Parents' Guide to

A Star Is Born (1954)

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Award-winning musical tragedy with alcoholism at its core.

Movie PG 1954 176 minutes
A Star Is Born (1954) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 15+

Based on 2 parent reviews

dneese
dneese Adult
September 7, 2020
age 15+

#1 of 4

I have seen all four iterations of this story. In my opinion, this is the best version even though it is the second making. The chemistry between the two leads is believable and their story is more plausible than the original. Garland does the best job of any version at portraying how painful and difficult it is to love an addict. It is a tragic story of alcohol abuse that ends with suicide, which are mature themes for kids. It's a good '50s musical and Garland is fantastic in this film, but you should know the premise before watching with kids.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
MommaOfTwoo
MommaOfTwoo Parent of 0 and 1-year-old
November 20, 2012
age 14+

Star Power

A wonderful musical story with a harsh look at alcoholism.... Judy Garland is a true star in this movie! While it is a bit long, anyone with an appreciation for a good musical will enjoy it.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In A STAR IS BORN, a talented young band singer (Judy Garland) is discovered by a major movie star (James Mason) who is also an alcoholic. Though they fall love and share idyllic moments together, he cannot maintain control over his alcoholism and its related bad behavior. Her singing and acting career soars as he falters and tragically self-destructs. This well-known and much-loved film is a remake of the Janet Gaynor-Frederic March 1937 drama of the same name, which was remade again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. This 1954 version nominated for six Academy Awards (including Best Actor and Best Actress), which marked Judy Garland's triumphant return to the screen after her own difficulties with substance abuse and fragility, is the iconic version of the familiar story.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

Though acting styles and depictions of alcoholism have greatly changed since this melodrama was made, this musical drama set in the early 1950s remains a vibrant and moving film. A Star Is Born captures the true essence of Judy Garland's showmanship, vulnerability, and musical gifts. Some original songs, including Judy's show-stopping delivery of "The Man That Got Away," are introduced alongside a wonderful selection of American Songbook standards.

It's long, just minutes short of three hours, but for a one-stop intro to the magic that was Judy Garland as an adult icon and for dazzling musical production numbers, this is the movie to see.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the differences in treatment for alcoholism in 1954 and today. Do you think Alcoholics Anonymous, Al Anon, or other programs would have helped Norman and Esther? Are you aware of the resources in your community for substance abusers and/or their families?

  • Think about how the art of acting has changed over the years since A Star Is Born was made. What are some of the most obvious differences between Academy Award-nominated performances then and now?

  • What motivated Norman Maine's final decision? How might he have resolved his dilemma in a different way?

Movie Details

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