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Lady Sings the Blues poster

Lady Sings the Blues

1972 · 2h 24m · Drama, Music · United States of America · Rated R (US)

Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a superstar is born.

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.

Directed by
Sidney J. Furie
Written by
Chris Clark, Suzanne de Passe, Terence McCloy
Starring
Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan
Trailer
6.5Smart score

The TMDB rating, pulled toward the movie average (6.03) as if it had 82 extra average votes. Few votes means more pull.

TMDB6.9

80 TMDB votes · IMDb page

Trailer

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Where to watch

Not available to stream, rent or buy in Australia.

Streaming data by JustWatch, via TMDB. Links open the JustWatch listing for Australia.

Style & content

1930s1940saddictionbased on memoir or autobiographybillie holidaybiographyblack singerblack womanblues musicbrothelcarnegie hallcautionarydeath of a musiciandesperatedishearteningdrug overdosedying youngfollowing one's dreamharlem, new york cityheroin addictjazz singer or musiciankkk rallylynchingmental breakdownmusic historymusic tournew york citynightclub singerperiod dramaperiod filmpowerfulracismrape victimrise to famesomberstraight jackettour buswayward girlwithdrawalwoman musicianwoman's story
RatingR (US)

Keywords from TMDB.

Connected through the crew

Scarface1983 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoChinatown1974 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoStar Trek: Generations1994 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace1987 · Director Sidney J. FurieHarold and Maude1971 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoOverboard1987 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoCool World1992 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoSteel Magnolias1989 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoThe Entity1982 · Director Sidney J. FurieBlue Thunder1983 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoVanishing Point1971 · Cinematographer John A. AlonzoHousesitter1992 · Cinematographer John A. Alonzo

Browse lists

Best Drama Movies of the 1970sBest Music Movies of the 1970sBest Drama Movies of All TimeBest Music Movies of All Time