Hey folks, Harry here... A STAR IS BORN. That reaches back in Hollywood history. George Cukor made WHAT PRICE HOLLYWOOD? with Constance Bennett. It picked up an Oscar nomination for Screenplay, but didn't win.
Then 5 years later, Dorothy Parker penned a loose enough version to be considered original titled famously, A STAR IS BORN. William Wellman directed Janet Gaynor, Fredric March & Adolph Menjou to a multi-Oscar nominated film that is, for my money, the very best telling of A STAR IS BORN.
Then 17 years later, George Cukor decided to do a remake of the kinda remake of his own film in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason and Jack Carson. It's a great version, but I find it hard to watch as... Judy Garland is a bit convincing. And I saw way too many Andy Hardy movies with her and I hated to see this turn.
Then 22 years later, Frank Pierson dusted off the property - transformed it and cast Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson & Gary Busey in the 1976 version of A STAR IS BORN. Which was my mother's favorite version. I saw this about 5 times at Drive Ins when it came out. But as Dad just reminded me when I asked to confirm my Drive In memory he responded, "Oh yeah, your mom loved that film, but it wasn't for Streisand, she had the hots for Kris Kristofferson!" Mom had great tastes.
Now -Bradley "Rocket" Cooper - is dusting off this well loved (by the Oscars) story of the magic they weave over young idealistic talents that might become celestial bodies in their pantheon of stars. Bradley has cast Lady Gaga in the role, but today he added Dave Chappelle, joining Andrew Dice Clay & Sam Elliott. It's been 41 years - the longest wait in this property's history for being recycled by Hollywood.
Will it get the standard 6 Oscar nominations and one win? Or will it finally sweep and us all call Bradley Cooper the genius of our times? We'll see September 28th, 2018!
Keep it cool,
Harry
