7.1
A Star Is Born
1954
Is the price of stardom a broken heart?
Esther Blodgett is just another starry-eyed farm kid trying to break into the movies. Waitressing at a Hollywood party, she catches the eye of her idol Norman Maine, is sent for a screen test, and before long attains stardom as newly minted Vicki Lester. She and Norman marry, though his career soon dwindles to nothing due to his chronic alcoholism.
Esther Blodgett is just another starry-eyed farm kid trying to break into the movies. Waitressing at a Hollywood party, she catches the eye of her idol Norman Maine, is sent for a screen test, and before long attains stardom as newly minted Vicki Lester. She and Norman marry, though his career soon dwindles to nothing due to his chronic alcoholism.
Janet GaynorEsther Blodgett
Fredric MarchNorman Maine
Adolphe MenjouOliver Niles
May RobsonLettie Blodgett
Andy DevineDanny McGuire
Lionel StanderMatt Libby
Owen MooreCasey Burke
Peggy WoodMiss Phillips
Elizabeth JennsAnita Regis
Edgar KennedyPop Randall
J. C. NugentMr. Blodgett
Guinn 'Big Boy' WilliamsPosture Coach
Irving BaconStation Agent (uncredited)
Jane BarnesWaitress #1 (uncredited)
Clara BlandickAunt Mattie (uncredited)
Wade BotelerSanta Anita Cop (uncredited)
Sidney BraceyBurke's Butler (uncredited)
Harry C. BradleyNiles' Assistant (uncredited)
George ChandlerDeliveryman (uncredited)
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Janet Gaynor was at the top of her game with the almost Dickens' inspired name "Esther Blodgett" - an aspiring actress who moves to Hollywood and happens upon a drunken, self-destructive "Norman Maine" (Fredric March) as she waitresses at a party. His star is definitely on the wain, but he sees something in her and before long she is topping the bill. No singing in this version, which I think makes it a grittier adaptation of the story. Oddly enough, I find that the colour is quite distracting - it would have looked much better in black and white. That said, the dialogue is sharp and the pace likewise and it's an enjoyable watch.
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