A Star Is Born (1954)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film: 154 Minutes (Restored Edition: 176 Minutes) (DVD: 169 Minutes)

Rated: Passed

Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance

Director: George Cukor

Starring: Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Tommy Noonan, Lucy Marlow

IMDB Rank: 7.6/10

Part 1 Time: N/A Minutes (Restored Edition: 84 Minutes) (DVD: N/A Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  N/A Minutes (Restored Edition: 92 Minutes) (DVD: N/A Minutes)

Where does the first part end? Vicki Lester (Judy Garland) sings during the filming for her upcoming Broadway movie.

Final line of dialogue on the first part:  “I was born in a trunk in the princess theater in Pocatello Idaho.” Vicki Lester sings as she finishes her scene for the upcoming Broadway musical film.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Where is Norman?” Vicki Lester asks as she leaves the cinema following her film premiere.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, we see the talent Vicki Lester has and will no doubt become a star in Hollywood. But as Vicki continues to grow in fame, her husband Norman Maine (James Mason) continues to plummet. How will Norman’s substance abuse problems impact Vicki in her career and life?

Which part is better? Both parts have memorable scenes and musical acts. In part one we are introduced to Ester Blodgett who later changes her name to Vicki Lester. She meets Norman Maine who helps in developing her Hollywood career. In part two, we continue to see Vicki Lester grow as a film star, but her now husband Norman continues to falter with substance abuse problems. Due to the content, musical pieces, and choices made by the protagonists part two is given the edge over part one.

Academy Awards: Best Actor (James Mason-Nominated), Best Actress (Judy Garland- Nominated), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration-Colour (Nominated), Best Costume Design-Colour (Nominated), Best Music- Original Song (“The Man that Got Away”-Nominated), Best Music- Scoring of a Musical Picture (Nominated).

National Film Registry: 2000