A Star Is Born (1937)

A young woman comes to Hollywood with dreams of stardom, but achieves them only with the help of an alcoholic leading man whose best days are behind him.

Director:

William A. Wellman

Writers:

William A. Wellman (story), Robert Carson (story),

Stars:

Janet Gaynor, Fredric March, Adolphe Menjou

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Janet Gaynor	...	Esther Victoria Blodgett, aka Vicki Lester
Fredric March	...	Norman Maine
Adolphe Menjou	...	Oliver Niles
May Robson	...	Grandmother Lettie Blodgett
Andy Devine	...	Danny McGuire
Lionel Stander	...	Matt Libby
Owen Moore	...	Casey Burke - Director
Peggy Wood	...	Miss Phillips - Central Casting Clerk
Elizabeth Jenns	...	Anita Regis
Edgar Kennedy	...	Pop Randall - Landlord
J.C. Nugent	...	Mr. Blodgett
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams	...	Posture Coach (as Guinn Williams)

Storyline

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 alcoholic star Norman Maine, is given a test, and is caught up in the Hollywood glamor machine (ruthlessly satirized). She and her idol Norman marry; but his career abruptly dwindles to nothing

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Plot Keywords:

hollywood | alcoholic | party | overheard conversation | self destructiveness | 

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Taglines:

Is the price of stardom a broken heart?

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 April 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nace una estrella

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,173,639 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Selznick International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 17, 1940 with Adolphe Menjou reprising his film role.

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Goofs

In the night court scene, the judge refers to the "commonwealth" but the movie is set in California which isn't one of the states to have commonwealth status. The judge should have referred to the "state" instead.

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Quotes

Norman Maine: What do they do with the actors while you're away?
Matt Libby: Oh, they cut 'em into slices and fry 'em with eggs.

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Connections

Referenced in Tiny Toon Adventures: The Looney Beginning (1990)

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Soundtracks

"Dancing in the Dark"
(1931)
Music by Arthur Schwartz
(played at the Trocadero Club)

User Reviews

colour stardom of Esther Blodgett

Janet Gaynor plays Esther Blodgett beautifully, a girl who leaves for Hollywood with dreams of film magazines and the blessing of her granny. Once there she finds it tough-going until meeting Norman Maine (Fredric March) at a party. We've already seen Norman drunk at a theatre but here he charms Esther and actually gets her into the movies before marrying her and watching his own career crumble. March is excellent in this, and the look of the film is surprisingly modern with its lovely technicolor and gadgets (I particularly like the shower in the motor home Esther and Norman take on honeymoon). Esther's move to become star Vicki Lester, Oscar-winning actress, is unbelievable but as her real-life tragedy unfolds, compelling. And who can stay dry-eyed at the end? Remade with music and Judy Garland in 1954 (very well) but this first version is a jewel amongst other 30s classics.