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Lady Sings the Blues

Lady Sings the Blues

Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a superstar is born.

19726.92h 24m

Overview

Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.

Directed by Sidney J. Furie
Written by William Dufty, Terence McCloy, Billie Holiday
Produced by Jay Weston, Brad Dexter, James S. White
Box OfficeBudget: $2.0MRevenue: $19.7M

Top Cast

Diana Ross

Diana Ross

Billie Holiday

Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams

Louis McKay

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Piano Man

James T. Callahan

James T. Callahan

Reg Hanley

Paul Hampton

Paul Hampton

Harry

Sid Melton

Sid Melton

Jerry

Virginia Capers

Virginia Capers

Mama Holiday

Yvonne Fair

Yvonne Fair

Yvonne

Isabel Sanford

Isabel Sanford

The Madame

T

Tracee Lyles

The Prostitute

Themes & Keywords

new york citybrotheljazz singer or musicianmental breakdownbiographyaddictionrape victimtour busracismbased on memoir or autobiographyperiod dramadrug overdosemusic historylynchingdying youngblack singerwithdrawalheroin addictnightclub singerblues musicbillie holidayharlem, new york citycarnegie hallrise to famewayward girldeath of a musicianmusic tour1940ssomber1930sfollowing one's dreamdesperateperiod filmstraight jacketcautionaryblack womanwoman's storydishearteningpowerfulwoman musiciandeep south racismkkk rally

About Lady Sings the Blues

Lady Sings the Blues is a drama, music film released in 1972 exploring themes of new york city, brothel, jazz singer or musician, mental breakdown, biography, addiction. Directed by Sidney J. Furie, it stars Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor. Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.

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