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The Star

Play trailer Poster for The Star Released Dec 11, 1952 1h 29m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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25% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Oscar-winning actress Margaret Elliot (Bette Davis) is well past her prime but refuses to retire from the acting business. Despite entreaties from both her daughter, Gretchen (Natalie Wood), and one-time professional colleague Jim Johannsen (Sterling Hayden), Margaret remains convinced that she can regain her former glory. As she sets her sights on a coveted Hollywood role, Johannsen tries doggedly to get his unrequited love to see the folly of her ways.
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The Star

Critics Reviews

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James Morgan Sight & Sound It is well worth seeing not only for what it might have been but for the star; this actress of wonderful temperament and precision creates a vivid, genuine figure, alternately pathetic and exasperating, gay and decrepit, vain, impossible and defenceless. Aug 31, 2020 Full Review Bob Thomas Associated Press The Star is a wonderful tour de force for Bette Davis. Jul 24, 2019 Full Review Dan Callahan Slant Magazine A threadbare, bargain-basement Sunset Boulevard. Rated: 2/4 Jun 7, 2005 Full Review Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder This serving of superlative dramatic film com will be received with gasps of admiration from the legion of Davis fans although there certainly isn't much else worthy of mention when Miss isn't switching her torso around before the camera. Dec 16, 2021 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Bette Davis received her ninth Oscar nomiation for this formulatic melodrama about a fading, alcoholic movie star, saved by the help of a young actor (Sterling Hayden). Rated: C Aug 9, 2010 Full Review Walter Chaw Film Freak Central Nearly washed-up Davis essaying completely washed-up Davis. Rated: 1/4 Jul 25, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Julian S It has the feel of a quasi-sequel to ALL ABOUT EVE and perhaps would have been more successful if it had been. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/18/24 Full Review Scott W Great cast ! Always like Bette Davis after ; All About Eve. She's very good here also Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/23/21 Full Review steve d There is not much to it, and the acting is just ok. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Great cast. Always liked Bette Davis after the movie; All About Eve . She's very good here also Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Nadya R I just can't buy a weak, needy Bette Davis crying on any man's shoulder. "I don't know what to do, PLEASE tell me what to do!" That lady stood up to bankers, producers, studio heads. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/27/20 Full Review Audience Member Bette Davis on the steep down slide in an unmitigated pile. They scraped the bottom for this one. Pure B movie trash. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Star

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Cast & Crew

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Stuart Heisler

Director

Bette Davis

Margaret Elliot

Sterling Hayden

Jim Johannsen

Natalie Wood

Gretchen

Warner Anderson

Harry Stone

Minor Watson

Joe Morrison

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The Star

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Movie Info

Synopsis Oscar-winning actress Margaret Elliot (Bette Davis) is well past her prime but refuses to retire from the acting business. Despite entreaties from both her daughter, Gretchen (Natalie Wood), and one-time professional colleague Jim Johannsen (Sterling Hayden), Margaret remains convinced that she can regain her former glory. As she sets her sights on a coveted Hollywood role, Johannsen tries doggedly to get his unrequited love to see the folly of her ways.
Director
Stuart Heisler
Producer
Bert E. Friedlob
Screenwriter
Dale Eunson, Katherine Albert
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Bert E. Friedlob Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 11, 1952, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 29m
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