DVD : Lady Sings the Blues

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Paramount
EAN: 9780792180227
Format: Collector's Edition, Color, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN: 0792180224
Label: Paramount
Manufacturer: Paramount
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Paramount
Region Code: 1
Release Date: November 08, 2005
Running Time: 143 minutes
Studio: Paramount
Theatrical Release Date: October 12, 1972
Sales Rank: 5375
MPN: PARD083744D

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Editorial Review:

Description:
The essence of Billie Holiday, one of America's most loved and memorable blues singers, is captured brilliantly in a tour-de-force debut performance by singer Diana Ross. Filled with the greatest songs of the incomparable "Lady Day," this stunning film biography received five Academy Award. nominations, including Diana Ross for "Best Actress." Costarring Billy Dee Williams and Richard Pryor.

Amazon.com:
Diana Ross stars as legendary blues singer Billie Holiday in this biopic that chronicles her rise and fall. It begins with her late childhood, a stint as a prostitute, those early days as a blues singer, her marriages, and her drug addiction. Overly glossy and lacking depth, this is worth seeing only for the performances. Diana Ross was nominated for an Oscar for her acting debut. A dynamo with sparkling screen presence, she realistically conveys the confusion and unhappiness that caused Holiday so much grief. Her performance is almost matched by romantic interest Billy Dee Williams. Watch for Richard Pryor, who is most powerful in a dramatic supporting role as the piano player in a brothel. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- This Movie Needs to Be Recreated
I have always adored Billie Holiday since I was a kid. She is, to me, the greatest female jazz singer in history. I was about 11 when I first saw this movie and I was naturally excited when I learned that there was a movie about Billie holiday's life I was completely horrified and disappointed with this movie, Diana's acting, and the singing. I wanted to hear Billie's actual voice with the music, or at least someone who had a similar vocal quality to Billie. Nothing personal to Diana, I also like ... Read More

Rating:

- Diana Ross is incredible
In my opinion, (surely due to strong bias because I have been listening to this album since I was a little girl) this album/DVD contains some of the absolute best versions of Billie Holiday songs ever recorded. Diana Ross exquisitely captured the perfect tempo(i), inflection, phrasing, and dynamics for every song (not to mention her incredible acting performance as well.) The movie is one that I can watch over and over and over again and always be captivated.

Rating:

- Daina Ross: This Lady Sings and Acts
I grew up listening to Diana Ross and the Supremes. Always loved their music , So I went to see Diana Ross in a movie...Well, I don't want to overstate the case, but 'Lady Sings the Blues' is a Perfect movie and Diana Ross is Superb -nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Treat yourself to this movie and a few others: Bette Midler in 'The Rose', Cher in 'Mask' or 'Silkwood', Barbra Streisand in 'The Way We Were' or 'What's Up Doc' or to a Hillary Clinton For President speech: did you know that ... Read More

Rating:

- Lady Sings the Blues
Absolutely stunning! I first saw this movie in 1976 and it is even better than I remembered it. Ross's performance, and that of Billy Dee Williams are both excellent. It's such a pity that this movie seems to have disappeared off the screens of most shops today. I have been searching for it for years.

Rating:

- A Movie I Will Never Forget--Too Bad The Academy Awards Did
When I first saw this fabulous movie in 1972, I was completely awestruck. I couldn't even move from my seat, so I paid to watch it again. While Diana Ross was totally cheated out of the Academy Award for Best Actress, the movie itself was maligned when it did not receive the other top nominations--Best Picture of the Year, Best Actor (Billy Dee Williams), and Best Director (Sidney J. Furie). Moreover, it would not be a stretch to state that Richard Pryor deserved a nod for Best Supporting Actor. ... Read More

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