Re: What Did You Watch? 2024-12-18 (Wednesday)

Arthur Lipscomb <arthur@alum.calberkeley.org> wrote:

On 12/21/2024 3:22 AM, anim8rfsk wrote:

Arthur Lipscomb <arthur@alum.calberkeley.org> wrote:

"A Star is Born" is a movie with multiple versions.  I watched all
them and didn't like any version, until the most recent version.

I've never managed to sit through any version, even though I know people in
the Kris Kristofferson one since it was shot here. And doesn’t another
version star James Mason?

 

The 1954 version with Judy Garland.  I think TCM had a marathon one day
starting with the 1937 version, and I recorded and watched them all.
This was long before the most recent remake.  Somewhat interesting, and
you wouldn't pick up on this if you haven't watched the 1937 version,
but in the original version they were actors, then in 54 with Judy
Garland and every version since, they've hired singers.

Even though I didn't like the original movie(s) I kept watching them
because I felt there was definitely a good concept in there.  They just
needed the right script, cast, director, etc. and eventually they made a
version that I did like.  And for that, I'm glad I kept watching the
remakes.

I keep telling you that What Price Hollywood? (1932) starring Constance
Bennett and Lowell Sherman is the original, that A Star Is Born (1937)
starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March was an unlicensed ripoff by
another studio. I liked both '30s movies because the two actresses are
just gorgeous.

Note that Judy Garland's band leader had been a female character in the
two earlier versions.

. . .

Yes, I *almost* said that.  I think it was a quote from Roger Ebert
about remaking the bad movies instead of the good ones.  But I'm all for
remaking the good ones too!  I know it's been in the works for forever,
but just last month they gave a new announcement about the "Forbidden
Planet" planet.  People are going apoplectic over the possible remake.
But I really *liked* the original, and I would very much like to see
where that story goes next with either a *good* remake or a *good*
sequel.  As long as the movie is entertaining, I don't care if it's a
remake or a sequel.

Uh, Forbidden Planet was not original. It was an adaptation of The
Tempest in an off world futuristic setting.

There weren't too many Star Trek scripts that weren't adapted from
Shakespeare or the Bible or a story from the ancient Greeks. Since the
Greeks invented theater, what's original?