50 Fun Facts About A Star is Born

How many official film versions of A Star Is Born have been made?

1937, 1954, 1976 and 2018; between them the four films earned 25 Oscar nominations but won only three.

Which 1932 film's plot heavily inspired the original A Star Is Born?

RKO considered suing David O. Selznick for plagiarism, and the 1932 film's director refused to direct the 1937 one because it was too similar.

Who starred as Esther Blodgett in the 1937 original?

It was her only Technicolor film, and Fredric March played the fading star Norman Maine.

The 1937 original was the first of its kind nominated for the Academy's top award. What kind?

Dorothy Parker was among its writers, and its only win was for Best Original Story.

What stage name does the studio give Esther Blodgett?

In the 1954 version she only discovers her new name when she tries to collect her paycheck.

In the 1937 and 1954 films, how does Norman Maine die?

He overhears Esther planning to give up her career to look after him; in the 1932 precursor the equivalent character shot himself.

When Esther wins her Oscar on screen in the 1937 film, whose real statuette is she holding?

Gaynor had won the very first Best Actress Oscar in 1929, and the same statuette shows up on a shelf in a later scene.

With what famous line does Vicki end the 1954 film at a charity function?

The crowd gives her a standing ovation; her old bandmate Danny had coaxed her out of seclusion.

Who directed the 1954 musical version starring Judy Garland?

He had turned down the 1937 film, and left the production before the long 'Born in a Trunk' sequence was added.

Which actor did the 1954 film's director want as the male lead, reading the whole script with him?

Cukor had directed him three times before; James Mason took the role and earned a Best Actor nomination.

Which song from the 1954 film was ranked No. 11 on the AFI's list of top movie songs?

Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin wrote it, and its screening at a 1981 Gershwin tribute helped spark the film's restoration.

About how many minutes did Warner Bros. cut from the 1954 film after its premiere?

Executives feared the 182-minute running time would limit daily showings; Cukor was in India scouting Bhowani Junction.

Which film preservationist reconstructed the 1954 film to 176 minutes in 1983?

He was granted access to the Warner vaults, and the restored version was screened at Radio City Music Hall with James Mason and Garland's daughters present.

Whose 1954 Best Actress Oscar win over Judy Garland did Groucho Marx call 'the biggest robbery since Brink's'?

She won for The Country Girl; the film had been promoted as Garland's comeback after leaving MGM.

The 1954 film was Judy Garland's first movie since leaving which studio in 1950?

She had negotiated her release soon after filming began on Royal Wedding.

In the 1954 film, how does Esther save a drunk Norman Maine from humiliation on stage?

He takes her to dinner and to an after-hours club and convinces her she can break into movies.

The 1976 remake moved the story from Hollywood filmmaking to which world?

So the heroine wins a Grammy rather than an Oscar, a change the 2018 film kept.

Who plays fading rock star John Norman Howard opposite Barbra Streisand in 1976?

His then-wife Rita Coolidge appears briefly as herself presenting at the Grammys.

Which superstar did Streisand and Jon Peters want for the 1976 male lead, only for his manager to scupper it?

Colonel Tom Parker insisted on top billing and a substantial fee, though the star himself hoped the film would revive his movie career.

Where did the film credits say Barbra Streisand's wardrobe came from?

The credit reads 'Miss Streisand's clothes from... her closet'; she also served as executive producer.

Which love theme from the 1976 film won the Academy Award for Best Original Song?

Streisand became the first woman to win the songwriting Oscar as a composer; Paul Williams wrote the lyrics.

How many weeks did the 1976 film's love theme spend at number one on the Billboard Hot 100?

It was Streisand's second US number one after 'The Way We Were', and also won the Grammy for Song of the Year.

Which Tempe, Arizona venue hosted the 1976 film's concert scenes?

Other locations included downtown Tucson and Sonoita, and David Winters choreographed the dance sequences.

How much did the 1976 film gross in North America against a $6M budget?

That made it the second-highest-grossing film of the year, despite reviews that panned the screenplay and length.

Which pair of married writers co-wrote the 1976 screenplay with director Frank Pierson?

Streisand herself wrote songs for the film with Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher.

Who directed the 2018 version of A Star Is Born?

It was his directorial debut, and he co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Roth and Will Fetters.

Which singer, first choice for the 2018 lead, worked with Cooper for a year before leaving?

Clint Eastwood had originally been in talks to direct her in 2011; Adele was briefly considered before Cooper saw Gaga sing 'La Vie en rose' at a charity event.

What is the name of Lady Gaga's character in the 2018 film?

She is a 31-year-old waitress and songwriter whom Jackson Maine first sees performing an Édith Piaf tribute in a drag bar.

Which song from the 2018 film won the Academy Award for Best Original Song?

Gaga wrote it with Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt, and it also won the Golden Globe.

Where was the scene of Ally joining Jackson on stage for the film's Oscar-winning song filmed?

It was shot in front of a live audience, and the song is heard three times in the film.

Which veteran actor plays Bobby, Jackson Maine's older half-brother and manager?

Howard Stern was the first choice for the role and passed; Cooper had already modelled Jackson's voice on him before approaching him.

Which comedian plays Jackson's best friend George 'Noodles' Stone?

Andrew Dice Clay plays Ally's father Lorenzo, and Jack proposes to Ally with a ring made from a loop of guitar string at Noodles's house.

At which music festival did principal photography on the 2018 film begin in April 2017?

Key concert scenes were shot at Stagecoach between sets by Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson, with eight minutes to set up and film each one.

Which TV show let Cooper film Ally's breakthrough performance on its real stage with its real crew?

Lorne Michaels gave permission; Cooper wanted a recognisable marker of success instead of a montage.

Which musician, spotted by Cooper at Desert Trip, contributed songs and led Jackson's on-screen band?

His band Promise of the Real appears as Jackson's band, and Cooper trained daily on guitar, piano and vocals to prepare.

Which classic song does Ally hum as the film's title appears, in a nod to Judy Garland?

She is walking up a ramp from her waitressing job; her drag-bar number is an Édith Piaf cover.

According to writer Will Fetters, which rock star inspired the 2018 script's male lead?

Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise were all discussed for the role over the film's long gestation.

At the Grammys in the 2018 film, an intoxicated Jackson performs a tribute to which singer?

Ally wins Best New Artist, and Jack wets himself on stage and passes out during her speech.

What condition, besides addiction, does Jackson tell his rehab counsellor is getting worse?

He also discloses that he tried to take his own life at 12, and later admits it was Bobby, not their father, he idolised.

Roughly how much did the 2018 film take at the worldwide box office?

It premiered at Venice and earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture.

Lady Gaga became the first woman to win which four awards in one year for the film and soundtrack?

The soundtrack won four Grammys from seven nominations, including Song of the Year nods two years running.

To find Jackson Maine's speaking voice, Cooper modelled the character's cadence on which co-star?

He worked with dialect coach Tim Monich, and played the actor a recording of the impression when offering him the part.

Which 1987 film performance did screenwriter Eric Roth suggest Gaga draw on for Ally?

Cooper wanted Ally to be an artist rather than an ingénue, unlike the earlier Esthers.

How does Jackson Maine die in the 2018 film?

Ally's manager Rez had told him it was 'embarrassing' she was married to him; the earlier films' Norman Maine drowned himself.

Who plays fading star Norman Maine opposite Janet Gaynor in the 1937 original?

It was March's Technicolor debut and Gaynor's only Technicolor film; William A. Wellman directed for David O. Selznick.

Which famous wit is credited among the screenwriters of the 1937 A Star Is Born?

How much Parker actually contributed alongside Wellman, Robert Carson and Alan Campbell is not known.

Who plays Norman Maine opposite Judy Garland in the 1954 musical version?

Cukor had first wanted Cary Grant; Jack Carson took the role of studio publicist Matt Libby.

The 1954 film was the first Warner Bros. picture shot in which widescreen process?

Executives made the switch after eight days of filming, having shot 'The Man That Got Away' in both formats.

Which songwriter co-wrote the songs for the 1976 Streisand version with Kenneth Ascher?

Streisand herself also wrote songs, and Roger Kellaway supplied the underscore; Gary Busey appears in a supporting role.

Which director was first in talks in 2011 to make the remake that became the 2018 film?

Eastwood was to direct Beyoncé, with Bradley Cooper as the male lead; Cooper eventually directed and cast Lady Gaga.