I watched the 1954 version with Judy Garland and James Mason. The 2018 version was my favorite movie of 2018.
The 1954 version is a beautiful film but one cannot watch it without thinking how the film mirrored the life of Judy Garland in more ways than one. Judy Garland's life was a compilation of both the main characters.
Her career was similar to Vicki Lester as the studio was concerned about her looks, which contributed a lot to her low self image. Even the musical numbers of Vicki Lester mirrored Judy Garland who brought vaudeville back to popularity.
The pressures of stardom took their toll on Judy as she her life mirror Norman Maine in that she was both an alcoholic and drug addict, which lead to her death at 47. Judy Garland was also suicidal and had a number of failed attempts.
The 1954 version of A Star is Born is considered one of the milestone musicals in the history of film in the United States.