Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
10/12/1972 (US) • 2h 24m
Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a superstar is born.
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.
Top Billed Cast
Billie Holiday
Louis McKay
Piano Man
Reg Hanley
Harry
Jerry
Mama Holiday
Yvonne
The Madame
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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$2,000,000.00
Revenue
$19,726,490.00
Keywords
new york city
brothel
jazz singer or musician
mental breakdown
biography
addiction
rape victim
tour bus
racism
based on memoir or autobiography
period drama
drug overdose
music history
lynching
dying young
black singer
withdrawal
heroin addict
nightclub singer
blues music
billie holiday
harlem, new york city
carnegie hall
rise to fame
wayward girl
death of a musician
music tour
1940s
somber
1930s
following one's dream
desperate
former prostitute
period film
straight jacket
cautionary
black woman
cultural icon
woman's story
disheartening
powerful
woman musician
deep south racism
kkk rally
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