A Star Is Born (1937) {Warner Archive Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

A Star is Born has has been made on film many times. The latest being 2018's Best Pictures Oscar nominated film. But beyond Lady Gaga Barbara Streisand and the legendary Judy Garland also took the lead roles in adaptions of this original production. That production was in 1937 and starred Fredric March and Judy Gaynor and was directed by William A. Wellman.

This absolute classic from Selznick International Pictures is now getting a new Blu-ray release featuring a brand new 4K scan. And also some pretty cool bonus features. And this is all thanks to the great folks at Warner Archive.

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, to try to chase her dreams. When she arrives she finds a friend in assistant director Danny McGuire (Andy Devine). But things in the studio system are much harder than she ever dreamed, but she is not willing to given up. As she pushes forward she meets and falls in love with fading actor Norman Maine (Fredric March). With his help she become Vicki Lester and her acting career skyrockets her to stardom while Norman's popularity continues a downward spiral all thanks to his alcohol addiction. As the studio decides to release him and push Vicki. Norman doesn't want to stand in her way and decides to take extreme measures.

A Star is Born is an inspiring and at times heart wrenching drama. The story was co-created by director William A. Wellman and Robert Carson and what a story it is. I always say that the first is always the best and I think as good as the other films are, this first one is head and shoulders above the rest.

Now Warner Archive have transferred this film in 1080p in it's original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. 

Warner's new 4K restoration is taken from the original Technicolor negative. I have seen many versions of this film over the years, but this new restoration is nothing short of miraculous. It looks simply stunning. The colors are eye popping and there is no signs of damage to this print that I could see. C'est magnifique!

Now a simply stunning restoration of this film is not where this Blu-ray ends. Not by a longshot. Take a look at the bonus features included in this set.

* Lux Radio Theater Broadcast (9/1/1937) A condensed radio version of A Star Is Born starring Janet Gaynor and Robert Montgomery.

* Lux Radio Theater Broadcast (12/28/1942) A condensed radio version of A Star is Born Starring Judy Garland and Walter Pidgeon.

* A Star is Hatched (1938) Emily the chicken, lives in Hickville but dreams of Hollywood in this classic cartoon.

* Mal Hallett and His Orchestra (1929) Mal Hallett is a professor in a class of musicians. 

* Taking the Count (1937) Ann is in love with boxer Joe Palooka and wants him to retire from the ring. Ann's mother want her to marry a European count. 

* Alibi Mark (1937) When an out-of-work man from Chicago travels west as a hobo on a freight train. He soon finds himself falsely accused of murder.

* Theatrical Trailer


Watch The Trailer Below:

Janet Gaynor looks gorgeous in technicolor. I find it a shame she never made another technicolor film after this one. But I am glad Warner Archive put so much love into this Blu-ray release. The film is so good it truly does deserve it!

If you would like to a copy of this simply amazing Blu-ray of this tremendous classic film head over to Amazon and order your copy today.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Warner Archive Blu-ray release of A Star is Born receives...