A Star Is Born (1954)

Color / 176 mins

After a four-year absence from movies, Judy Garland makes her comeback in the style of a true diva in "A Star Is Born."

In 1950, Judy filmed her last film for MGM, "Summer Stock," and then she was released from her contract due to drug use and personal problems. However, happy times were soon ahead. She met B-rate movie producer Sid Luft, married him, and had a daughter (and later a son). The couple decided to try their hand at a film, "A Star Is Born," produced by Warner Brothers, that put Sid Luft on the A-list.

The film opens in the middle of a Hollywood gala, where Judy's character, Esther Blodgett, is in a singing group with two men that is opening for some of the big acts. The group is onstage singing "Gotta Have Me Go With You" when a hopelessly drunk film star, Norman Maine (James Mason) staggers onto the stage. Esther quickly smoothes over the situation by cleverly dancing with Norman, and after the show, he claims that she saved his life. She, like the rest of the world, considers him a lazy slacker and bids him a friendly goodnight.

Later that evening, she is singing in a club, where she performs the sensational number "The Man That Got Away." Norman just happens to be there, amazingly sober, and starts trying to convince her that she has just what it takes....that extra quality....to be a star. He pleads with her for most of the night to stay in the city and audition for his studio. Although she originally thinks the idea's stupid, she relents at the crack of dawn.

After several weeks, no success has been had for Esther Blodgett, and Norman is out of town filming a movie on location. Feeling duped, she does a series of low-paying commercials and struggles to survive. But finally, Norman returns and gets her an audition at his studio, where the makeup department gives her a ridiculous blond wig and practically clown makeup. She journeys to Norman's trailer, where he helps her wash it off and look natural. She aces the audition and is signed.

Esther returns to the studio the next day having been renamed "Vicki Lester," and all of the staff members seem very impersonal and shallow. However, it isn't long until her first picture is out, which contains a very impressive medley of songs, most notably Judy's version of "Swannee," which she was famous for singing throughout her life. Instantly a star, Esther has no trouble making friends, but irritatingly, Norman seems to want to have nothing to do with her.

Despite the fact that Norman is a severe alcoholic, Esther has fallen completely in love with him and tries to win him over. The two start officially dating. One day, Esther enters the studio to record a song for her latest picture, a lovely, emotional little number called "Here's What I'm Here For." While the orchestra is playing, she steals off to a cozy, darkened little stairwell with Norman. The conductor plays the song back, and unbeknownst to Esther and Norman, a hidden microphone had recorded their whole conversation. Norman is heard popping the question on the record....a very public proposal indeed, but very heartfelt!

Of course, Esther accepts, and the two are gleefully married. They share a tender duet, "It's a New World," on their honeymoon, and all looks happy for the time being. However, it isn't long before trouble comes; having grown tired of Norman's constant drunkenness, the studio fires him for holding up production (not much unlike Judy's personal trauma). Undeterred, Esther still makes money for the family; she is now a big star, and performs an amusing sequence called "Someone at Last" one night for Norman. Though the number is very long, Judy gives a thoroughly energetic performance.

Soon, Esther is nominated for an Academy Award. Predictably, her husband skips the ceremony, but when she wins, he shows up drunk. He makes his way up to the stage and totally embarrasses her by giving a little speech about how he needs a job. It isn't long before another mishap occurs and Norman ends up in jail. Esther pleas with the judge for his release, and he is granted it to stay under her care.

The end of this movie is very shocking, so I won't spoil it here.

Judy is just amazing in this movie. Her skillful artistry is very apparent, for it is clearly her show and displays all of her capabilities. She successfully breaks out of the mold that MGM cast her in of the wide-eyed, innocent young woman, which had not been working well in recent years, and became a real character. As Esther Blodgett, Judy shows all of her vulnerability, charm, wit, and sheer talent. Usually in movies, Judy's problems seemed silly and overdramatized; her trials in "A Star Is Born" were realistic and mature. The work as a whole is much deeper than anything else Judy starred in. She pulled the whole thing off with a grace and serenity that only a fantastic actress could have.

James Mason played a convincing Norman Maine, though he pales in comparison to Judy, and besides the two of them, there aren't really any other characters! "A Star Is Born" is basically a one-woman show starring a dynamite powerhouse.

Besides the actors, other things were great as well. The dialogue is interesting and fast-paced, and the lighting, scenery, and costumes add great flair.

In addition, the Warner Brothers two-sided DVD is loaded with special features, including a reconstruction that puts the film at nearly its original length. In 1983, film historian Ronald Haver found audio versions of the cut sequences and restored "A Star Is Born" to nearly its original length.

Twenty-two years after this movie was made, Barbra Streisand starred in a popular remake.

You would like this movie if: you are a Judy fan at all and want to see her in her element. This movie is also for all different types of fans. Even if you don't relish the forced merriment and sentimentality of her earlier movies, you'd still like this one because it feels much more modern and realistic. It's just a different kind of musical.

You might not want to watch it if: you hate long movies. It runs nearly three hours! It also might not be a good choice if you have bad eyes, because the widescreen version is tiny.

Rating: ****
Judy Score: ****