A Star Is Born--Restored Version [VHS]

A Star Is Born--Restored Version [VHS]
by George Cukor

A Star Is Born--Restored Version [VHS]

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Product details

Actor: Charles Bickford, Jack Carson, James Mason, Judy Garland, Tommy Noonan
Director: George Cukor
Producer: Jack L. Warner
Producer: Sidney Luft
Writer: Alan Campbell
Writer: Dorothy Parker
Writer: Moss Hart
Writer: Robert Carson
Writer: William A. Wellman
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC, Special Edition
Running Time: 154 minutes
Release Date: 1992-04-15
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Studio: Warner Home Video

VHS Movie Reviews of A Star Is Born--Restored Version [VHS]

Movie Review: Garland's musical genius makes "Star" special
Summary: 5 Stars

Recently I saw a 2 hour documentary on the musical lyricist, Johnny Mercer and it was noted in it that Mercer had an affair with a very young 19 yr old starlet by the name of Judy Garland. However Mercer's wife heard about it and confronted Ms Garland and read her the riot act--thus for as long as he lived, Mercer's feelings for Garland never changed. In fact the song, "I Remember You", is his love poem to Judy. After seeing this film several times, one can why. Though I do like the 1937 version with Janet Gaynor and Frederic March, this one is special because of Garland's musical genius. And the songs, everyone tailor made for her talents such as "The Man That Got Away", "Born in a Trunk", etc. Also outside of Judy, James Mason delivers an iconic performance as the doomed Norman Maine. So if you have to pick between the '37 version or this one--choose this for Garland and by the way, forget about the terrible 1976 Streisand version.

Movie Review: A Garland for Her
Summary: 5 Stars

In love Judy Garland, and I'd marry her (if she'd have me) if she were alive today. Only Louis Armstrong is able to do what she can do at her best, which is to rise to the level of true greatness both in technique and in expression. Just watch the three versions of "The Man That Got Away" available on this disc's side two. This great Ira Gershwin/Harold Arlen standard is presented in three different takes, and if I were the director of this movie, I wouldn't want to lose any of them since Garland absolutely nails the song each time. I don't know which is the best version, since she does some different stage business each time. This alone is worth the whole disc, but the medly-like "Born in a Trunk," which is an exteneded scene in itself, almost its own musical, puts everything over the top. This is essential stuff which is of great value in the history of American popular music ( and of movies).

Movie Review: Most Annoying!
Summary: 2 Stars

I found this DVD release of A STAR IS BORN impossible to watch. The all-too-frequent use of stills over a sound track was extremely annoying. I praise the attempt to recreate Cukor's original concept...but I do not praise the results. I would much rather have seen two versions on the DVD, one with the poor stills-and-dialogue recreation of what was hacked out, and one that's at least watchable. I have to confess that I didn't make it through the entire movie. I couldn't! It was too annoying. I think they should have waited until somebody somewhere can locate missing footage. (However, it's still better than the Streisand/Kristofferson abortion!)

Movie Review: A Stunning Masterpiece!
Summary: 5 Stars

Any Garland fan who hasn't seen this is in for a treat. The performances and musical numbers alone are mesmerizing, but the outstanding stereo audio and wide-screen presentation are second only to Judy Garland in making this film one of the all-time best. The included 'extras' are a wonderful added bonus.

Movie Review: Simply the Best Performance Ever
Summary: 5 Stars

I had the good fortune to have seen this movie in its original, uncut, length on Christmas Day 1954 at the Pantages Theater in LA. The production number "Born in a Trunk" was the last scene prior to intermission. When Judy finished the number, the entire movie audience rose to thier feet and gave that filmed performance a 5 minute standing ovation. To this day, I have never witnessed anything like it. It was pure magic.
I know that many movie critics have rated her performance as the finest by a female performer in the history of show business. I would offer that it was the best by any performer in the history of show business.
Over the years, I have purchased a couple of VHS tapes of the movie. One was the butchered release by Warner Bros. The other was the first attempt
at restoration. Niether of these were satisfactory reproductions.
One of my Grand Daughters is very much involved in theater study and is working hard to fulfill her dream to become a star. I want her to have an advance study guide on "how to deliver a fantastic performance"
I want her to see the all time epic movie star performance, so I purchased two copies of this almost fully restored latest version. I must say I am totally impressed. The sound is great on my 5.1 home theater and the restoration is superb.
The supporting cast, led by James Mason, is truly great.
It will always be show businesses ultimate mystery as to why the Motion Picture Academy ignored the greatness of this all time classic movie. Judy Garland and James Mason, without a doubt, deserved Oscars for thier performances.
If I could give this DVD 10 rating, I would. Buy it, you will love it!
G Pearman

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Summary of A Star Is Born--Restored Version [VHS]

"This is Mrs. Norman Maine": Could these be the most heartbreaking words Judy Garland ever uttered? George Cukor directed and Moss Hart wrote this film, a musical remake of the 1937 original. The story is a show-biz classic: He (James Mason) is a major movie star who is past his prime and on the way down; she (Garland) is an aspiring singer who, with his help, becomes a bigger star than he was. Their marriage becomes a seesaw of success and failure, as he slowly drinks himself to death out of bitterness at the fickleness of fame, until his bad behavior begins to threaten the career of his long-suffering and loving wife. Mason and Garland are both terrific, with her singing "The Man That Got Away" among others. Remade in a 1976 Barbra Streisand vanity production. --Marshall Fine

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Genres > Drama > By Theme
Love & Romance > Marriage
Star-Crossed Lovers
Musicals & Performing Arts > Musicals > Classics
Drama

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