Buy the amazing Warner Archive Blu-ray here: amzn.to/3PP5ds6 Wild Bill Wellman: Hollywood Rebel by William Wellman Jr: amzn.to/3OOcd7c Showman: The Life of David O. Selznick by David Thomson: amzn.to/3JfUIf6
A Star is Born (1937) Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Turner Entertainment Co. Later remade this film several times in 1954, 1976 and 2018, since MGM's sister company, United Artists which originally distributed the 1937 film, was also co-produced and co-financed for the 2018 version with Warner Bros.
Another wonderful discussion, this is also a stellar release. Incidentally did you ever pick up a copy of Eurekas superb Vampyr Blu-ray. Its fantastic👌
Just received my copy today and this is the definitive way this film should look. I have a question: why is the blu ray artwork in black and white when this is a color movie?
The only home video release I have seen of A Star is Born from 1937 is the "Double Feature" DVD that was released way back in 2004 from Marengo Films with Nothing Sacred which was also produced by David O. Selznick and also starred Fredric March. That particular edition featured a very poor transfer for A Star Is Born. I will definitely buy the new Blu-Ray from Warner Archive because I want to see that new stunning transfer. I love supporting Blu-Ray releases like that. I have seen all four versions of A Star Is Born and my favourite is the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand. I found the 2018 version to be the weakest of the four.
The WAC disc for Star will literally blow you away. There's no comparison with what's come before. It's funny you mention Nothing Sacred...I'll be talking about that soon as it's the opposite situation on disc in terms of not having a full 4K restoration. I did see MOMA completed a restoration late last year but there's been no news of a further release. I like things in the '76 version and it was the first Dolby Stereo title. The 2018 version seemed to draw most of its inspiration from that iteration. All four versions have merit. The core story is so tried and true that I think you'd have to work very hard at making a bad film out of it.
Hey Spencer-- completely agree with your assessment of the restoration. I do also have the Kino blu-ray and there's just no comparison. Speaking of Selznick, I can't recommend highly enough Ronald Haver's massive coffee table book DAVID O. SELZNICK'S HOLLYWOOD. I believe it was published back in the '80s, but remains IMHO probably THE most lavishly produced books on Hollywood ever put out. The stills and production photos are amazing, and it's incredibly well-written as well. You can still find decent copies on eBay in the neighborhood of about 20 bucks. A must for your library if you're a classic movie fan...
Excellent review as usual Spencer, I was going to skip this one but you convinced me to order the disc so well done!! By the way, did you delete your review of Hitchcock's Blackmail blu-ray, I can't find it anymore??
Buy the amazing Warner Archive Blu-ray here: amzn.to/3PP5ds6
Wild Bill Wellman: Hollywood Rebel by William Wellman Jr: amzn.to/3OOcd7c
Showman: The Life of David O. Selznick by David Thomson: amzn.to/3JfUIf6
A Star is Born (1937)
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Turner Entertainment Co.
Later remade this film several times in 1954, 1976 and 2018, since MGM's sister company, United Artists which originally distributed the 1937 film, was also co-produced and co-financed for the 2018 version with Warner Bros.
I just saw this movie for the 1st time this morning. It's really good! I'm glad I saw it at last! I'm fortunate to have a copy of that WAC Blu-ray.
I hope they do a full restoration of "Life With Father" in the near future.
Another wonderful discussion, this is also a stellar release. Incidentally did you ever pick up a copy of Eurekas superb Vampyr Blu-ray. Its fantastic👌
Just received my copy today and this is the definitive way this film should look. I have a question: why is the blu ray artwork in black and white when this is a color movie?
I think it was a means to differentiate it from other releases perhaps.
The only home video release I have seen of A Star is Born from 1937 is the "Double Feature" DVD that was released way back in 2004 from Marengo Films with Nothing Sacred which was also produced by David O. Selznick and also starred Fredric March. That particular edition featured a very poor transfer for A Star Is Born.
I will definitely buy the new Blu-Ray from Warner Archive because I want to see that new stunning transfer. I love supporting Blu-Ray releases like that.
I have seen all four versions of A Star Is Born and my favourite is the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand. I found the 2018 version to be the weakest of the four.
The WAC disc for Star will literally blow you away. There's no comparison with what's come before.
It's funny you mention Nothing Sacred...I'll be talking about that soon as it's the opposite situation on disc in terms of not having a full 4K restoration. I did see MOMA completed a restoration late last year but there's been no news of a further release.
I like things in the '76 version and it was the first Dolby Stereo title. The 2018 version seemed to draw most of its inspiration from that iteration. All four versions have merit. The core story is so tried and true that I think you'd have to work very hard at making a bad film out of it.
Hey Spencer-- completely agree with your assessment of the restoration. I do also have the Kino blu-ray and there's just no comparison. Speaking of Selznick, I can't recommend highly enough Ronald Haver's massive coffee table book DAVID O. SELZNICK'S HOLLYWOOD. I believe it was published back in the '80s, but remains IMHO probably THE most lavishly produced books on Hollywood ever put out. The stills and production photos are amazing, and it's incredibly well-written as well. You can still find decent copies on eBay in the neighborhood of about 20 bucks. A must for your library if you're a classic movie fan...
@@davidosborn6714 I’ll definitely check that out! All I have is Thomson’s Selznick biography.
@@davidosborn6714 It is an AMAZING and lavish book, yes, and this film restoration is quite breathtaking!
Will you do a review of the Garland remakes blu ray?
I definitely would like to. Seeing this made me want to revisit the ‘54 version.
Excellent review as usual Spencer, I was going to skip this one but you convinced me to order the disc so well done!! By the way, did you delete your review of Hitchcock's Blackmail blu-ray, I can't find it anymore??
I’ve mentioned it at some point or another but I haven’t done a review as of yet. I need to do a bunch of specific Hitchcock disc reviews.
You won’t regret getting this release. It’s absolutely a treasure!!
Is this Warner Archive edition also available on regular DVD or bluray only?
I think it’s BD only.