Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
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.
Cast
Diana Ross
Billie Holiday
Billy Dee Williams
Louis McKay
Richard Pryor
Piano Man
James T. Callahan
Reg Hanley
Paul Hampton
Harry
Sid Melton
Jerry
Virginia Capers
Mama Holiday
Yvonne Fair
Yvonne
Isabel Sanford
The Madame
Ned Glass
The Agent
Milton Selzer
The Doctor
Norman Bartold
The Detective #1
Jester Hairston
The Butler
Bert Kramer
The Policeman
Paul Micale
The Maitre d'
Byron Kane
The AnnouncerRecommendations
The Doors
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Hounddog
Ray
Bird
Get On Up
Factory Girl
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
The Joker is Wild
Rocketman
Blaze
Cadillac Records
Once Upon a Time in America
La Bamba
The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things
Requiem for a Dream
To Write Love on Her Arms
Black Snake Moan
Heaven Knows What
Better Man