Post by Michael on Nov 8, 2021 18:33:59 GMT
Probably the uncut print of "A Star is Born" (1954) starring James Mason and Judy Garland. There have been rumors about an uncut print, and it's definitely a possibility. A thought to be lost musical number was seized by the FBI during the 1980's restoration of the film by Ron Haver, but I don't know anymore. I certainly hope that it still exists but a lot of things would've had to have taken place (the proper storage of the print to keep it from fading for one) for this to happen and the stars would have to align and then the the alleged collector would have to turn over the print assuming he has it in the first place.
Ron Haver wrote a book after restoring the film, chronicling the production issues that occured, what all was cut, and his mindset prior to getting access to search the Warner Bros archive, during the search,(an inevitable Holy Grail comparison is eventually made) and after he unspooled the last bit of film he could find labeled A Star is Born within the archive. Near the end of the book he seems to suggest that the lost segments were melted down for the silver content; I almost became physically ill. I had just watched it with my partner and he loved and I thought it was damn near an all-timer if it weren't for the jarring, but needed, film still sequences. If the missing scenes were re-instated I would argue that it's every bit as good as the movie Judy Garland's most known for (Wizard of Oz). However, as it stands, the movie is just a few scenes short of a masterpiece and it's a damn shame.
Ron Haver wrote a book after restoring the film, chronicling the production issues that occured, what all was cut, and his mindset prior to getting access to search the Warner Bros archive, during the search,(an inevitable Holy Grail comparison is eventually made) and after he unspooled the last bit of film he could find labeled A Star is Born within the archive. Near the end of the book he seems to suggest that the lost segments were melted down for the silver content; I almost became physically ill. I had just watched it with my partner and he loved and I thought it was damn near an all-timer if it weren't for the jarring, but needed, film still sequences. If the missing scenes were re-instated I would argue that it's every bit as good as the movie Judy Garland's most known for (Wizard of Oz). However, as it stands, the movie is just a few scenes short of a masterpiece and it's a damn shame.
