The story of the troubled life and career of the legendary Jazz singer, Billie Holiday.The story of the troubled life and career of the legendary Jazz singer, Billie Holiday.The story of the troubled life and career of the legendary Jazz singer, Billie Holiday.
- Nominated for 5 Oscars
- 5 wins & 8 nominations total
- Reg Hanley
- (as James Callahan)
- The Singer
- (as Michele Aller)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Diana Ross, Richard Pryor instructed her on how to behave during the scenes of drug use.
- GoofsSome of the African-American male characters and extras sport modern (1972) hair styles with Afros or sideburns which were not in style in the 1930s.
- Quotes
Billie Holiday: [after Louis discovers that Billie shoots up] Sure I've taken a few shots, but only when I needed it,
[Louis sighs]
Billie Holiday: but i'm not hooked, Louis. I'm not.
Louis McKay: Only when you needed it. What do you think hooked is? All I had to do is listen to your voice on the telephone and I knew. Who the hell do you think you're talking to? One of those ofay cats you be running around with? I've been on those streets all of my life. I know what that shit is!
Billie Holiday: It's good, ain't it?
[Louis then gets up and takes her suitcase and starts packing her stuff]
Billie Holiday: Wait, Wait, Baby! Oh, no.
Louis McKay: We're going home. Now!
Billie Holiday: [Stopping him] Wait, hey, baby, wait. See, you don't understand. Now, you don't know how it is when people are looking down at you and laughing at you and think that I'm a loser. And if I go home now, I'll think that I'm one, too. I gotta prove it to them. I gotta prove it to myself.
Louis McKay: What're you proving with that needle? That you're not woman enough to make it without a crutch? A magic way out when the going gets a little too rough? I want you to make it, too, baby. But not this way. Not this way.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Lady Sings the Blues (Featurette) (1972)
- SoundtracksTain't Nobody's Business
Written by Porter Grainger and Everett Robbins
Sung by Blinky (as Blinky Williams)
Billie was immensely talented, but she had her demons. This is a recurring theme in the entertainment industry. Diana did an exceptional job playing Billie Holiday. Pryor and Billie Dee were good as well, but Diana shined. It's too bad she had to play such a tragic role.
- view_and_review
- Dec 4, 2019
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- El ocaso de una estrella
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $6,028,486