A Star Is Born (1976 film)

A Star Is Born (1976 film)
Name	A Star Is Born
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Frank Pierson
Producer	Jon Peters
Screenplay	John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion, Frank Pierson
Based on	A Star Is Born, William A. Wellman, Robert Carson, Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell
Starring	Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson
Music	Paul Williams, Kenny Ascher
Cinematography	Robert Surtees
Editing	Peter Zinner
Studio	Barwood Films, First Artists
Distributor	Warner Bros.
Released	1976, 12, 18
Runtime	140 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6 million
Gross	$80 million

A Star Is Born (1976 film) is a musical romantic drama and the third remake of the 1937 original film. Directed by Frank Pierson and produced by Jon Peters, it stars Barbra Streisand as Esther Hoffman, an aspiring singer, and Kris Kristofferson as John Norman Howard, a self-destructive rock star whose career declines as hers ascends. The film is noted for its contemporary rock and roll soundtrack, which became a major commercial success, and for the significant creative control exerted by its star, Streisand.

Plot

Esther Hoffman, a backup singer in a Los Angeles band, meets the famous but troubled rock star John Norman Howard after one of his chaotic concerts at The Forum. Their relationship quickly deepens, and John helps launch Esther's solo career, culminating in a triumphant performance at a benefit concert for the United Farm Workers. As Esther's fame grows under the guidance of manager Brian, John's alcoholism and professional jealousy intensify, leading to a tragic confrontation at the Grammy Awards and his eventual death in a car accident, leaving Esther to perform a heartfelt tribute at a memorial concert.

Cast

* Barbra Streisand as Esther Hoffman * Kris Kristofferson as John Norman Howard * Gary Busey as Bob Ritchie * Oliver Clark as Gary Danziger * Vanetta Fields as one of The Oreos * Clydie King as one of The Oreos * Marta Heflin as Quentin * M.G. Kelly as Bebe Jesus * Sally Kirkland as Photographer * Joanne Linville as Freddie Lowenstein * Uncle Rudy as himself * Paul Mazursky as Brian * Moose as Moose

Production

The project originated with producer Jon Peters, who sought a vehicle for his then-partner Barbra Streisand. After the Oscar-winning success of Funny Lady, Streisand was granted significant authority by First Artists. The screenplay was written by John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion, with revisions by director Frank Pierson, though Streisand and Peters heavily influenced the final script, leading to reported conflicts. Filming took place primarily in Arizona and Los Angeles, including notable concert sequences at the Tucson Convention Center and Sun Devil Stadium. Cinematographer Robert Surtees utilized Panavision cameras and a Technicolor process, while the production faced challenges including budget overruns and disputes over the film's ending.

Music

The rock-oriented soundtrack was a cornerstone of the film, with songs composed primarily by Barbra Streisand, Paul Williams, Kenny Ascher, and Kris Kristofferson. The lead single, "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)", co-written by Streisand and Williams, became a massive hit, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. The soundtrack album, released on Columbia Records, topped the ''Billboard'' 200 chart for six weeks and featured other notable tracks like "Lost Inside of You" and "Watch Closely Now". The music was arranged by Ian Freebairn-Smith and featured performances by Donna Weiss and the band Kansas.

Release

The film had its world premiere on December 18, 1976, and was widely distributed by Warner Bros. A heavily promoted roadshow theatrical release included reserved seat ticketing and a souvenir program. Following its theatrical run, it was sold for television broadcast to NBC for a then-record sum and later released on VHS and LaserDisc by Warner Home Video. The film's release was accompanied by significant merchandising, including the bestselling soundtrack and sheet music.

Reception

Initial critical reception was largely negative, with reviewers from ''The New York Times'', ''Time'', and ''The New Yorker'' criticizing its length, self-indulgence, and departure from previous versions. However, it was a major box office success, grossing $80 million worldwide against a $6 million budget. The film earned several accolades, including the Golden Globe for "Evergreen" and an Oscar for the same song. Over time, the film has developed a cult following, particularly for its music and Streisand's performance, and is often noted in discussions of 1970s Hollywood musicals and star-driven productions.

Category:1976 films Category:American musical drama films Category:American remakes Category:Warner Bros. films