There is no question that the 1954 version of A Star is Born holds a special place in the pantheon of classic movies. It was director George Cukor's first foray into musicals, his first colour film, and it was without a doubt Judy Garland's greatest screen performance. With incredible detail, Haver gives us the gripping story of its making and marketing, the myriad technical problems, the clashes of personalities, and the shocking ups and downs of the film's star. And here, finally, is the author's own mission to restore the film to its original length and glory in 1983.