Legendary screen star Judy Garland, a former resident of historic Whitley Heights, was featured on the big
screen at The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, having just been celebrated in her treasured classic The Wizard of Oz in July.
This time, she is starred in the Oscar nominated motion picture A Star Is Born.
The Warner Brothers film was George Cukor’s masterful and emotionally reflective remake of William Wellman's version from 1937.
There
is no small irony in the fact that 'A Star Is Born', the story of a fading alcoholic, was actually
conceived as a comeback vehicle for Judy Garland, who's...
...heartrending performance is perhaps the
finest work of her career. The story is that of failing star Norman Maine, portrayed by James Mason, who discovers and
marries rising matinee idol songbird Esther Blodgett (Miss Garland).
Fueled by Garland’s terrifying vulnerability, George Cukor’s flawless
direction, a superb script by Moss Hart and production designer Gene Allen’s talents (he also worked on MY FAIR LADY) this film brings to life a brilliant evocation of Hollywood wealth and power. This film is an
amazing synthesis of onscreen drama, music and behind-the-scenes myth.
Worth noting, this film was director George Cukor’s first
musical and first color picture and was a remake of the 1937 movie with Janet Gaynor and
Fredric March. Musically, Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin provided
Garland with songs that would become standards in her concert
repertoire, including "The Man That Got Away," which earned an Oscar
nomination for Best Song.
The 1954 Warner Brothers movie was shown in the restored, 170 min. version
at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theater in downtown
Hollywood.
A STAR IS BORN Theater Film Presentation:
Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 7:30 PM
For 24 Hour information, call (323)
466-3456. The Egyptian
Theater in the heart of Hollywood celebrates many of Whitley Height's
historic stars through their classic film presentations throughout the
year.
Note: Archived article
