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Feature film — 1972

Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

6.92h 24mDrama — Music

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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The note

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A high-signal pick with 80 votes.

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

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Director: Sidney J. Furie

On screen

Cast & crew

Diana Ross as Billie Holiday

Diana Ross

Billie Holiday

Billy Dee Williams as Louis McKay

Billy Dee Williams

Louis McKay

Richard Pryor as Piano Man

Richard Pryor

Piano Man

James T. Callahan as Reg Hanley

James T. Callahan

Reg Hanley

P

Paul Hampton

Harry

Sid Melton as Jerry

Sid Melton

Jerry

Virginia Capers as Mama Holiday

Virginia Capers

Mama Holiday

Yvonne Fair as Yvonne

Yvonne Fair

Yvonne

Isabel Sanford as The Madame

Isabel Sanford

The Madame

T

Tracee Lyles

The Prostitute

Ned Glass as The Agent

Ned Glass

The Agent

Milton Selzer as The Doctor

Milton Selzer

The Doctor

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