A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born

Year: 1937

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Directors: William A. Wellman, Jack Conway

drama

A young aspiring actress, Janet Hayes, arrives in Hollywood and finds an unlikely mentor in Norman Maine, a celebrated performer facing his own professional and personal struggles. As Janet’s career ascends to new heights, Norman’s begins to falter, leading to a poignant examination of love, ambition, and the sacrifices demanded by fame. Their intertwined journeys explore the complexities of Hollywood and the challenges of navigating success and decline.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – A Star Is Born (1937)

Trace every key event in A Star Is Born (1937) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Esther's Dream

Farm girl Esther Victoria Blodgett dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress despite facing skepticism from her aunt and father. Encouraged by her grandmother, Esther receives her savings to pursue her ambitions in the film industry.

2

Arrival in Hollywood

Esther arrives in Hollywood, filled with hope, but soon learns that landing a job is more complicated than expected. The casting agency informs her that they have stopped accepting applications due to the overwhelming number of hopefuls.

Hollywood
3

Meeting Danny

While residing at a boarding house, Esther befriends Danny McGuire, an assistant director who is also struggling to find work. Their friendship blooms as they both navigate the challenges of Hollywood's entertainment industry.

4

First Encounter with Norman

At a concert celebrating Danny’s temporary employment, Esther meets the famous actor Norman Maine, whose career is in decline due to alcoholism. This meeting leaves a significant impact on Esther, as she greatly admires him.

5

First Job Opportunity

Danny manages to secure Esther a one-time job as a waitress at a lavish Hollywood party. During the event, she captures Norman's attention, which puts her one step closer to her dreams.

Hollywood Party
6

The Screen Test

The day following the party, Norman impresses upon his producer, Oliver Niles, the importance of giving Esther a screen test. After seeing her potential, Oliver offers her a contract under the stage name 'Vicki Lester.'

7

Rise to Stardom

As Norman advocates for Esther to be cast in his film 'The Enchanted Hour', her performance propels her to stardom overnight. This rise in popularity occurs even as Norman's own career begins to falter further.

8

Engagement and Elopement

Norman proposes to Esther, who agrees to marry him on the condition that he gives up drinking. They elope quietly, much to the displeasure of their press agent, and enjoy a secluded honeymoon in the mountains.

Mountains
9

Norman's Decline

Although Norman attempts sobriety, he ultimately succumbs to his demons as Esther's fame continues to rise. Feeling overshadowed, he struggles with jealousy and frustration about his fading stardom.

10

Award Night Betrayal

During Esther's acceptance speech at the Academy Awards, an intoxicated Norman disrupts the ceremony, demanding recognition for subpar performances. This public incident culminates in him accidentally striking Esther while acting out.

Academy Awards
11

Sanatorium Stay

In an attempt to overcome his alcoholism, Norman checks into a sanatorium where he appears to recover temporarily. However, a confrontation with his press agent leads him back into the grips of addiction.

Sanatorium
12

Legal Troubles

Following a drunken binge, Norman is arrested for drunk driving and sentenced to 90 days in jail. Esther pleads with the judge to place him under her care instead, highlighting her determination to help him.

Court
13

Sacrifice for Love

Esther decides to give up her career to focus on Norman's rehabilitation. This choice stems from her deep love and commitment to helping him, showcasing the emotional toll their relationship takes on her.

14

Tragic Goodbye

Overhearing Esther's plans to sacrifice her career for him devastates Norman, leading him to drown his sorrows in the ocean. His tragic decision leaves Esther shattered and reeling from the loss.

Pacific Ocean
15

A New Beginning

With encouragement from her grandmother and the memory of Norman's love, Esther decides to continue her career in Hollywood. At the premiere of her next film, she proudly announces her identity as 'Mrs. Norman Maine' to her fans.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Tragic romances with fame and decline like in A Star Is Born

Where the ascent of one love story is mirrored by another's heartbreaking descent.Discover movies like A Star Is Born where intense, star-crossed romances unfold under the pressures of fame. This thread gathers similar bittersweet dramas that explore the heartbreak of a relationship caught between one partner's ascension and the other's decline.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a dual character arc: one character experiences a meteoric rise to success, while their partner or mentor spirals due to personal demons like addiction, mental health struggles, or the inability to cope with fading fame. The plot structure is often a steady, linear progression charting these two opposing trajectories, culminating in a tragic but poignant resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped for their shared bittersweet tone and their exploration of the 'price of fame' trope through a romantic lens. They consistently deliver a medium-to-heavy emotional weight, driven by the inevitability of the central tragedy and the melancholic mood that hangs over the characters' intertwined fates.

Bittersweet Hollywood dramas like A Star Is Born

Stories that peel back the glamour to reveal the personal costs of fame.If you liked the insider's view of fame in A Star Is Born, explore this collection of movies about the bittersweet nature of success in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. These films depict the gritty reality behind the glamour, focusing on themes of ambition, addiction, and personal sacrifice.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an insider's perspective on a glamorous but cutthroat industry, often following an ambitious newcomer mentored by a jaded veteran. The plot exposes the systemic pressures, personal compromises, and psychological toll of pursuing and maintaining fame, frequently leading to a sobering conclusion that questions the very nature of success.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific mood—a blend of hopeful aspiration and gritty nostalgia, undercut by a melancholic awareness of the industry's dark side. They are united by their setting, their thematic focus on the duality of fame, and their steady, reflective pacing that allows for a deep character study.

Unlock the Full Story of A Star Is Born

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Star Is Born in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Star Is Born is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Star Is Born Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Star Is Born, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Star Is Born Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Star Is Born

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A Star Is Born. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Star Is Born Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Star Is Born

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