Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

6.9/10 • 144 min • Drama Music

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

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 Announcer

Recommendations

The Doors
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Hounddog
Ray
Get On Up
Factory Girl
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Rocketman
Cadillac Records
To Write Love on Her Arms
Once Upon a Time in America
Blaze
Bird
The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things
The Joker is Wild
Crossroads
La Bamba
Black Snake Moan
Requiem for a Dream
Better Man