A Star Is Born (1954)

[jfearnside]

Originally Posted by Chaz05

Warner Archive is re-releasing this and the ‘76 version next month.



A Star Is Born Blu-ray

https://www.wbshop.com/collections/w...-orders?page=1

I saw that as well--this forum's site lists the re-release as using the MPEG-4 AVC codec instead of the older VC-1. I wonder if they utilized a higher bitrate as well? I assume it's the same transfer in all other respects.

My wife and I own the 2010 DVD (yes, I was still buying DVDs then), which also features the same transfer. I wonder how big a step up the Blu-ray is. Probably well worth the jump would be my guess, though reviews seem mixed on this. We're going to watch it again this weekend. I'm sure I'll end up upgrading someday. I'm just not sure how much of a priority it is right now, given how many OTHER titles--new and upgrades--I'd like!

[Acer2010]

Originally Posted by jfearnside

I saw that as well--this forum's site lists the re-release as using the MPEG-4 AVC codec instead of the older VC-1. I wonder if they utilized a higher bitrate as well? I assume it's the same transfer in all other respects.

My wife and I own the 2010 DVD (yes, I was still buying DVDs then), which also features the same transfer. I wonder how big a step up the Blu-ray is. Probably well worth the jump would be my guess, though reviews seem mixed on this. We're going to watch it again this weekend. I'm sure I'll end up upgrading someday. I'm just not sure how much of a priority it is right now, given how many OTHER titles--new and upgrades--I'd like!

Does anyone have an answer to this question? I'm curious if the WAC Blu-ray of A STAR IS BORN (1954) is the same transfer from the 2010 Blu-ray, and if so, what's the difference between the Codec: VC-1 (22.94 Mbps) [the 2010 Blu-ray] and the Codec: MPEG-4 AVC [the 2019 WAC Blu-ray] in terms of picture and audio qualities?

[Acer2010]

Originally Posted by Acer2010

Does anyone have an answer to this question? I'm curious if the WAC Blu-ray of A STAR IS BORN (1954) is the same transfer from the 2010 Blu-ray, and if so, what's the difference between the Codec: VC-1 (22.94 Mbps) [the 2010 Blu-ray] and the Codec: MPEG-4 AVC [the 2019 WAC Blu-ray] in terms of picture and audio qualities?

Does anyone own the Warner Archive Blu-ray of A STAR IS BORN, so that I know if it's the same disc or not? I ask because I rented the original Blu-ray release through Netflix, and I liked it.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Acer2010

Does anyone own the Warner Archive Blu-ray of A STAR IS BORN, so that I know if it's the same disc or not? I ask because I rented the original Blu-ray release through Netflix, and I liked it.

Yeah, same discs just different packagin.

[bigscaries]

Can anyone confirm that this 2019 release has the same special features on Disc 2 as the earlier Blu-ray release?

Specifically, I am trying to determine whether it includes the classic cartoon "A Star Is Bored".

Thanks

[Shanghai Express]

Originally Posted by bigscaries

Can anyone confirm that this 2019 release has the same special features on Disc 2 as the earlier Blu-ray release?

Specifically, I am trying to determine whether it includes the classic cartoon "A Star Is Bored".

Thanks

They are the same. In fact, the two discs inside the WAC case keep the 2010 design.

[50strat54]

When the Oscar for Best Actress went to Grace Kelly instead of Garland, Groucho Marx sent Garland a telegram reading: "Dear Judy, this is the biggest robbery since Brink's".

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

When the Oscar for Best Actress went to Grace Kelly instead of Garland, Groucho Marx sent Garland a telegram reading: "Dear Judy, this is the biggest robbery since Brink's".

And it was so true.
No disrespect but while I have to make it clear I never saw the movie, or actually, never anything with Grace Kelly (I know!), I highly doubt that her performance was anywhere near what Judy gave in one of her defining roles.

[tellybox]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

And it was so true.
No disrespect but while I have to make it clear I never saw the movie, or actually, never anything with Grace Kelly (I know!), I highly doubt that her performance was anywhere near what Judy gave in one of her defining roles.

In a year filled with so many fantastic female characters, Grace Kelly gave a wonderful, stripped down performance in The Country Girl. It's quite remarkable and shouldn't be discredited. Her winning is deserved.* Do yourself a favour and track down a copy

*I'm also a huge Judy fan and think her performance in A Star is Born is stellar.

[Brown Jenkin]

Just curious, does the WA version have the capability to play either version of the film or just the extended?

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by Brown Jenkin

Just curious, does the WA version have the capability to play either version of the film or just the extended?

Are you asking if it has the shortened 1954 theatrical cut? The 2010 disc doesn’t have it and the WA disc is just a reprint of that. I don’t think the theatrical cut has been seen anywhere since the 80s restoration of the original cut.

[WaverBoy]

I really wish the collector who has the complete print would cough it up.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by Brown Jenkin

Just curious, does the WA version have the capability to play either version of the film or just the extended?

That theatrical cut is awful. I did not like this film when I first saw it.

It wasn't until I was the restored version that I realized what a great film it was and how transcendent Garland's performance was.
James Mason is also excellent in this film. What an underrated actor. Great many years later in The Verdict.

[jeangreyforever]

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

I really wish the collector who has the complete print would cough it up.

Same. It's a travesty that the full film has never been released to the public. Movie stills synced with audio are a poor substitution.

[Brown Jenkin]

Thanks for the info. Figured it wouldn't, but had to ask.

[Geode]

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

I really wish the collector who has the complete print would cough it up.

Has it ever been substantiated that a collector has a complete print, or is it still a rumor? I remember some claims from over ten years ago that were never really verified as being true.

[tellybox]

Originally Posted by Geode

Has it ever been substantiated that a collector has a complete print, or is it still a rumor? I remember some claims from over ten years ago that were never really verified as being true.

It's been awhile since I've read it but in his book A Star is Born, Ron Haver mentions someone had a 35mm complete print but he couldn't get the collector to come forward.

[vertigop1ayer]

The next time they remake A Star is Born (or do we think they'll stop at three remakes ) I either want them to tackle a new industry entirely or go back to Hollywood. This is such a grand film.

Interestingly, if you think of this as a remake of the 1937 original and the 2018 movie as a remake of the 1976 film, I significantly prefer the second film in each case.

[dukiejosh54]

Originally Posted by tellybox

It's been awhile since I've read it but in his book A Star is Born, Ron Haver mentions someone had a 35mm complete print but he couldn't get the collector to come forward.

What a shame if a collector is keeping the rest of the world from getting to see This wonderful film in it's entirety

[Geode]

Originally Posted by tellybox

It's been awhile since I've read it but in his book A Star is Born, Ron Haver mentions someone had a 35mm complete print but he couldn't get the collector to come forward.

Ron Haver's book was published over 30 years ago. Such a print may have existed when he was part of the restoration in the early 80s, but would that still be true today? Presumably it would have been an IB Tecnicolor print so as to not already have faded color, but these prints are basically time bombs due to "vinegar syndrome" that destroys them. Technicolor prints are more susceptible to VS than others. From the rumors I read about it was hinted that it was a stereo print, and these have magnetic stripes that seem to act as a catalyst for VS making such a print even more at risk. The odds are fairly high that even if such a print existed 40 years ago that this is no longer the case.

I talked to Ron Haver during a film showing at the LA County Art Museum during the early 80s, I think in 1981, but not about this film. He and I were both very keen on the restoration of "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" (1970) and that was what we mainly discussed. It was his pet project at the time. He told me that all elements of the roadshow version had been located except for some of Miklos Roza's score, which could be re-recorded. He said he had uncovered the last piece of the puzzle on a trip to the UK. Unfortunately this ultimately was proven to be very incorrect. One segment was still totally missing, the soundtrack was missing for another, and the picture missing for a segment for which the soundtrack had been found.

This is the last I ever saw on "A Star is Born" and it basically is hearsay:

https://www.thejudyroom.com/asib/asib-article.html