Make It Again, Sam – Streaming Four Plus Versions of A Star is Born
FIRST: What Price Hollywood 1932 Loosely based on the experiences of actress Colleen Moore and her husband, alcoholic producer John McCormick. Directed by George Cukor. Constance Bennett and Lowell Sherman. Mary Evans, a Brown Derby waitress and aspiring actress, is squired to a premiere by drunken star, Maximillan Carey, who promises her a screen test. She sees that he gets home and spends the night on his couch. A test is arranged.
As Mary’s star rises, Max’s alcoholism persists and his career declines. He withdraws from the relationship. She’s briefly married to a polo player. On the night Mary receives an Academy Award, she’s asked to post bail for inebriated Max, does, and takes him to her home. He commits suicide. Trying to forget abroad, she runs into her ex-husband. He still loves her. The DVD for sale on Amazon, but not on either site to stream.
A Star Is Born 1937 Directed by William A. Wellman. Janet Gaynor and Fredric March; Adolphe Menjou, May Robson, Lionel Stander, Andy Devine. New to Hollywood, aspiring actress, Esther Blodgett, encounters drunk star, Norman Maine. She catches his eye again on a catering job, is offered a screen test, then the starring role in a film with which the studio is having difficulty. Renamed Vicki Lester, Esther becomes a star. We also meet sweet bandleader Danny McGuire and critical publicity man Matt Libby in this first iteration with the title.
Much to studio chagrin, Norman and Esther elope. When they return, her career flourishes, but it’s clear his is over. For awhile Norman is sober, but his new role as “Mr. Lester” drives the actor back to drink. He sloppily interrupts Vicki’s Academy Award acceptance. Very much in love, she plans to give up acting to take care of her husband, but he commits suicide. A letter from Norman to the grandmother that funded her initial trip to California convinces Mary to return to the business.
At her next premiere, she approaches the microphone with the iconic: “Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine.” The film contains several inside references, including Gaynor’s brief imitations of Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, and Mae West. Free with Amazon Prime.
A Star is Born, the Musical. 1954 Directed by George Cukor, who wanted Cary Grant for the male lead. Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Tommy Noonan. Written by Moss Hart. Here, Esther Blodgett is a vocalist. Performing at a benefit, she rescues Norman Maine when he arrives drunk and disruptive, turning his onstage appearance into a “number.”
Later, the star tracks Esther to an after hour club and recognizes her talent. Cue: “The Man That Got Away.” Though others are skeptical, he helps her break into film. Esther, now Vicki becomes an overnight sensation. The rest of the story is the same as 1937’s. The widow’s dramatic acknowledgment emerges at a charity function she’s coaxed out of seclusion to attend. The wonderful “Born In a Trunk” sequence was added afterwards under the aegis of Garland’s mentor, Roger Edens. Terrific film. Great musical numbers. Rent on Amazon Prime or Netflix.
A Star Is Born 1976 Directed by Frank Pierson. Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristoferson, Gary Busey, Paul Mazursky. This updated version moves into the world of rock n’roll. Headliner John Norman Howard abuses alcohol and possibly drugs. One night he stumbles into a club and sees Esther Hoffman perform. When he drunkenly starts a fight, she ushers him out the back door. He invites her to a stadium concert, but, out of control, destroys the set-up. She returns home alone. They run into each other at a studio, he takes her home to candles and bubble bath. At his next concert, Esther is pushed into singing. Lightning strikes.
Except for a hippie period of seclusion in the desert, the rest is the same as its predecessors. At a memorial for John, Esther is introduced as Esther Hoffman-Howard. Among actors considered for the male lead were Neil Diamond, Marlon Brando (!?), and Elvis Presley. Reviews said Streisand might’ve been miscast (by herself), but is forgiven everything when she sings. She’s also made to look luminous. Kristofferson is sexy. Very much of its time. Free with Netflix, Rent on Amazon Prime.
A Star is Born 2019. Produced, directed (debut), and co-written by Bradley Cooper. Starring Cooper and Lady Gaga. Sam Elliott as the hero’s step-brother/manager. Jackson “Jack” Maine is a drug and alcohol addicted country/rock star. At a drag bar (modern, get it?), he watches waitress/ singer/songwriter Ally perform a Piaf song. (Piaf?!) They spend the night talking. Ally shares an original song. Jack is impressed. He pushes her onstage at one of his gigs, then invites her on tour. They fall in love. And marry.
Ally is approached by an independent producer who changes her image. (Not for the better.) Jack objects for several reasons, not the least is jealousy and loss of influence. When she wins three Grammys, he disrupts the ceremony, then enters rehab. Ally demands (of her label) that Jack accompany her on tour, but is refused. She cancels the tour.
Her manager then privately tears into Jack, blaming him for holding Esther back. While she’s onstage, he commits suicide. Ally sings a song he wrote for her, introducing herself for the first time as Ally Maine. In 2011, it was announced Clint Eastwood would direct Beyonce in the remake, but she was pregnant. Depends entirely whether you’re a Gaga nut. Both actors do a credible job, though the film feels long and rather self-glorifying. Rent on Amazon Prime, free with Netflix.
Top Photo: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in 2019’s A Star is Born. Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers Entertainment
