This stunning 8k scan of the fullest surviving version of A Star is Born (1954) is really gorgeous, and unlike titles like The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, North by Northwest, and Doctor Zhivago, it isn't generally considered one of the still-shining crown jewels in the WB library. This treatment makes a compelling case to remember it exists and give it a look.
It's a classic from its time, maybe, or possibly among the filmography of Judy Garland. It's no Singin in the Rain in terms of modern appreciation, for sure, but it's good that WB gave it this kind of attention. I was beyond a huge deal at the time, and the premiere was, at the time, the biggest social event in Hollywood history. The movie also marked Garland's big comeback after years of career tailspin, personal strife, and substance abuse. The Blu-ray hit the street back on the 22nd of June, and it's one of the best vintage reference transfers of the year.
The "thickbook" style case is in the same style as Doctor Zhivago before it, and like Zhivago, the supplements disc is a DVD. There's a ton of stuff in there for die-hard Judy Garland fans, but I particularly loved that they plugged in the A Star is Bored Looney Tunes short. The built-in book is full of handsome photos and contextually-rich content. There's a fair amount of deleted, alternate take, and outtake footage, and a pile of stuff from the premiere. A big chunk of audio content is included as well, specifically rehearsal and recording session takes. Rounding things out are trailers for all three versions of A Star is Born: the 1937 original, the 1954 one contained here, and the 1976 second remake. It made me wish they'd just thrown in the '37 one with the gorgeous Janet Gaynor and personal favorite Andy Devine as well as the radically different Kristofferson/Streisand one.
If you only want to see it in HD but don't want to deal with buying or renting the discs somehow, WB also made A Star is Born available via Amazon VOD. I doubt that the bitrate is remotely as high as the Blu-ray, but that may just cut your mustard.
Amazon has the Blu-ray at a staggering $31.49, compared to $18.99 for the DVD.