Janet Gaynor
Esther Blodgett / Vicki Lester
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Esther Blodgett is just another starry-eyed farm kid trying to break into the movies. Waitressing at a Hollywood party, she catches the eye of her idol Norman Maine, is sent for a screen test, and before long attains stardom as newly minted Vicki Lester. She and Norman marry, though his career soon dwindles to nothing due to his chronic alcoholism.
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| Release Date | 1937-04-27 |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 1h 51m |
| Directors | William A. Wellman, W. Howard Greene, Eric Stacey, Edward G. Boyle |
| Producer | David O. Selznick |
| Writers | William A. Wellman, Robert Carson, Dorothy Parker, Robert Carson, Alan Campbell, Ben Hecht, David O. Selznick |
Janet Gaynor was at the top of her game with the almost Dickens' inspired name "Esther Blodgett" - an aspiring actress who moves to Hollywood and happens upon a drunken, self-destructive "Norman Maine" (Fredric March) as she waitresses at a party. His star is definitely on the wain, but he sees something in her and before long she is topping the bill. No singing in this version, which I think makes it a grittier adaptation of the story. Oddly enough, I find that the colour is quite distracting - it would have looked much better in black and white. That said, the dialogue is sharp and the pace likewise and it's an enjoyable watch.
— CinemaSerf