REMARKABLE PICTURE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 29 July 1937, Page 10

REMARKABLE PICTURE.

“A STAR IS BORN.” Of all the realms of human experience offering scope for the screen s powers of dramatisation, the least exploited is Hollywood. Realising that, David O. Selznick conceived the ambitious project of building a film about the chequered courses of the stars in the Hollywood firmament. Those privileged to attend a preview at the Regent Theatre, yesterday afternoon, of A Star Is Born,” which is all in techiiicolour, were impressed by a remarkable study against which the stars idols of millions—win their way to fame The film dramatises the career of a simple American country girl whose life had but one aim—her ambition to earn acclaim as a film star. To Hollywood, at once the goal and the tomb of the dreams of thousands like her, goes Esther Blodgett (Janet Gaynor), only to plumb disillusion’s depths. But the tide turns, and through the kind agency of Norman Maine (Fredric March) a famous if besotted star, she gets her first screen test. Meteoric is the only adjective qualifying her subsequent career ; opposite Maine, she not only scores instant success but inadvertently sets Maine still further down into eclipse. •Her marriage to Maine takes place, but tragedy looms when her husband’s continual drunkenness inspires her to a determination to resign her tremendous career in an attempt to redecln his personality. To Adolphe Monjou, cast as the producer, she confides her resolve. The ultimate sacrifice, however, is Maine’s, and the climax of the story is as impressive as it is real. The film is something more than a study of the conflict enveloping a woman bent on attaining the adoration of “moviedom” ; to the audiences for whom the cinema is a major recreational interest it affords unique and interesting studies of tlie glamour, the heartburning and the pathos surrounding the idols of the hour. Not the least illuminating study is that of the machinations of a heartless press agent, portrayed by Lionel Stander. It should be mentioned that one of the finest characterisations is that of May Robson, cast as Esther’s (now Vicki Lester’s) grandmother, whose pioneer spirit is rekindled in the girl. “A Star Is Born” is one of only six pictures to have played for three weeks in the Radio Music Hall, New York, and showed for four weeks in Auckland. It will be screened at the Regent in the near future.