A Star is Born

The astounding, whirlwind rise of Esther Blodgett (Janet Gaynor), a farm girl with dreams of making it big in Hollywood is chronicled in this Selznick International classic. Just off the train, Esther's first stop in Tinseltown is to Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where she prophetically steps into the shoe prints of matinee idol Norman Maine (Fredric March). While working a waitress job at a fancy celebrity party, she unexpectedly runs into the legendary Maine, who proceeds to charm her, while carelessly indulging himself with booze. Truly smitten, he persuades production head Oliver Niles (Adolphe Menjou) to give her a screen test, and soon Esther is cast in a lead role paired with Maine - followed by their marriage! An overnight sensation, Esther is transformed into Vicki Lester. As her box-office appeal rises, Maine's popularity declines and his alcohol abuse escalates.

The original Technicolor masterpiece about fame's superficiality and the triumph of love earned Wellman and Robert Carson Academy Awards. A Star Is Born would inspire two musical remakes over the next four decades: the equally hallowed 1954 version starring Judy Garland and James Mason, and the 1976 update with Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

• drama