Product: Star Is Born (UK PAL Region 0)
Rating: 5.0
FINE DRAMA ABOUT THE PRICE OF SUCCESS
David O. Selznick's 1937 production of A STAR IS BORN was a re-working of 1932's WHAT PRICE HOLLYWOOD, and was remade in 1954 as a semi-musical with Judy Garland and James Mason. I've always preferred the '37 Janet Gaynor/Fredric March version as the best handling of the tragic story about the happiness and heartbreak that go hand in hand with fame and fortune as a wife's acting career takes to the heights, while her alcoholic husband's takes a nosedive.Directed by the always dependable William Wellman, A STAR IS BORN definitely tugs at the heartstrings but does it without being saccharine. As many times as I've seen it, it never fails to stir my emotions thanks to the excellent, truthful performances of both Gaynor and March, and Max Steiner's poignant music score. The film also authentically depicts Hollywood in that era; the machinery that went behind the tinsel, and the sometimes ruthless treatment the stars had to endure from the studios and public alike.Kino's Blu-ray is a noticeable improvement over the previous DVD Image release, having been mastered from an original 35mm nitrate print from George Eastman House. I compared both versions, and the color saturation of the Blu-ray is much richer than the DVD, and the picture is clear and sharp without any digital ghosting. The print has cue-marks and some wear, but still looks like actual film in 1080p resolution, which is something the previous DVD doesn't fully replicate. The extras are nothing special: a few trailers, some stills and lobby cards, and a wardrobe test.All things considered, Kino's latest release, while imperfect, is the best version of A STAR IS BORN that's currently available and I, for one, am glad I upgraded.This honest drama surely remains as one of the greatest movies Hollywood ever made about itself.