MovieChat Forums > A Star Is Born (1954) Discussion > A Note of Appreciation for Mason

A Note of Appreciation for Mason

posted 15 years ago by IrishHeart45
22 replies | jump to latest

Everybody who watches this knows it's a Judy Garland movie. She's amazing, and has a voice like I've never heard. I'm sorry she never got a competitive Oscar, and think this was her true shining moment.

I desperately wanted to see this movie, and was thrilled when it was finally showed (in its entirety) on TCM. Judy was as wonderful as I thought she'd be, and 'Melancholy Baby' may be one of the most beautiful songs I've heard her do.

However, I wanted to write a note and say how impressed I was by James Mason's performance. I've seen him in his classics, films like 'Lolita' and 'North by Northwest,' but this is the finest performance I've ever seen by him. He's everything the character needs to be in order for the story to work. In the beginning, he's absolutely charming, and at the end he's devastating. My mother watched it with me and we were both stunned. I never expected to feel so deeply about his character, and that is a complete tribute to Mr. Mason.

I am by no means trying to deny anything to Judy Garland. She was wonderful, and just as responsible for the wonderful chemistry they had. But I wanted to write a note and say how amazing I thought he was, and how much I loved that performance. I think that if it had been another year, he definitely should have won Best Actor. He remains one of my favorites, and I think this was truly his finest hour

[–] geode 15 years ago

I actually go a bit further with James Mason, that he is at least half the reason that the film works. His great performance is what makes Judy's resonate. I admit to being won over by Mason for 50 years now, he has remained a favorite since the first time I saw him in a film as a child. I attended a Filmex showing of "Odd Man Out" many years ago. When the house lights were raised he was sitting directly behind me. He got up and went down to the stage and answered some questions. He ws very charming and his answers very perceptive.

Oh Lord, you gave them eyes but they cannot see...

[–] smdpi-mail-com 10 years ago

Envy is dripping out of every pore. You lucky thing.

[–] Isaac5855 15 years ago

You are absolutely correct...Mason is just as brilliant in this film as Garland is, but I don't think any actor had a chance of winning the Oscar that year over Brando in ON THE WATERFRONT.

[–] netshopper-2 14 years ago

This is the first film I have seen of him as a younger man and thought he was marvellous in this. I liked how he reacted to her living room performance. His voice was divine.

[–] judith-mcgee1025 14 years ago

I agree; James Mason was marvelous in "A Star is Born" and the acting interplay between him and Judy Garland is masterful.

[–] ChristmasStan 14 years ago

He was great I agree. Somehow he made Norman likeable which isn't easy but he did.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

Responding to a 9 year old post, but I was just thinking that we could probably find a dozen or two actors anonymously reciting something that isn't immediately identified with them, and maybe guess who it is.
James Mason we could definitely ID regardless what he might be saying. Guy was James Earl Jones before anyone heard of JEJ. John Houseman ? Bah !

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Maddyclassicfilms 10 years ago

It's one of Mason's best performances. His portrayal of a man who's losing control of his life is perfect.

It is my business to protect your majesty.... against all things.

[–] Professional_Tourist 10 years ago

[...] I wanted to write a note and say how impressed I was by James Mason's performance. I've seen him in his classics, films like 'Lolita' and 'North by Northwest,' but this is the finest performance I've ever seen by him.

I've been an admirer of James Mason for a great many years, and my first viewing of ASIB was to see him. I used to think this was his finest film performance until I saw him in Pandora and the Flying Dutchman which I believe is head and shoulders above even this.

[–] hobnob53 9 years ago

Years ago, when The New York Times put mini-reviews of movies in its TV listings, it said of A Star is Born, "Judy is grand, but don't overlook Mason." He was a superb actor and seldom if ever better than he was here.

Lots of actors were mentioned for the part of Norman Maine, though only a few of the people one heard about were actually considered for the role. I've always wondered how others might have fared in the part. Director George Cukor wanted Cary Grant and, according to Cukor, he ran through the script one afternoon with Grant, with Cukor reading all the other parts. Cukor always insisted that Grant gave a the best performance he had ever heard him do, but Grant at that time had quit films (temporarily as it turned out) and refused the role, which actually caused a rift between him and Cukor that never healed. Cukor though Grant turned it down because he may have thought the circumstances around Norman Maine were too close to Grant's own life at that time. He had stopped making movies because he had had several flops and was worried he was no longer in demand, so didn't want to play a character he thought too close to his real life.

[–] barrpub-115-548099 9 years ago

One big difference--Betsy Drake was no "A Star is Born."

[–] csu16387 9 years ago

Mason was superb here, and doing great work around his time. My favorite performance from him is in Bigger Than Life.

"I think we've out-sophisticated ourselves out of some of the pleasures of movies."

[–] raymajor 9 years ago

I am sorry, but (in my true opinion) A STAR IS BORN (1954) is a True James Mason movie, and barely a Judy Garland one. James Mason owned the role, as much as Fredric March gave justice to the same character. That is my sole reason why I find it devastating to take any credit away from Mason, or even put him UNDER Judy Garland. For sure, Garland's name is wise to gather popularity and tickets those days. But even acting-wise, I am sorry to say, but James Mason's compelling performance here is too top-notch, and deserves more recognition than he got.

Oh good heavens, thank you for putting my heart into words IrishHeart45. This bitter fact has been making me sad for years. I even rejected watching this movie for 7 years solely because of the lack of recognition Mason has.

Now I am a real big fan of Brando's On The Waterfront performance. I even watched On The Waterfront before A Star Is Born. I was very convinced that Brando deserved his Oscar Win. But goodness, I choked on my words when I saw James Mason's performance here. It is too heartfelt-- to much for acting's sake along. It's just like a part of him was truly torn. Oh, he deserved the Oscar all right. Now even though my love for Brando is immense, for objectiveness and justice's sake, yes, James Mason should have won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

[–] Gubbio 9 years ago

I am sorry, but (in my true opinion) A STAR IS BORN (1954) is a True James Mason movie, and barely a Judy Garland one.

That is my sole reason why I find it devastating to take any credit away from Mason, or even put him UNDER Judy Garland. For sure, Garland's name is wise to gather popularity and tickets those days.

I have no quarrel with your opinion of Mason's work in this film. In fact, I agree he was terrific.

But to assuage your angst, perhaps you should look into the history of the production.

This movie was produced by Garland and her then husband, Sid Luft, in cooperation with Warner Bros. It was "supposed" to be Garland's triumphant return to films, after a four year absence. It was her film, from beginning to end.

There was no question of billing Garland over Mason because of her "star power." It was her film. Everyone knew that at the time. This, in no way, diminishes Mason's contribution.