A Star Is Born     

By Marshall Fine

This film actually began with the idea of remaking A Star Is Born with the then-hot couple James Taylor and Carly Simon. Eventually, it evolved into this vanity production for Barbra Streisand, with Kris Kristofferson as the designated stud muffin. The story remains the same: A superstar on the decline meets a young singer on the way up. They marry as their career trajectories intersect, and his eventual demise is meant as a sacrifice to further boost her career by ridding her of the burden of him. Kristofferson's rock & roll numbers are decidedly lousy--Hollywood's idea of rock music--and Streisand looks good and always sounds fine (she won an Oscar for cowriting the song "Evergreen"). But you can feel her heavy hand guiding every shot; she seems to serve as puppet master for director Frank Pierson, framing every image of herself for maximum glow. The ultimate date flick (if the guy can sit still through it).

Academy Awards

A Star Is Born received an Academy Award for Music Best Song (Barbra Streisand - Music, Paul Williams - Lyrics). A Star Is Born also received Academy Awards nominations for Cinematography (Robert L. Surtees), Music Scoring Awards (Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score; Roger Kellaway), and for Sound (Robert Knudson, Dan Wallin, Robert Glass, Tom Overton).

Share Your Memories!

Is A Star Is Born one of your favorite movies? What do you remember about it? Share your stories (or your reviews) with the world! (We print the best stories right here!)

		Your Memories Shared!

"I was at the concert when they filmed "A Star is Born" here in Tempe, AZ. I loved it!! My friends and I had so much fun - I think I had just turned 13. I will never forget. My friends and I were as close to the front as we were allowed to be and we were even on the news that night! I watch the movie all the time." --'Chelle~ from Az.

"When it first came out back in the Super70s, I recall going to the movies at least 6 times and I cried and cried every time. I loved it. Kris Kristofferson was one hellova sexy looking man back then, and he's still quite striking now. As for Barbra, what can I say....there will never be another voice like that ever again. She is gorgeous." --Siren

"This is my all time favorite movie. I have watch A Star is Born more than 50 times. I still know all the words including the songs. I have both the video tape and the 8 track audio tape. I refuse to part with either. Both myself and my sister are what you might call "obsessed" with this, but what can you say about Kris Kristofferson, what a hunk. As for Barbra Streisand, "What a voice"." --Donna in Utah

"This movie is the epitome of the type of character that Barbra Striesand continues to portray. As a teenager in the Super70s, songs like "The Woman in the Moon," and "The Black Widow" song inspired me to believe that women can be and do anything they want. Sound corny? I hope so. We still need to be inspired after all these years." --Theresa

"I think that the art shared throughout this musical is awesome. I sung to the album all the time when I was a kid (1976). Some of Barbara's songs have remained my favorites. Her songs not only represent a voice during oppression of women but also perfect an actual art of singing the words so perfectly, so representfully of the feeling. I love it and will continue to listen for the rest of my life." --Laurie

"This is one of the worst movies of all time. The writers should be shot. Kristoferson is really good and should do more serious acting. Streisand needs a dance coach. But let her just stand there and sing and she is gold." --Anonymous

"My high school sweetheart and I went to see "A Star Is Born" on our first date. I wore baby's breath in my curly hair to our senior prom, as Barbra did in the movie. We married shortly after we graduated from high school. We were so much in love but we were also very young. Our marriage ended after only a few short years but I have many precious memories of our time together. Now it is 18 years later and I don't hear "Evergreen" often but every time I do I fight back tears. "A Star Is Born" has a very special place in my heart and it always will." --Anonymous