A Star Is Born (1937)

Free Great Movies Review

  •  (4.5 out of 5 stars)

The original classic film that was successfully remade in 1954, 1976, and 2018. The 1937 version still packs a punch as it deals with the Hollywood archetypes of the rising star Vicki Lester (played by Janet Gaynor) and the alcoholic Hollywood has-been Norman Maine (played by Fredric March). Gaynor is as fresh and innocent as the farm girl with Hollywood dreams that she is portraying, and March is as cynical as the old Hollywood star whose career is on the downslide. While its polished Hollywood myth-making is not nearly as dark as the truth, it still features some witty dialogue, particularly from a sleazy publicity agent played by Lionel Stander. The story is well choreographed with familiar moments and scenes if you've seen the remakes. The early Technicolor is a little muddy, but it is still amazing to see Hollywood sites like Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl in the 1930s. Gaynor and March deliver many classic moments in this quintessential Hollywood tragedy, which encourages us that the show must go on!

(Summary from Wikipedia)

Copyright Info: This movie is in the public domain and is legally available for free on YouTube.

More Like A Star Is Born