I have neither a Blu-ray player nor an HD TV so there was no reason to get the Blu-ray of this release. On my standard def TV the image is not as sharp and crisp as other recent Warner restorations such as My Fair Lady and Wizard of Oz. But, I've learned through some research that this is because ASIB was filmed in single-strip Technicolor and it is impossible to sharpen the image. Actually the print does look a bit cleaner than the old VHS version of the reconstructed film. Just don't expect sharpness throughout. The musical numbers look the best.
Remember that almost 30 minutes of the film was cut after its theatrical release and it was through the efforts of Ron Haver who, in 1984, was able to find stills to fill in where soundtrack sections were located. That is what this version is and it really fleshes out the story. (And a great story it is!). And it is wide screen, not pan and scan.
What makes this version "deluxe" is the additional two hours of new supplemental material. These are all on the second disc which is NOT Blu-ray even in the Blu-ray set. Two hours are the same material as on the last release. The new material includes additional versions of some songs with different costumes and a lot of audio-only bonuses. The disc containing the feature film is double sided with half on each side.
You can see all the details of the bonuses in another "review" which copied the info from the press release.
As far as acting goes, James Mason is amazing and perfect for the part. Garland sings her heart out and this is, of course, a must for Judy fans... many of who can quote her lines from the film from memory.
Some day I'm sure Warner will issue the "Ultimate Edition" of ASIB but, sadly this is the best it is going to look on your TV. This is why film preservation is so important!
If you've not seen this film, or haven't seen it in years, watch it.. It will draw you in and show you why Garland and Mason were stars. This is a true Hollywood classic.
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic" A Star Is Born (Deluxe Edition)
ENHANCED CONTENT
A Star is Born (1954) 2-Disc Deluxe Special Edition DVD Enhanced Content:
Introduction: Run time 3:01
The Man That Got Away - Pink Dress: Run time 5:11 - Additional Take
The Man that Got Away - Brown Dress #1: Run time 4:49 - Additional Take
The Man that Got Away - Brown Dress #2: Run time 4:24 - Additional Take
The Man that Got Away - Brown Dress #3: Run time 4:00 - Additional Take
The Man That Got Away - Brown Dress #4: Run time 4:00 - Additional Take
Here's What I'm here For - Alternate Take: Run time 2:36 - Additional Take
Lose That Long Face - Alternate Take: Run time 4:55 - Additional Take
Trinidad Coconut Oil Shampoo - Alternate Take: Run time 1:24 - Additional Take
When My Sugar Walks Down the Street - Outtake: Run time 0:58 - Additional Take
Suicide Scene - Alternate Take: Run time 2:15 - Additional Take
Film Effects Reel: Run time 0:54
A Report by Jack L. Warner: Run time 6:24 - Vintage Featurette
Huge Premiere Hails 'A Star is Born' Newsreel Montage: Run time 7:49 - Vintage Featurette
'A Star is Born' Premiere in Cinemascope: Run time 2:05
Pantages Premiere TV Special: Run time 29:30 - Vintage Featurette
A Star is Bored (1956 WB Cartoon): Run time 7:00
A Star is Born (1937): Run time 2:46 - Trailer
A Star is Born (1954): Run time 3:52 - Trailer
A Star is Born (1976): Run time 3:46 - Trailer
Audio Vault - Oliver on the Phone with the Director Discussing Norman - Outtakes: Run time 2:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Norman and Esther on the Roof of the Hotel Lancaster - Outtakes: Run time 2:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - 12/28/1942 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast with Judy Garland and Walter Pidgeon: Run time 60:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Judy Garland Radio Interview: Run time 4:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Born in a Trunk: Run time 9:05 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Someone At Last - Rehearsal: Run time 10:34 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Someone At Last: Run time 7:16 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - My Melancholy Baby: Run time 7:06 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Black Bottom: Run time 1:48 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Swanee: Run time 4:57 - Audio Only
[...]
"(That was) the greatest robbery since Brinks" said Groucho Marx upon Judy Garland's losing the Oscar for "A Star Is Born" to Grace Kelly. Politics always exists; and this time it exerted a cruel influence. Judy Garland deserved the Oscar for Best Actress in this film.
Of course, everyone pretty much knows the plot by now; either they've heard of it before they got to this web page or they read reviews by other Amazon reviewers. Judy Garland plays Esther Blodgett, a band singer whose career soars into superstardom when she meets and falls in love with Hollywood mogul Norman Maine, played brilliantly by James Mason. There are some ups and downs along the way, however. (In case you don't know the whole plot, I won't spoil it for you here!)
The love affair between Esther and Norman is well played out: indeed, the acting of all the performers is entirely convincing and made me wish for more high quality films to be put out today!
The plot bravely tackles the problems of the Hollywood life: careers going up and down, lives sometimes completely destroyed in the process. The "performances within a performance" are especially outstanding: we see Esther showcase and spoof the 1950s type musical in the scene where she shows Norman the "big" musical number ("Somewhere There's) A Someone At Last" at the studio; and the "Born in a Trunk" sequence is one of the most artistic and spellbinding experiences anyone could ever hope to achieve in any motion picture.
Yet even with its plot, the film is primarily a vehicle to showcase Judy's talents. She doesn't fail to disappoint! My eyes were glued to her the entire time she was on screen; her acting, singing and dancing were beyond remarkable. She belts out classic Garland numbers such as "Swanee," "Born in a Trunk," and "The Man That Got Away." This last song is arguably one of the best Garland signature songs ever along with "Over the Rainbow" from a film a few of you may have heard of!
In addition, Garland fans may note that Judy's real life personality is perhaps best described as a blend of Norman's behavior and Esther's incredible talent and resiliency. Equally important, the plot is based at least in part on the marriage of Frank Fay and Barbara Stanwyck.
While I agree with the reviewer who writes that there's only so much improvement you can make with the image quality because of the type of film they used when shooting this movie, nevertheless, the enhancement of the image quality that I did notice impressed me. The sound was quite good, too. Sadly, this movie remains cut by roughly three minutes; it never should have been whittled down just for the sake of the almighty dollar. No wonder Judy and director George Cukor were so infuriated they vowed never to watch the film again!
The DVD comes with wonderful extras on a second DVD disc. There are so many bonus features that I hardly know where to start! There are 5 additional takes for "The Man That Got Away;" alternate takes for "Here's What I'm Here For;" "Trinidad Cocoanut Oil Shampoo;" "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street;" and more including a vintage featurette with Jack Warner; a wonderful vintage featurette of The Pantages Premiere TV Special and quite a few audio tracks from the "audio vault." There's still more for you to discover including the 1942 Lux Radio Theater broadcast of "A Star Is Born" with Judy as Esther Blodgett and Walter Pidgeon as Norman Maine; and that's grand.
My only minor disappointment was that the movie, which could have been presented on a single side of a DVD disc, is instead presented to us on two sides of one disc and it disturbs the flow somewhat to have to flip the disc even if there was an intermission at one point when they showed this film in theaters.
In short, if you love musicals, Judy Garland, James Mason, or just plain top notch quality film in general, you simply can't miss this edition of A Star is Born on DVD! It is truly one of the greatest movies of the twentieth century starring one of the greatest entertainers America has ever been blessed enough to have: Judy Garland! - Musical - James Mason - Classic Movie - George Cukor'
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