From Garland To Streisand, Then To Gaga: See How ‘A Star Is Born’ Shines Differently Through Generations

The 2018 musical romantic drama film “A Star Is Born” bagged a number of nominations from various award-giving bodies, not to mention the film being a huge commercial success in and out of the United States. The movie’s smart and captivating storytelling has truly taken the world by storm, but interestingly, its narrative has actually been repeated through the years. Some of you may not be aware that this latest Hollywood musical is a reincarnation of a 1954 classic movie, although many elements of the original piece has been updated.

‘A Star Is Born’ Of The 1950’s

There have already been three versions of “A Star Is Born,” which all used the same central theme of an aspiring singer crossing paths with a superstar whose fame has already started to dwindle. The first and original movie was shown in 1954, starring Judy Garland and James Mason. Audience back then had already heard of Garland as she was featured in “The Wizard of Oz.” In the musical, the actress plays the character of Esther Blodgett, who meets the British actor Norman Maine, played by Mason. Norman would eventually grant Esther’s wish to become a popular star, but their collaboration also helped him regain his spotlight. Esther and Norman’s relationship developed into a romantic one. Critics recognized the movie’s high caliber of musicality and an interesting plot, although the viewers back then questioned the chemistry of Garland as the lead actress with the much older Mason.

‘Tell Him’ Hitmaker Joins The 1976 Remake

After two decades, Hollywood would once again witness the love story between Esther and Norman via 1976 remake. The movie kept the major details of the first “A Star Is Born” movie, although there were a few tweaks needed to fit the 1970’s setting. The legendary singer Barbra Streisand, known for the big hits “Tell Him” and “Woman In Love,” played the role of Esther. In this version, Esther’s last name was changed from Blodgett to Hoffman, and the lead female character has now become a cabaret singer with a unique vocal prowess that captured the attention of Kris Kristofferson’s John Norman Howard.

Streisand had also already established herself as a talented singer prior to her stint in “A Star Is Born,” and the musical movie further cemented her status as a worldwide singing sensation. A song that Streisand performed in the movie, “Evergreen,” became widely popular not only in the United States but also overseas. This is a proof of how music impacts emotions as the audience embraced the musical the second time around.

‘A Star Is Born’ To Finally Win Best Picture In Oscars?

Fast forward to 2018, Brad Cooper’s directorial debut would be the third version of “A Star Is Born.” Some film reviewers initially thought that bringing the musical back to theaters would be a bad idea. However, Cooper’s efforts paid off as the movie is now nominated for a number of major awards. Perhaps the biggest story in the latest remake is the breakthrough performance of pop icon Lady Gaga as Ally, who is even nominated for the Best Actress in a Lead Role category at the Oscars. The movie is also a contender for the Oscar Best Picture, a feat that the first two versions of “A Star Is Born” failed to achieve.

It is undeniable that “A Star Is Born” still has its magic working after two adaptations. Many people can still relate to the story of a hardworking singer who wanted to make it big in the entertainment industry. There are some who are interested in plastic surgery Vancouver prices to get a total makeover, in hopes that having a pleasant appearance will get them somewhere in showbusiness. Although, it is also important to have raw and natural talent to be successful just like Esther or Ally.