When you hear the title "A Star is Born" film fans may think of the 2018 film. Some may think of the Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson film from 1976. Even some of others may think of the Judy Garland vehicle from 1954. But none of these were the original. That distinction goes to William Wellman's film from 1937.
Kino Lorber is know for restoring the classic films and giving them the release these films truly deserve and the Fredric March Janet Gaynor film deserves a better release than has been seen. The film fell into the public domain and the copies that have been floating around are really not very good. Kino Lorber rectifies that with their release of A Star is Born.
The film follows an unhappy farm girl named Esther Victoria Blodgett (Janet Gaynor) who is given money by her grandmother so she can run away to Hollywood. When she arrives she finds a friend in assistant director Danny McGuire (Andy Devine). But soon find out that friends mean little in the studio system. Not willing to given up she plugs on and meets alcoholic star Norman Maine (Fredric March), who gets her a screen test and then a leading role too. With the new name Vicki Lester she shoots to stardom while Norman's popularity fades, due to his drinking and poor attitude. The studio decides to give him up and push Vicki to the moon. Norman decides that he's a millstone around her neck.
A Star is born is a near perfect piece of cinema. From the pacing of the film, to the flawless acting to the masterful direction. Some may choose the newer versions of this story, but for me the 1937 is just a classy production that really deserves to be seen. It is a long forgotten era of Hollywood. When stars were stars and they carried themselves that way.
Now for the Kino Lorber release. First off the film is presented in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and the English mono 2.0 audio track. The film has been transferred from the original nitrate film stock. The difference between public domain versions and this one is night and day. The colors are more vibrant and the audio is much more crisp.
In this day an age of streaming content, it is great to see Kino Lorber bringing their brand of amazing restored classic films to the masses. Kino Now streaming service is available on computers, Android and Apple devices, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
So if you want to see the best quality version of this film that I have seen so far. I highly suggest heading over to KinoNow.com and rent or own this film. If you are a fan of physical media you can get this restored classic on Blu-ray from Amazon.com.
Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Kino Now's Streaming release of A Star is Born receives....
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