Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Tommy Noonan

Sweeping melodrama about a young singer, discovered by a major male studio star, who becomes enamored of her and helps her rise to the top. She does, they get married, but his career begins to hit the...( read more  read more... ) skids as her's continues to rise. She then must carry him through his battle with alcoholism and abusive behavior.

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79% liked it

7,724 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

20 critics

PG, 2 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: George Cukor

Release Date: September 29, 1954

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DVD Release Date: May 1, 2001

Stats: 327 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (327)


  • January 4, 2010
    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 more)ou", "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.
  • October 13, 2009
    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.
  • August 7, 2009
    Ester Blodgett: "Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine."
  • July 8, 2008
    A Hollywood musical melodrama that criticizes the system but doesn't quite pull it off convincingly. It contrasts the fate of the rising star played by Garland with the fall of the man who brought her stardom, the charming alcoholic movie star played by Mason. The problem with ...( read more)it is that his fall is just as much due to his own failings as the evils of the studio system, and the actions he takes in the ending doesn't quite make sense. The musical numbers are lavish but generic for the most part except for a funny improvisational one between Garland and Mason. Also, some footage were lost and had to be replaced by stills with the sound La Jetee style, which doesn't help neither.
  • August 24, 2006
    JUDY! JUDY! JUDY!
  • November 10, 2009
    Too many pointless scenes showcasing Judy Garland singing and acting that were totally unrelated to the storyline of the film. Cut those out, and you have a great movie.
  • November 8, 2009
    Judy Garland rocks in this remake.
  • October 31, 2009
    It's this tiny difference like Kurosawa's Idiot which brings me to the point of applauding the boldness of this whimsical restoration,even without the missing bits and deleted scenes,Star is Born is placed amidst the unique triumphs of Cukor,"give me a reason to love you" as Port...( read more)ishead recently sang...(Mason is quite the charmer to be frank)
  • October 20, 2009
    This is the second movie in a line of 3 that's been made under the same name, I didn't see the rest of them, but after this will be a tought act to follow.
    This is a musical drama, the protagonist is Esther played by Judy Garland.
    The movie follows Esthers rise to fame and also...( read more) the fall of Norman Maine, it is a uncompromising look on show-bizz, theres nothing idealized about it, the succes doesn't happen over night, but after failed attempts, perseverance and hard work.
    Esther is the lead singer in a jazz band, her great voice succeds to catch the eye of Norman Maine, who decides to give her a hand.
    I'm not really into musicals, but this one is one of the best, not only as a musical. Most of the musicals are glitter, fluff, shiny colors and happy people, a bit simplistic view on life in general.
    But "A star is born" is different in terms of story, atmosphere and characters.
    At almost 3 h long, takes time to creat the perfect mood, the movie could've been even longer if not for the photo-montages , which I found very ingenous.
    Judy Garland is impressive, she puts her heart and soul for the viewers, I think she was born to play Esther or rather she didn't even have to perform because in a way she identifed with the character. I also think it's her best performance ever.
    James Mason is perfect as Norman Maine, a flawless performance also.
    The only problem I had with this movie was the chemistry between the 2 leads, or the lack of it.
    The song " The man that got a way" gives me chills every time I listen to it, Garland had one of the best voices out there.
  • August 24, 2009
    Garland deserved the Oscar.

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Comments


  • AJReuRox
    June 19, 2008
    Judy was robbed of an Oscar for this movie! Forget the munchkin award it was time for the real deal! Grace Kelly is far from the same level of talent as Judy!
  • lippyinc
    April 11, 2008
    This movie is very, very good. Judy Garland is the perfect person to play Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester. James Mason is also cast right as Norman Maine. This movie is one of my favorites and took my breath away when I saw it. Three cheers to Judy Garland and James Mason.

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A Star Is Born Trivia


  • ***"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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