Review of A Star Is Born (1954) by Tom K — 18 Jul 2007

It is Hollywood, sometime in the early 1950's.

Big-band girl singer Esther Blodgett (Judy Garland) is just one of many acts performing at a Night of 100 Stars-like charity banquet at the Shrine Auditorium, hosted by box-office superstar Norman Maine (James Mason).

Thing is, Mr. Maine is three sheets to the wind and making a spectacle of himself.

Somehow, the little nobody Esther gets the better of Mr. Maine when he tries to crab her act and incorporates his shenannigans into her set.

Thus begins George Cukor's A Star Is Born, one of the best dramatic masterpieces featuring music, ever.

Later, Norman Maine realizes that Esther has that wonderful quality that makes a star and does everything possible to make her one, even as he realizes that his own popularity is on the wane.

As much as I love Meet Me In St. Louis and The Wizard of Oz, A Star Is Born showcases Judy Garland at her best, dramatically and vocally. Of all the actors ever in Hollywood, she was the most natural in front of the cameras, and this film shows it.

And James Mason is no slouch, either; he is subtly brilliant as a star pissing away his talent, but fights to stay sober to make Esther a success.

Director Cukor's presentation with color, costumes, sets and moments are far, far more fulfilling than even his later musical film presentation, My Fair Lady.

When originally released, Warner Bros. butchered this film in an attempt to make it play in the theatres more times during the day. Thankfully, film historians located missing footage and soundtracks, and in some cases, used still photographs to supplement the original running time.

But I assure you, you won't mind; 50 years after its release, A Star Is Born still packs a wallop.

It goes without saying that if you're a film freak, this will automatically be in your collection.