A Star is Born

Judy Garland plays nightclub crooner Vicki Lester (née Esther Blodgett), whose marriage to once leading man, now alcoholic has-been Norman Maine (James Mason) threatens to derail her express trip to Tinseltown's top. But talent will out, or at least ambition will, and Esther manages to continue her upward arc by skirting Norman's freefall. A Star is Born was shortened considerably after its 1954 premiere, but Warner has almost completely restored the film to its original length with a beautiful new print, though I question whether it was worth their best efforts. Personally, I find the film a mediocre tuner with a soaper-level plot and a surprisingly (considering it's by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin) forgettable score, earning it a recommendation based purely on the film's popularity and historical significance. DVD extras include premiere gala footage (featuring a cavalcade of attending stars) and an extra song. (S. C. Sickles)[Blu-ray Review—June 22, 2010—Warner, 2 discs, 176 min., PG, $34.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1954's A Star is Born features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Blu-ray extras include a brief narrative intro (3 min.), a “Pantages Premiere” TV special on L.A.'s historic Pantages Theatre (30 min.), deleted scenes (23 min.), alternate takes (12 min.), vintage newsreel footage of the premiere (8 min.), “A Report” by former Warner Bros. president Jack L. Warner (7 min.), “A Star is Bored” Bugs Bunny cartoon (7 min.), a brief “When My Sugar Walks Down the Street” outtake, a brief film effects reel, an audio vault (with various outtakes, radio broadcasts, and recording sessions), trailers, and a 40-page color booklet. Bottom line: a classic musical makes a most welcome debut on Blu-ray.]