Lady Sings the Blues

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.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

October 12, 1972

Original language

English

Spoken languages

English

Countries

United States of America

Production

Paramount,Motown Productions,Weston Productions,Jobete Productions,Sidney J. Furie Productions,Paramount Pictures

Cast

Diana Ross,Billy Dee Williams,Richard Pryor,James T. Callahan,Paul Hampton,Sid Melton,Virginia Capers,Yvonne Fair,Isabel Sanford,Tracee Lylesand 27 more

Director

Sidney J. Furie

Writer

William Dufty,Terence McCloy,Billie Holiday,Suzanne de Passe,Chris Clark

Producer

Jay Weston,Berry Gordy,Brad Dexter,James S. White

Cinematography

John A. Alonzo

Music

Michel Legrand

Budget

$2,000,000

Revenue

$19,726,490

IMDb

tt0068828