Okay, so you've belted out "Shallow" in your car, pretended to play guitar during "Maybe It's Time," and maybe even shed a tear (or ten) at the end of A Star Is Born. But have you ever wondered... where did this whole story actually come from?
The OG Star Saga
Buckle up, buttercup, because there isn't just ONE answer! The first A Star Is Born movie hit the silver screen all the way back in 1937. That's practically dinosaur times in Hollywood years!
This original version starred Janet Gaynor as Esther Blodgett, an aspiring actress, and Fredric March as Norman Maine, a fading movie star battling… well, a lot of demons. Sound familiar?
Think of it like this: they took the basic ingredients of talent, ambition, fame, and a dash of self-destruction, and whipped up the first version of the recipe. But it wasn't their own recipe!
The Inspiration Well
The 1937 film borrowed heavily from a 1932 movie called What Price Hollywood?. See, the seeds were planted even earlier! It's basically the great-grandpappy of all the Star Is Born iterations.
That movie featured Constance Bennett as Mary Evans, a waitress who becomes a movie star, and Lowell Sherman as… you guessed it, a director with a drinking problem. The similarities are definitely there, and not exactly subtle.
So, is A Star Is Born based on What Price Hollywood? indirectly, yeah. It's like saying your grandma's apple pie recipe is "based on" an apple pie recipe from a cookbook. It's all connected in the great pie-making (or movie-making) lineage!
Not-So-Hidden Clues: Real Life Drama
Here's where things get juicy. Many believe the story was also inspired by the real-life struggles of some Hollywood heavyweights. This is where it gets a little bit of "is it fact or fiction?"
Some people suggest that the character of Norman Maine was inspired by actors like John Barrymore, whose career was plagued by alcoholism and decline. Imagine the drama!
Think of it as taking little bits and pieces from real-life stories and blending them into a fictional narrative. It's like making a smoothie - you throw in some spinach (real-life struggles), some berries (glamour), and a banana (a tragic romance) and blend it all together!
The Remakes: A Lineage of Stardom
Now, let's fast forward. We've got the 1954 musical version starring Judy Garland. Then, the 1976 rock version with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. And finally, the 2018 smash hit with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
Each of these movies keeps the core elements, but updates the setting and music to reflect the times. It's like taking a classic song and doing a modern cover version!
So, the 2018 A Star Is Born is based on the 1976 version, which is based on the 1954 version, which is based on the 1937 version, which is based on *What Price Hollywood?* and possibly a handful of tragic celebrity stories. It's a family tree of fame and heartbreak!
Ultimately, A Star Is Born isn’t based on one specific person or event. It's a collection of ideas, influences, and timeless themes about fame, love, and the price of success. It's a classic story that continues to resonate with audiences because it's about something real!
