Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
Reference View | Change View
- R
- 2h 24min
- Biography, Drama
- 12 Oct 1972 (USA)
- Movie
The story of the troubled life and career of the legendary Jazz singer, Billie Holiday.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Diana Ross | ... |
Billie Holiday
|
|
| Billy Dee Williams | ... |
Louis McKay
|
|
| Richard Pryor | ... |
Piano Man
|
|
| James T. Callahan | ... |
Reg Hanley
(as James Callahan)
|
|
| Paul Hampton | ... |
Harry
|
|
| Sid Melton | ... |
Jerry
|
|
| Virginia Capers | ... |
Mama Holiday
|
|
 |
Yvonne Fair | ... |
Yvonne
|
| Isabel Sanford | ... |
The Madame
|
|
|
|
Tracee Lyles | ... |
The Prostitute
|
| Ned Glass | ... |
The Agent
|
|
| Milton Selzer | ... |
The Doctor
|
|
| Norman Bartold | ... |
The Detective #1
|
|
|
|
Clay Tanner | ... |
The Detective #2
|
| Jester Hairston | ... |
The Butler
|
|
| Bert Kramer | ... |
The Policeman
|
|
|
|
Paul Micale | ... |
The Maitre d'
|
|
|
Mavis | ... |
The Singer
(as Michele Aller)
|
| Byron Kane | ... |
The Announcer
|
|
|
|
Barbara Minkus | ... |
Radio Actress
|
| Kay Lewis | ... |
Angela DeMarco
|
|
|
|
Helen Lewis | ... |
Debbie McGee
|
| George Wyner | ... |
The M.C.
|
|
|
|
Shirley Melline | ... |
The Policewoman
|
|
|
Toby Russ | ... |
The Jail Guard
|
| Larry Duran | ... |
Hood #1
|
|
| Ernest Robinson | ... |
Hood #2
(as Ernie Robinson)
|
|
|
|
Don McGovern | ... |
Reporter #1
|
| Dick Poston | ... |
Reporter #2
|
|
|
|
Charles Woolf | ... |
Reporter #3
|
|
|
Denise Denise | ... |
Denise
|
| Lynn Hamilton | ... |
Aunt Ida
|
|
|
|
Victor Morosco | ... |
Vic
|
|
|
Robert L. Gordy | ... |
The Hawk
|
| Harry Caesar | ... |
The Rapist
|
|
| Paulene Myers | ... |
Mrs. Edson
|
|
| Scatman Crothers | ... |
Big Ben
|
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Gary Bohn | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
|
| Darlene Conley | ... |
(uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Tony Dante | ... |
Recording Engineer (uncredited)
|
|
|
Charles Drubin | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
|
|
|
George Golden | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
|
| Bob Harks | ... |
Theatre Patron (uncredited)
|
|
| Jayne Kennedy | ... |
Louis's Date (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Richard LaMarr | ... |
Concert Spectator (uncredited)
|
|
|
Tony Regan | ... |
Recording Engineer (uncredited)
|
|
|
Bill Scully | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
|
| Eddie Smith | ... |
Dean and Dean's waiter (uncredited)
|
|
| Norman Stevans | ... |
Concert Spectator (uncredited)
|
|
| Toni Vaz | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
|
|
Directed by
| Sidney J. Furie | ||
Written by
| Chris Clark | ... | (screenplay) |
| Suzanne De Passe | ... | (screenplay) (as Suzanne de Passe) |
| William Dufty | ... | (book) |
| Billie Holiday | ... | (book) |
| Terence McCloy | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Brad Dexter | ... | producer |
| Berry Gordy | ... | executive producer |
| Eddie Saeta | ... | associate producer |
| Jay Weston | ... | producer |
| James S. White | ... | producer |
Music by
| Michel Legrand | ||
Cinematography by
| John A. Alonzo | ... | director of photography (as John Alonzo) |
Editing by
| Argyle Nelson Jr. | ... | (as Argyle Nelson) |
Editorial Department
| Roberta Adye | ... | associate editor |
| Paul LaMastra | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Joe Scully | ||
Production Design by
| Carl Anderson | ||
Set Decoration by
| Reg Allen | ||
Costume Design by
| Ray Aghayan | ||
| Norma Koch | ||
| Bob Mackie | ||
Makeup Department
| Cherie | ... | hair stylist |
| Don Schoenfeld | ... | makeup supervisor |
Production Management
| Millie Moore | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Eddie Saeta | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Charles Washburn | ... | assistant director |
| Irby Smith | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Gene Lauritzen | ... | construction coordinator |
| Bill Gold | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
| Carey Harris Jr. | ... | swing gang (uncredited) |
| Bill Hudson | ... | greensman (uncredited) |
| Jack Iannarelli | ... | props (uncredited) |
| John La Salandra | ... | construction supervisor (uncredited) |
| Maurice Larson | ... | painter (uncredited) |
| Richard M. Rubin | ... | props (uncredited) |
| Fred R. Simpson Jr. | ... | leadman (uncredited) |
| Rick Simpson | ... | leadman (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| David Dockendorf | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Bill Ford | ... | sound mixer |
| Marvin E. Lewis | ... | cable person (uncredited) |
| Don Merritt | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Henry Millar | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Ernest Robinson | ... | stunt coordinator / stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Richard Hart | ... | gaffer |
| Harry Rez | ... | best boy |
| Kenneth Adams | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Sherman Fulton | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Randy Glass | ... | best boy (uncredited) |
| Elisha Harris | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| LeRoy Lydia | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Sal Orefice | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Arnold L. Rich | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Tom Sawyer | ... | dolly operator (uncredited) |
| Thomas Scott | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Orlando Suero | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Joseph M. Wilcots | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Eddie Willis | ... | grip (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Bob Cochran | ... | extras casting (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Elizabeth Courtney | ... | costumes executed by |
| Norma Koch | ... | costumes |
| Frank Somper | ... | furs |
| Pauline Campbell | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
| Kent James | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
| Cliff Langer | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
| Edna Taylor | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
| Joe Williams | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Gil Askey | ... | music supervisor |
| Ralph James Hall | ... | music editor / re-cut version |
| Ben Barrett | ... | music contractor (uncredited) |
| John Collins | ... | musician: guitar (uncredited) |
| June Edgerton | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
| Harry Edison | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
Transportation Department
| Gene Clinesmith | ... | transportation |
| George Alden | ... | mechanic (uncredited) |
| Edward Baken | ... | driver (uncredited) |
| James D. Brubaker | ... | transportation captain (uncredited) |
| Edward Charles | ... | driver (uncredited) |
| Dale Henry | ... | assistant transportation (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Janet Hubbard | ... | researcher |
| Louis McKay | ... | technical advisor |
| Lawrence Schiller | ... | montages / title designer |
| Judy St. Gerard | ... | creative consultant |
| Michael Cooksey | ... | craft service (uncredited) |
| Stephen J. Fisher | ... | auditor (uncredited) |
| Terence McCloy | ... | dialogue coach (uncredited) |
| Steven P. Saeta | ... | assistant auditor (uncredited) |
| William Smith | ... | auditor (uncredited) |
| Vincent Tubbs | ... | unit publicist (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Jobete Productions
- Motown Productions
- Paramount Pictures
- Sidney J. Furie Productions
- Weston Productions
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1972) (United States) (theatrical)
- Paramount British Pictures (1972) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Nova Film (1973) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1973) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Greece) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1973) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1980) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- TV3 (1988) (Finland) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- The Mark Baron Company (agency publicity)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Born Elinore Harris, Billie Holiday had a difficult teen and young adulthood period, which included working in brothels, both as a cleaning woman and a prostitute, and being raped. Through this difficulty, she dreamed of becoming a jazz singer. She got her initial singing break when she applied at a Harlem club that was looking for a dancer, but where she got hired as a singer. There, she met and fell in love with the suave Louis McKay. After this initial break, Billie wanted her singing career to move to the mainstream clubs in downtown Manhattan. She took a risk when she agreed to be the lead singer for the Reg Hanley Band, a primarily white group, who convinced her that she would have to make her mark in regional tours before her Manhattan dream could happen. As Billie tried to advance her career, pressures of life, including being a black woman, led to her not so secret substance abuse (especially of heroin), not so secret because of her increasingly erratic behavior, both on stage and off. As those around her, including Louis, worked to support Billie emotionally to get off drugs, Billie faced other issues, such as open narcotic use being a criminal offense, which in combination with the effects of the heroin use itself could be Billie's downfall despite her singing talent. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Diana Ross IS Billie Holiday See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | According to Diana Ross, Richard Pryor instructed her on how to behave during the scenes of drug use. See more » |
| Goofs | Some of the African-American male characters and extras sport modern (1972) hair styles with Afros or sideburns which were not in style in the 1930s. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Lady Sings the Blues (Featurette) (1972). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Tain't Nobody's Business See more » |
| Quotes |
Billie Holiday:
[after Louis discovers that Billie shoots up]
Sure I've taken a few shots, but only when I needed it, [Louis sighs] Billie Holiday: but i'm not hooked, Louis. I'm not. Louis McKay: Only when you needed it. What do you think hooked is? All I had to do is listen to your voice on the telephone and I knew. Who the hell do you think you're talking to? One of those ofay cats you be running around with? I've been on those streets all of my life. I know what that shit is! Billie Holiday: It's good, ain't it? [Louis then gets up and takes her suitcase and starts packing her stuff] Billie Holiday: Wait, Wait, Baby! Oh, no. Louis McKay: We're going home. Now! Billie Holiday: [Stopping him] Wait, hey, baby, wait. See, you don't understand. Now, you don't know how it is when people are looking down at you and laughing at you and think that I'm a loser. And if I go home now, I'll think that I'm one, too. I gotta prove it to them. I gotta prove it to myself. Louis McKay: What're you proving with that needle? That you're not woman enough to make it without a crutch? A magic way out when the going gets a little too rough? I want you to make it, too, baby. But not this way. Not this way. See more » |