Forty years ago, one of the controversial remakes of all time was released. After the kind of publicity during production that might drown out most films, the retooled A Star Is Born—the story of star-crossed show-biz lovers, with a take on gender roles that still feels current—starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson hit theaters. Streisand plays Esther, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who’s spotted by the flamboyantly self-destructive—and equally talented—pop star John Norman Howard (Kristofferson), who falls head-over-heels for her. Few films of the era got more attention than director Frank Pierson’s, working with a team of screenwriters and publicly battling with Streisand and her producing partner and mate, the legendarily pugnacious Jon Peters. The cast of the robustly realized version of an all-eyes-on-me fall from grace also included Gary Busey, Paul Mazursky as well as real-life back-up singers Clydie King and Venetta Fields, who were cast as Streisand’s back-up singers in the film. Despite the blows it took from the media—even co-screenwriter John Gregory Dunne (working with his wife, Joan Didion) wrote a pre-emptory piece about the making of the film to protect himself—A Star Is Born was not only a one-of-a-kind hit, but won a Best Song Oscar® for “Evergreen,” written by Streisand and Paul Williams. The film will be screened in 35mm format.

1976, 140 min, color | Written by John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion, Frank Pierson, based on a 1937 story by William A. Wellman and Robert Carson; directed by Frank Pierson; with Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Mazursky, Gary Busey, Clydie King, Venetta Fields

Ticketing Information

$5 for Film Independent, LACMA Film Club, and the New York Times Film Club members. Members of these three groups can purchase tickets starting at 12 pm on Thursday, June 16. Limit two tickets per membership. Proof of member status is required to reserve tickets during advance reservation period.

$7 for LACMA members, students with valid ID and seniors (65+); $10 for the general public. Members of these four groups can purchase tickets starting at 12 pm on Thursday, June 23. Two ticket limit.

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-reserved tickets for this event can be picked up at LACMA’s Ticket Office, located in the Hammer Building, on the day of the event—as early as 11 am. Tickets are for general, unreserved Bing Theater seating. Ticketed guests must be in their Bing Theater seat 15 minutes prior to the advertised start time or seat(s) may be released. Reservations do not guarantee entry, even with a ticket in hand. Entry is first come, first served, so please arrive early. Program and guest participation subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Tickets are nontransferable and can only be picked up by the individual who purchased or reserved them.