Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 classic film version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, a riveting, juicy exploration of the history and popularity of Hollywood’s favorite story about itself, from its 1937 technicolor drama starring Janet Gaynor and the 1954 version with Judy Garland, through 2018’s blockbuster Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper remake.

A Star is Born is one of the most popular entertainment legends of all time—the story of a fading male star who falls in love with an ingénue whose fame quickly eclipses his own. It’s been a showcase for some of the most talented female artists of their time—Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Lady Gaga—yet it is also a fascinating rumination on the nature of fame and the fragility of the male ego.

Now, Robert Hofler offers a riveting behind-the-scenes journey through the movie’s history, starting with 1932’s What Price Hollywood?, based on the rocky real-life Hollywood marriage of silent movie star Colleen Moore and producer John McCormick. That storyline was reworked by producer David O. Selznick into 1937’s A Star is Born, starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March in the first of four versions.

From Cary Grant’s refusal to star opposite Judy Garland due to her substance abuse (a problem that would cause the 1954 musical to go wildly over-schedule) to attempts to woo Elvis Presley to star in the 1976 blockbuster that eventually paired Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, How a Star is Reborn delves into the juicy tales behind the scenes. Hofler also traces the evolution of the story itself, as successive versions pivoted away from Hollywood and towards the world of rock music, culminating in 2018’s wildly successful Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga remake.

Captivating and superbly researched, How a Star is Reborn combines shrewd insights, little-known details, and Hofler’s storytelling flair in this must-read for every fan of modern cinema.