Cast
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Judy Garland
as Vicki Lester
James Mason
as Norman Maine
Jack Carson
as Matt Libby
Charles Bickford
as Oliver Niles
Tommy Noonan
as Danny McGuire
Lucy Marlow
as Lola Lavery
Amanda Blake
as Susan Ettinger
Irving Bacon
as Graves
Hazel Shermet
as Libby's secretary
James Brown
as Glenn Williams
John Alban
as Academy Awards Attendee (uncredited)
Laurindo Almeida
as Guitarist (uncredited)
Leon Alton
as Usher (uncredited)
Rudolph Anders
as Mr. Ettinger (uncredited)
David Armstrong
as Soundman (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- George Cukor
Producer
- Sidney Luft
Reviews
CinemaSerf
One cannot watch this nowadays without seeing parallels between the James Mason role as "Norman Maine" and Judy Garland's own later life. He is the falling star of Hollywood kept afloat by booze and the ceaseless efforts of his studio boss "Oliver Niles" (Charles Bickford) to keep him from complete self-destruction. Meantime "Esther Blodgett" (Garland) is a struggling chanteuse taking any job she can until good fortune strikes. One night, serendipity takes a hand in this and their paths cross. He hears her sing "The Man That Got Away" with her band in a bar and is smitten both professionally and emotionally. As the title suggests, a star is well and truly born. Soon "Maine" is but an appendage to the newly renamed "Vicki Lester" which sees him spiral even more out of control, despite her addictive love for him. It's long (over 2½ hours) so inevitably, it sags at times - I could have done with more singing, but it is still a fine, touching, piece of cinema.
Mar 28, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, A Star Is Born examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director George Cukor brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1954, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of A Star Is Born took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $5.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 176 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 216 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The musical score contains over 38 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1954, when this film was released:
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While A Star Is Born shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Rivals, which focuses more on action than character development, A Star Is Born offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Duke and The Replacement explore similar territory, A Star Is Born stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 1, 1954
- Runtime: 2h 56m
- Budget: $5,019,770
- Revenue: $12,000,000
