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A Star Is Born (1954)

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The 1954 musical remake of A Star is Born could have been titled A Star is Reborn, in that it represented the triumphal return to the screen of Judy Garland after a four-year absence. The remake adheres closely to the plotline of the 1937 original: An alcoholic film star, on his last professional legs, gives a career boost to a unknown aspiring actress. The two marry, whereupon her fame and fortune rises while his spirals sharply downward. Unable to accept this, the male star crawls deeper into

May 1, 2001

Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

All Critics (28) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (0) | DVD (11)

Award-winning musical tragedy with alcoholism at its core.

June 21, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

George Cukor's musical drama, the second version of Star Is Born, is his masterpiece, an emotionally touching tale in which Judy Garland renders her most impressive performance as dramatic actress.

April 4, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

The film remains timely for the themes of fame and success it explores with such great scope and emotion

August 1, 2010 Full Review Source: Movie Views | Comment

Reassembled and augmented to the nth degree, these discs are nirvana for Friends of Judy.

July 11, 2010 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

This glitzy, glossy show-biz soap never quite bests the heartbreaking original with Janet Gaymor and Fredric March, but the grand production has moments of brilliance.

June 27, 2010 Full Review Source: MSN.com | Comment
MSN.com

[The] musical numbers are impressive, but I was far more amazed by some of the simpler moments...

June 25, 2010 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

A Star is Born totally lives up to its reputation. The performances are great, and the story is the sort that completely sucks you in.

June 21, 2010 Full Review Source: Aisle Seat | Comment
Aisle Seat

At the risk of incurring the eternal wrath of Garland lovers everywhere, it's a good film, but maybe not a great one. (Blu-ray Book Edition)

June 17, 2010 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

I can't say the songs add much to the story line, but they are entertaining taken on their own.

June 17, 2010 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Judy Garland, for all her personal problems, shows on the screen why she's a star.

November 1, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Visually brilliant.

August 8, 2008 Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television | Comment
Classic Film and Television

A classic! Garland at her best ever. Make sure you see the restored version.

November 11, 2004 Comment

It is, at the very least, a successful showstopper of a musical (even if some of the musical numbers are pretty generic). At the very most, it is a commendable condemnation of the humiliating effects of Hollywood on some of the stars it creates.

May 9, 2004 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Apollo Guide
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for A Star Is Born

Altough slow at times, a Perfect movie. How Judy Garland could have lost this oscar is unbelievable. One of the best performances of all time!

January 8, 2011
MissMorganLeee
Morgan Salem

Super Reviewer

Garland was already a star, I wouldn't have chose her to star in this remake. I want to see the original movie eventually.

September 5, 2010
ajv2688

Super Reviewer

    1. Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester: Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine.
    – Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)

Latest News for A Star Is Born

August 29, 2011:
Clint Eastwood's A Star Is Born Remake Needs New Leads
Beyoncé's pregnancy seems likely to keep her from starring, and Leonardo DiCaprio has passed.

January 20, 2011:
Clint Eastwood to Direct Beyonce in A Star Is Born
In news that made us double check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1 already, Clint...

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Foreign Titles

  • A Star Is Born (1954) (DE)
  • A Star Is Born (1954) (UK)
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