A Star Is Born

 

Friday, I went to a co-worker's office (one that I don't trust at all, but that I had to discuss some work with). She and another co-worker were, as it turns out, discussing the new "Star Is Born" movie with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

I said that I probably would see it, even though I didn't particularly like Cooper or Gaga, just because I wanted to compare it to all of the other versions.

"What other versions?"

"Streisand in the '70s, Garland in the '50s, Janet Gaynor in the '30s."

"Oh yeah, I remember that one with Kris Kristofferson." [We all agreed that he wasn't that good of an actor or singer.]

The two people I was discussing with were in their 50s and 60s. So, yes, the '70s version with Streisand/Kristofferson was the only one that came out in their (and my) lifetime.

Yet, how are you not aware that other versions preceded the one that you're aware of? How have you not ever seen them in your 50 or 60 years of life?

p.s.
My favorite movie versions pre the new one: (1) 30s, (2) 70s, (3) 50s.
My favorite leading lady in the role: (1) 70s Streisand, (2) 30s Gaynor, (3) 50s Garland.
My favorite leading man in the role: (1) 30s Fredric March, (2) 70s Kristofferson, (3) 50s James Mason.

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p.s.s. A melancholy thought: I would love to have a 30s/50s/70s/10s "Star Is Born" viewing marathon at home with a partner and discuss during and after! (Melancholy because I don't know anyone who would also like to do this.)

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p.s.s.s. A poem I wrote in 1985, at age 20, remembering the 1937 version on late-night television that I'd seen as a teen:

Norman Dies (A Star Is Born)

he will die within these waves
sunset-stripped to cloudy gray
and he will float beyond the tide
sinking to a stillness
not barren, not in need of hue

outstretched, he feels the cells divide
as the waters merge
as his salt explodes
as the ether
parts to let him live