The 1954 version of “A Star Is Born” can best be described as a Judy Garland vehicle, as she played the leading role with her musical numbers taking up quite a large percentage of the film. Despite being plagued by personal problems at the time, not the least of which was drug addiction and alcoholism, this role is considered one of the best of her career.
George Cukor (“Rich and Famous” 1981) was in charge of this slick production, with a superior screenplay by Moss Hart. Ray Heindorf was the music director, and Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin penned the songs. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning zero: Best Actor (James Mason), Best Actress (Garland), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Musical Scoring, and Best Song (“The Man That Got Away,” music by Arlen and lyrics by Gershwin).
Co-stars of “A Star Is Born” along with Judy Garland are James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Amanda Blake, Tommy Noonan, Lucy Marlow, Irving Bacon, Hazel Shermet, Nancy Kulp, and Strother Martin. The film was successful at the box office, but due to the expenses of a huge budget, was not enough to make a profit for producer Sid Luft (Garland’s husband), Transcona Enterprises, and Warner Bros. Pictures.
A Star Is Born (1954)
cinema
My Review
The 1954 version of “A Star Is Born” can best be described as a Judy Garland vehicle, as she played the leading role with her musical numbers taking up quite a large percentage of the film. Despite being plagued by personal problems at the time, not the least of which was drug addiction and alcoholism, this role is considered one of the best of her career.
George Cukor (“Rich and Famous” 1981) was in charge of this slick production, with a superior screenplay by Moss Hart. Ray Heindorf was the music director, and Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin penned the songs. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning zero: Best Actor (James Mason), Best Actress (Garland), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Musical Scoring, and Best Song (“The Man That Got Away,” music by Arlen and lyrics by Gershwin).
Co-stars of “A Star Is Born” along with Judy Garland are James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Amanda Blake, Tommy Noonan, Lucy Marlow, Irving Bacon, Hazel Shermet, Nancy Kulp, and Strother Martin. The film was successful at the box office, but due to the expenses of a huge budget, was not enough to make a profit for producer Sid Luft (Garland’s husband), Transcona Enterprises, and Warner Bros. Pictures.