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Lady Sings The Blues (1972)
Released By: Paramount Home Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Paramount Home Video
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Sidney J. Furie
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Billy Dee Williams, Diana Ross, James Callahan, Paul Hampton, Richard Pryor, Sid Melton
Published ID: 1711
UPC: 097360837421, 097360837445,
Plot: Diana Ross plays the magnificent, tragic song stylist Billie Holiday, who while writhing in a strait jacket in a prison cell, awaiting sentencing on drug charges, reflects on her turbulent life. Raped in her youth by a drunk (Adolph Caesar), then compelled to work as a domestic in a Harlem whorehouse, Holliday is encouraged to try for a singing career by the bordello's pianist (Richard Pryor). She rises as high as it is possible to go in the white-dominated show business world of the 1930s, but can't handle the pressure and turns to narcotics. The film takes several liberties with the 44-year existence of Lady Day. Among the Billie Holiday standards performed by Ross are My Man, I Cried for You, Lover Man, Them There Eyes, and the title song. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Lady sings the blues
Added 10/26/2009

I already have watched this movie but I would like to watch it again.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Lady Sings the Blues
Added 9/14/2009

Diana really should have won an Oscar for this movie and not Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Ross and Pryor should have been Oscar winners
Added 9/13/2009

I probally have seen "Lady Sings the Blues" over a 100 times,and its on TV right now.Its near the end after The Piano Man ,Richard Pryor,has just gotten killed.I'm amazed of his acting,and of course,Diana Ross.She is Billy Holiday,even the way she sings.I have alot of Holidays records,and Ross added her style blending with Billys to come up with one of the greatest performances ever on screen.
This DVD is a Classic,and its one of my top 10 films of all time.Even though I'm a Liza Minnelli fan,I wanted Ross to win the Oscar so bad that year,along with Richard Pryor.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
My purchase
Added 7/14/2009

I love the dvd I purchased of Lady Sings the Blues. Great quantity for a cheap price and quick shipment. Thanx Amazon. Looking forward to buying more great movies on here.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Lady sings the blues
Added 7/1/2009

Excellent movie and good product, I had trouble finding it so I am extremely pleased
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
"Diana Ross Plays Billie Holliday"
Added 6/21/2009

"Lady Sings The Blues" was Diana Ross' first film and it garnered her an Oscar nomination as Best Actress of 1972. She lost to Liza Minnilli for "Cabaret".
Diana plays Blues singer Billie Holliday. As most ardent Holliday fans know Billie was a severe drug addict. Her drug addiction is what destroyed her and Diana Ross should be applauded for her mesmerizing performance of a woman who eventually had everything in the world then threw it all away to drugs. The most dramatic scenes are the ones in which Billie argues with her boyfriend, played beautifully by Billy Dee Willimas, when he insists she stop using heroine. Billie runs into the bathroom, slams the door, and injects heroine into her veins. The withdrawal scenes are exceptionally well acted and directed. This film was one of the first to dramatize drug use.
The music of Billie Holiday is well documented in this film and Diana does a superb job in recapturing the esssence of one of America's finest Blues singers.
The DVD comes with commentary by Barry Gordy who produced the film, director Sidney Furie, and artist manager Shelly Berger. There are also deleted scenes and a great retrospective on the film featuring new interviews by Diana Ross and others associated with the movie.
"Lady Sings The Blues" received five Academy Award nominations in total.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Lady Sings the Blues
Added 9/14/2009

Diana really should have won an Oscar for this movie and not Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Ross and Pryor should have been Oscar winners
Added 9/13/2009

I probally have seen "Lady Sings the Blues" over a 100 times,and its on TV right now.Its near the end after The Piano Man ,Richard Pryor,has just gotten killed.I'm amazed of his acting,and of course,Diana Ross.She is Billy Holiday,even the way she sings.I have alot of Holidays records,and Ross added her style blending with Billys to come up with one of the greatest performances ever on screen.
This DVD is a Classic,and its one of my top 10 films of all time.Even though I'm a Liza Minnelli fan,I wanted Ross to win the Oscar so bad that year,along with Richard Pryor.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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$4.45 @ Amazon
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