COMPARING EVERY VERSION OF A STAR IS BORN

If you are like me, you used the newest versión of a star is born as an excuse to revisit (or discover) the older ones the one in 1937 / 1954 / and 1976. What is interesting about this franchise is that the core of the plot is actualy very flexible, each movie-going generation molds it to reflect and evolve the perspective on stardom.

Even though major plot point stay the same, little things gives us clues about our cultural differences through cinematic history. And hopefully by learning about the previous movies you´ll have a better understanding of the new one.

THE PLOT:

The specific of each film varied, but the storyline is basically adhered to this plot; Esther Blodgett wants to break into show business, she meets Norman Maine a very fampus and successful entretainer, totally by chance. He is taken with her and helps her launch her career; however, Norman is an alcoholic which in turn, is ruining his career.

They get married, Esther´s career takes off and changes her name to Vicky Lester and her fame eclipses his. She wins a majoy award but Norman ruins the evening by interrupting her speech, then he goes to rehab but it "doesn´t take" and he gets into more trouble, he finds out Esther is considering quiting her career to focus on his recovery which then leads him to commit suicide.

FIRST BORN 1937

Staring Janet Gaynor and Frederick March, te first versión is probably the most unerrated probably because its take on pop culture is considerably lighter tan Judy Garland´s or Barbara Streisend´s. But its sweet and raw and most importantly precise, avoiding the excesses of its late iterations. It is also a time capsule of a very specific era in Hollywood history.

1937 was an interesting time since depression was over and war wasn´t quite imminent so the studios had a ton of power over their image and employees. In a way, the movie was a send-up of propaganda piece and a sincere tribute to the culture of the time, all rolled into one.

BORN IN A TRUNK 1954

Staring Judy Garland and James Mason, the process of making this versión was kind of nightmarish, nothing went smoothly, it was a musical. Movies had to get bigger and greater because T.V was now a thing. This time Esther didn´t come with an origin story.

In this version the love story stealed the road to fame storyline´s thunder. And the alcoholism is much more deeply exposed as a sad suffering, instead of justa n entitled choice; which makes the climax more painful and easier to relate to.

Also the monologue where Vicky explains the marital problems more openly and she was a less confident carácter. This was the firs dramatic musical to have a somber side,, due to Garland´s lifestyle which helped her relate to Mason´s character´s struggles.

STILL BORN 1976

The film staring Barbara Streisend was poorly reviewed but did very well financially, this time around was a musical too and ended up boosting Streisend´s career by wining her the only Oscar of this franchise ... so far *wink*.

The script involved a significant and brilliant change, now Esther and Norman are rockstars which allowed to keep the same format by keeping the music but with a modern twist. Because at the time, pop culture became exclusively musicians.

This Esther was living through the women´s movement of the 70´s and the equal payment opportunity act. The UN declared 1975 the international women´s year. So needless to say that this was of utter importance for the movie´s originality and resemblance towards the era.

In this version Esther proposed to Norman, was more in charge of her appereance and her shows and a lot of this had to do with Barbara´s choices and input for the movie.

NORN AGAIN 2018

The most recent iteration keeps the 1976 rockstar/Grammys element, and it largely evolvs around its most important adjustment, which is that Norman now JAcksonplayed by Bradly Cooper has an extensive backstory for a change. He is also nos a kínder more sympathetic carácter and loves his partner played by Lady Gaga and comes with a lot more context, like a history of mental illness, a family and a ranch.

The Esther character here is named Ali because no one is named Esther anymore, and Ali´s got roots again, like in the 1937 version. It takes us back to the star making system of 1954 by making her change her appearance.

Sam Elliot´s carácter in the 2018 version says that music i show different people see and interpret the same 12 octaves, and that´s really what these films are, and that why they are continually compelling.