A STAR IS BORN —-Hollywood Giveth, and Hollywood Taketh Away, in the first of three versions (so far) of selfless, rising star ‘Esther Blodgett’ (Janet Gaynor) and self-lost, falling star ‘Norman Maine’ (Fredric March).

Glossy $1,200,000 production values, courtesy of David O.Selznick, with some peachy-keen views into 30s moviemaking, backed by a syrupy Max Steiner score.  Gaynor is fine as the hopeful actress, but it’s the excellent work from March as her alcoholic counterpart that will keep you watching. While the 1937 trappings have dated, his acting holds up remarkably well, almost as good as James Mason’s bravura 1954 turn, and far superior to Kris Kristofferson’s 1976 shot.

Directed by William A. Wellman, who’d conceived the idea based on the real-life dramas of people he’d known in the business. Three teams of writers worked on it; Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell and Robert Carson received credit. John Lee Mahin wrote the final scene. Budd Schulberg and Ring Lardner Jr. did some ‘trouble shooting, and there were contributions from Ben Hecht and Adela Rodgers St. Johns. Among those who were used as models for the self-destructive characters were John Barrymore, Frank Fay (married to Barbara Stanwyck), John Bowers and John Gilbert. The model for the Lester-Maine marriage was that of Fay & Stanwyck: she divorced him in 1935 after seven years of dealing with his insanity.

The 111 minute result was awarded an Oscar for Story and a ‘special’ one for its color cinematography, which was the first use of 3-strip Technicolor in a contemporary setting.  Nominations came for Best Picture, Actor (March), Actress (Gaynor), Director, Screenplay and Assistant Director (Eric Stacey).  Receipts: a $4,400,000 take tallied 30th for the year.

Wellman ensured cameraman W. Howard Greene made ample use of Hollywood landmarks, including Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Trocadero nightclub, Biltmore hotel, the Hollywood Bowl, Brown Derby restaurant, plus Malibu, the Santa Anita racetrack and Beverly Hills.

Others in the cast: Adolph Menjou, Lionel Stander, Andy Devine, May Robson, Owen Moore, Franklin Pangborn, Edgar Kennedy and Guinn Williams.