performance that becomes painfully realistic as the film progresses. The dissonance created is quite startling: it is easy to see why the two characters attract each other, but it is also easy to forecast how they will self-destruct. Although musical numbers abound, A STAR IS BORN is not typical of the genre, for the music does not form the primary structure of the film. Still, like most other elements in the film, the songs feed into the film's themes--and always in the most ironic way possible. Near the film's conclusion, Maine ask Vicki to sing for him while he, unbeknownst to her, prepares for suicide. The song she sings is "A New World." And indeed after Maine's death it will be all of that, a world in which unreality will go unchecked and Vicki will win applause by introducing herself as "Mrs. Norman Maine," turning her private grief into box office salvation. A STAR IS BORN is profoundly bitter film that for all its brashness operates in a remarkably subtle way to make a very dark statement about Hollywood fame: the entertainment we enjoy on screen is an illusion with a price, and that price is a confusion of reality and fantasy played out with stakes of life and death. The DVD offers the film in its restored state, in Cinemascope, and with television broadcast footage of the Los Angeles premiere. If you're serious about film, this is a must-own, must-see. --GFT (Amazon.com Reviewer)--
Rating:
Summary: ...and a word about James Mason
Review: Everyone watches and adores this film because Judy Garland is so magnificent in it. It's her comeback film and rarely has she been so riveting. But I'd like to concentrate on an aspect of the movie that is curiously (tragically) overlooked: the understated and beautiful performance by James Mason. Mason's portrayal of the tortured, alcoholic Norman Maine is a performance of depth and grace. Mason was a brilliant, quiet actor who infused Maine with a sardonic sense of humor and a haunting sort of pathos. While this is Garland's picture from beginning to end, I will always argue that it's Mason's character who is central to the movie and that Mason was pivotal in getting Garland's performance to resonate. Most Garland biographers say that Judy was in love with Mason and that the two had an affair. One senses their chemistry and Judy's almost desperate willingness to please the handsome British star. Their interplay together is touching and holds up wonderfully well after half a century. I contrast the Garland-Mason chemistry to the non-existent interaction between Gaynor-March and the dismal Streisand-Kristoferson remake in 1976. Appreciate also the supporting performances by Charles Bickford and Jack Carson, two characters too-often overlooked. One of my favorite scenes is when Bickford visits Mason in the aftermath of his arrest for DUI, and offers him a script with a supporting role. The proud character of Norman Maine refuses the role and lies by saying another studio is interested in him. Bickford knows this is balderdash, but is so gentle and insistent that he at least try his hand once more at acting. So watch this marvelous film and enjoy the incomparable talent of Judy Garland, but save a thought and glance for the gorgeous gentleman who played Norman Maine. What an actor he was.
Rating: 
Summary: Star Shines Once Again
Review: "A Star Is Born" was Judy Garland's comeback film after nearly a four year hiatus from the screen. Judy is Esther Bloggett, a singer turned movie star who's rising fame coincides with her husband's (James Mason)meteoric down-swing. When the film premiered it was hailed as a critical and artistic masterpiece. Unfortunately Warner boss, Jack L. Warner, thought the film ran too long to get his money's worth out of only two showings per night. So he set to work chopping whole sequences out and the result was a truncated version that infuriated director George Cukor and cost Judy Garland her Oscar for Best Actress. In the eighties, film historian Ron Haver set out to restore this movie, only to discover that most of the missing footage remains missing to this day. However, he did uncover two gems, Judy's "Lose That Long Face" and the rehearsal/proposal scene as well as a few outtakes that helped him string together a restoration of sorts using still images to link up the story. It is this version of the film that Warner has released on DVD and I must say that I'm not sure how to take this re-issue. Yes, the transfer is as pristine and glorious as Warner Brothers can make it. Colors are bold and beautiful. But the portions of film that are missing jar the viewer from fully appreciating the film's performances, particularly in the first half of the movie where nearly 30 minutes of film stock remains lost, with only an audio track to sustain the first time viewer. To be sure, "Star" has never looked or sounded better and it is a blessing to have Judy and James Mason back on the screen in an anamorphic widescreen transfer. One merely wishes that the missing footage, in whatever condition, would turn up after all these years, allowing "Star" to be whole once again. As a film historian my recommendation is that you buy this disc. As pure entertainment, you may want to reconsider.
Rating:
Summary: Judy's Best!
Review: If half of this film hadn't been left on the editing room floor in 1954, it would have been recognized for the last 50 years for what it was (and is): one of the greatest movies of all time! (As a sidenote, I loath Babs for, among other things, making her own version of "A Star is Born". Her vain overacting stands in stark contrast to Judy Garland's genuine and inspired performance.)
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Judy Garland Film Ever Made In Her Adult Life.
Review: This is the best and greatest movie Judy Garland has ever made in her adult life. This is the newly restored version and to this viewer it appears that two lost scenes have been found and replaced from those photo stills we have seen in prior restored prints. The new scenes have been included within the film. On this one disc, Side A is the Widescreen version, the other side, Side B, are the Special Features. In the Special Features section/ Backstage, you will find three major outtakes of Judy Garland singing "The Man That Got Away". This is a gem because you will get to hear Judy sing this wonderful song three different times as only Judy can sing it. Another outtake is from the "Born In A Trunk" segment. Documentary footage includes the Hollywood Premiere Newsreel, Pantages Premiere TV Special (ATTN: Lucy & Desi fans), and the Cocoanut Grove Premiere Party. Also included is the 1954 Warner Brothers Exhibitors Reel and a couple of audio outtakes. When I watch this film in DVD I prefer to watch the musical numbers in Widescreen and for the dramatic story , I watch it in Zoom 2X. What I personally appreciate in this film is there is a scene where Judy Garland enters a building titled "Hotel Lancaster". I just wonder how that came to be and who was nice enough to call that set "Hotel Lancaster"? You see, Judy Garland was once known as Frances Gumm when she lived in Lancaster, California, I believe before she did the Andy Hardy movies and The Wizard Of Oz. She later moved to Los Angeles to be closer to her work. This remake version of A Star Is Born was tailor-made for Judy Garland and is the decided and widely-accepted version of A Star Is Born. Nothing else compares. Judy Garland was nominated for Outstanding Actress, but she did not win the Academy Award. She should have. On September 4, 2003, will be the 50th Annniversary since Judy Garland pre-recorded the song "The Man That Got Away" for A Star Is Born (1954). Septmenber 29, 2004, is the 50th Anniversary of "A Star Is Born" (1954).
Rating:
Summary: JUDY! JUDY! JUDY!
Review: JUDY GARLANDS MOST MAGNIFICENT WORK! THIS IS A LABOR OF LOVE. JUDY WAS A GREAT ARTIST AT THE PINNACLE OF HER MOVIE CAREER.THIS MOVIE WAS ACTUALLY A COLLABORATION OF GREAT ARTISTS COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE A MASTERPIECE OF MOTION PICTURE GENIUS. JUDY, JAMES MASON,ALL THE SUPPORTING ACTORS, THE BRILLIANT SCORE INCLUDING THE HAUNTING "MAN THAT GOT AWAY", GEORGE CUKOR WHO WAS ADAPTING TO A WHOLE NEW WAY OF FILMING(CINEMASCOPE, I THINK THEY CALLED IT?),THE WRITERS, WARDROBE, ETC., ALL CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE A RICH AND COMPLEX MOVIE OF SUCH WIT, TENDERNESS, TRAGICALLY HEARTWRENCHING WISTFULLNESS, THAT IT SHOULD NEVER BE REMADE AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS NOT THE MOVIE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED,(THE TRUE ORIGINAL WAS SADLY BUTCHERED BY THE ELDEST WARNER BROTHER, AND ACCORDING TO GEORGE CUKOR," MARVELOUS, MARVELOUS, SCENES WERE CHOPPED OUT" AND HASTILY BURNED UP FOR THEIR SILVER CONTENT.), IT HAS BEEN RESTORED,TO A SEMBLANCE OF ITS ORIGINAL FORM. AND IT TRIUMPHS. THIS MOVIE BOOKENDS(FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ), THE CAREER OF HOLLYWOODS GREATEST MUSICAL STAR. YES, EVERYONE KNOWS SHE SHOULD OF WON THE OSCAR THAT YEAR. EVEN GRACE KELLYS FATHER FELT THAT TWO SHOULD HAVE GIVEN OUT(ONE TO MISS GARLAND). BUT HOLLYWOOD IS FICKLE AND OFTEN CRUEL. NUFF SAID. DEFINATELY GET THIS ONE, BUT IF YOUR THE HE-MAN TYPE, OR EMBARRASSED BY YOUR TEARS, WATCH THIS ONE ALONE WITH A DOZEN HANKIES. AW HECK, A GOOD CRY NEVER HURT NO ONE.
Rating:
Summary: Despite WB's Attempt to Slice It Up, A Star is Re-Born
Review: Ironically, I recently attended a taping of a popular new TV show at Studio 4 on the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank where a plaque commemorates the fact that the 1954 classic, A STAR IS BORN, was filmed there nearly 50 years ago. We are all indebted to film historians who have reconstructed lost portions of this brilliant masterpiece and inserted recently discovered scenes deleted from the film. Apparently, Jack Warner insisted on cutting a half hour from the picture so that the film could run more often and do better box office. Director George Cukor went on record saying, "It was edited brutally, stupidly and arbitrarily, and many of Garland's finest moments were taken out." When I was a student, I met George Cukor, and he continued to lament about the disjointed, truncated version of the film. Now we can celebrate this DVD's release which presents the Garland/Mason A STAR IS BORN now much closer to its original first cut, complete with hilarious original scenes like James Mason's marriage proposal during playback of "Here's What I'm Here For," as Judy croons, "You drink to muuuuch!"
Rating:
Summary: One of the great musical dramas of all time
Review: There is no question that "A Star is Born" remains the best Judy Garland performance. The actress's tumultuous real life took a backseat as Miss Garland jumped headlong with a performance that should have garnered her the "Best Actress" Oscar. Unfortunately, she lost to Grace Kelly for "The Country Girl". The fact that "Star" has stood the test of time, while "Girl" appears to be an obscure memory, shows the strength of the Garland vehicle. Much praise should be heaped upon Judy's male co-stars. James Mason is memorable as Garland's tragic movie star husband. His work in the film was also worthy of Oscar recognition. Jack Carson, one of the movie's best character actors, is also quite good as the agent that knows all about the ups and downs of the movie business. Charles Bickford, as the studio head, balances the professional-in-charge with the father figure in his guidance of Garland and subsequent firing of Mason. The musical numbers feature Garland at her best. Hers is, without a doubt, a voice heard only once in a lifetime.
Rating: 
Summary: Why watch this when you can watch the '37 version?
Review: I generally dislike remakes and this was no exception. I felt that any seriousness the story had was scattered abroad like dandelion fuzz at the hand of the continual musical breeze. I would not care to ever watch this again. My two stars go entirely to James Mason, who did a very good job here in amongst the melodious maelstrom. I though the scene when he proposed to Esther was quite clever, and probably the only thing really memorable about this poor excuse of a remake. Judy Garland was simply too old for the part and lacked the fresh youthful enthusiasm of Janet Gaynor in the '37 version, which you should see by all means rather than this one, because it is far superior in all ways.
Rating:
Summary: "Hello Everyone- This is my Review"
Review: A Star is Born- Perhaps one of Judy Garland's best performances? I think so! But this movie wasn't just a Judy Triumph, it was a complete success. The casting was ideal, James Mason had me mezmorized with his captivating performance as the drunken falling star, Norman Maine. "A Star is Born" is the story of a drunken actor (Mason) who falls in love with a sweet young singer/actress (Garland). They marry and he decides to make her a star, with out realizing his star was fading. As she rises, he falls, and this puts strain on them. Time goes by and we witness their lives, from Little Bar to the Oscars. This is a remake of the film, "A Star is Born" and "What Price Hollywood?", also directed by Cukor. I've heard some people say that the First "A Star is Born" was the best, but I must disagree! The First one was good, but it went to quickly and it didn't catch you right away. And sometimes I didn't believe the actors in that one, but I'm not criting that movie, am I? Another issue attatched to this film is the fact Judy didn't not receive an Oscar for it. Most people (Yes, most people) believe she should have won the Oscar. But sadly, she lost to Grace for "The Country Girl" I feel that Grace's performance was not as good as Judy's... That year was actually a very tough year to vote. But I think if anyone got the oscar, it shouldn't have been Grace. Anyway, all in all, this movie in wonderful and I totally recomend it for anyone!
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