Thoughts About “Lady Sings The Blues”, 42 Years (gulp!!) Later

[[note: We are all familiar with the biographical/historical inaccuracies of the film; they have been examined, discussed, sliced, diced, bisected, dissected, hashed, flashed, re-hashed and trashed for 4+ decades. That is not the purpose of this post; instead I'd like to hear what other recent viewers think about the film as an entertainment experience these many years later)


I don’t remember when I last watched LSTB all the way through; my guess would be at least 20 years ago. I bough the DVD a while back and purposely waited for a “special” night to watch the film anew. My thoughts? Even these many decades later the film holds up excellently as a fast-paced, well made “big” movie. All the performances are fantastic and Diana Ross is a revelation as a natural actress. You can’t, and don’t, take your eyes off her. The musical performances have great arrangements and Ross sings [[as usual) like the dickens. Some slightly dated techniques [[such as the drop-in black and white still photos) did not hamper my pleasure at all.

So, you recent viewers of LSTB – what are your thoughts?

By far the best of any movie Motown turned out. One of the best performances, perhaps the best performance ever by a singer turned actress. Her ability dwarfed the abilities of her contemporaries. If it is true that Aretha Franklin was jealous, this is definitely one of the performances and issues that would have caused Aretha distress.

Good film, though I do think it could've been done better. Diane was good, but not great in my opinion.

I have to say it.................. Diana's performance made me research Billie.

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Originally Posted by captainjames

I have to say it.................. Diana's performance made me research Billie.

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Me too. It went to #1 for Diana but also caused many Holiday reissues and many of them to chart and sell. Lots of royalties to the Holiday Estate.

For a debut acting role and about a black biopic was a first that i know of especially when most black films that came out in the early 70s were blaxploitation, and the road blocks thst were put in gordys way to make this film Diana was fantastic, can u imagine a new actress having to endure all those drug scenes snd make it believable. ROSS was Billy Holiday!!!!! I plan to watch the film before christmas like i do annually.

I loved LSTB then, and I will always love it. The only part of the film that I dislike is the extreme downer near the end when Piano Man was murdered by the drug thugs, but, then, again, it's an integral part of the story which couldn't be left out. Diana's acting was superb, and her clothes were gorgeous. Best of all, however, were the musical performances in which Diana shined, as always. If I recall, Gil Askey was responsible for those wonderful musical arrangements. Nobody could write live-performance music charts for Diana Ross & The Supremes and, later, Diana solo like Gil Askey could. The man was a genius, and our Miss Ross was the perfect vehicle to execute them perfectly -- both visually and vocally. I could listen to Diana perform those uptempo, finger-snappin', jazz tunes like "Them There Eyes" and "What A Little Moonlight Can Do" all day and all night -- and still want more! Motown's LSTB was pure class from start to finish!

LSTB remains, for me, one of the most awesome indications of Diana Ross's star power, charisma, and undeniable talent. It's a flawed film, but so are some of the most brilliant diamonds. Ross and Gordy proved all of the naysayers wrong with this risky gamble; we are all the richer for it. Her performance was so shattering that my mother believed to the end of her life that Gordy must have had Diana "drugged" in actuality! LOL. This project was my window into jazz at 9 years old, a lifelong love affair that continues to this day. Add a starmaking turn by the incredible Richard Pryor, stir in some sumptuous Mackie gowns, and a cast of beloved veterans making cameos...it's one of the cultural touchstones I return to multiple times a year.

Does anyone know if Flo, Mary, or Cindy ever commented publicly on Diana's performance in the movie? Or on the movie itself? Thanks.

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Originally Posted by sansradio

LSTB remains, for me, one of the most awesome indications of Diana Ross's star power, charisma, and undeniable talent. It's a flawed film, but so are some of the most brilliant diamonds. Ross and Gordy proved all of the naysayers wrong with this risky gamble; we are all the richer for it. Her performance was so shattering that my mother believed to the end of her life that Gordy must have had Diana "drugged" in actuality! LOL. This project was my window into jazz at 9 years old, a lifelong love affair that continues to this day. Add a starmaking turn by the incredible Richard Pryor, stir in some sumptuous Mackie gowns, and a cast of beloved veterans making cameos...it's one of the cultural touchstones I return to multiple times a year.

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Lovely post.

I haven't seen the film in a long time, but I remember it was very powerful. I liked it, although I confess to only watching for Diana Ross. It did prompt me to investigate some of the better known jazz acts, and the Stolen Moments live album, although not directly related, is my favourite live record. I find the soundtrack unlistenable though with all that dialogue mixed in.

A shame she didn't do more movies really.

It’s great to read these interesting and heartfelt posts; I wonder if Ms. Ross, Mr. Gordy and others involved with the film are aware of its continuing popularity and place in the lives of us fans. I sure hope so!

Jobeterob: I have a feeling that Ross’ excellence in LSTB caused lots of distress to many of her fellow lady performers!

Franjoy56: I understand your annual viewing – I specifically withheld watching my DVD for Thanksgiving night. The big holidays are a great time to re-watch favorite old films.

Philles/Motown Glory: You are so right! Mr. Askey is a marvel and one of my Ross fantasy projects is an uptempo “finger snappin’” [[great description!) jazz CD.

Sanradio: Great comments – and don’t you almost have a heart attack when our girl walks down the stairs in the flounced yellow dress?!

Alanbill74: Yup – there should have been more starring rolls for Diana Ross; Such is life, I guess!

Best to all – up for mid-December – Mahogany!

alanbill1074: Thanks for your kind words! I, too, wish Miss Ross had given us more moments on the silver screen.

RobertZ: Thanks to you as well! Yes, I do swoon for the yellow dress...and moreso for the pillbox/cape ensemble she wears at the train depot with Billy Dee and Richard! The patterned blouse and that cape with the matching lining...go on, girl! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvhtFXHN3Qg

So nice, got to see it twIce. Then ten more times. Thanks Skooldem.

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Originally Posted by Methuselah2

Does anyone know if Flo, Mary, or Cindy ever commented publicly on Diana's performance in the movie? Or on the movie itself? Thanks.

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In her second book SUPREME FAITH, Mary wrote that Berry invited her to the Paramount lot to see some outtakes before the film's release. She wrote that she was surprised that Diana was that good, and that she still thinks that LADY... was the best thing that she ever did. She also wrote that she considered LADY Diana's definitive step towards superstardom and away from all that she had done before, including the Supremes.

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Originally Posted by sansradio

alanbill1074: Thanks for your kind words! I, too, wish Miss Ross had given us more moments on the silver screen.

RobertZ: Thanks to you as well! Yes, I do swoon for the yellow dress...and moreso for the pillbox/cape ensemble she wears at the train depot with Billy Dee and Richard! The patterned blouse and that cape with the matching lining...go on, girl! ;)

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Oh YES! The pillbox and cape; this is a perfect illustration of class.

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Originally Posted by reese

In her second book SUPREME FAITH, Mary wrote that Berry invited her to the Paramount lot to see some outtakes before the film's release. She wrote that she was surprised that she was that good, and that she still thinks that LADY... was the best thing that Diana ever did. She considered LADY Diana's definitive step towards superstardom and all that she had done before, including the Supremes.

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Thank you Reese. Very interesting.

Miss Diane Ross was phononemal in Lady and in Mahogany and in The wiz and in out of Darkness. I didnt think double Platinum was worthy of Miss Ross but I sure hope she make another movie.

Speaking of Supremes acting in movies anyone know when Mary Wilsons Golden Shoe movie is getting released?

Roberta

I think it's a great piece of fiction that exposed the pubic to Billie's music. However, its one of the least accurate biopics I've ever seen and Diana's portrayal of Billie is embarrassing. Don't get me wrong. Diana does a GREAT acting job of portraying a CHARACTER of a jazz singer who might have lived during those times. However, she was NOT Billie in any sense of the word, and it gave many people a false impression of who Billie was, for better or for worse [[although Billie's autobiography from which the movie was based does little to help).

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Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary

[B]I loved LSTB then, and I will always love it. The only part of the film that I dislike is the extreme downer near the end when Piano Man was murdered by the drug thugs, but, then, again, it's an integral part of the story which couldn't be left out.

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It really isn't integral, since 'Piano Man' is a fictional character.

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Originally Posted by Roberta75

Speaking of Supremes acting in movies anyone know when Mary Wilsons Golden Shoe movie is getting released?

Roberta

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Probably when her solo album is released...

There's an awful lot wrong with the movie fact-wise, and that can't be overlooked. But as an entertainment, it still manages to deliver the goods. And that's Ross' performance. From the moment the movie starts and the credits begin as Ross as 'Billie' is being escorted into the police station, Ross' lightning quick--and powerfully defiant--snap of her head as her sunglasses are removed let's you know you're about to see a great performance. Like many stars in the 30s--such as Garbo, Dietrich, Harlow, Davis, and Crawford--Ross was already a complete reason for going to the movies.

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Originally Posted by Methuselah2

Does anyone know if Flo, Mary, or Cindy ever commented publicly on Diana's performance in the movie? Or on the movie itself? Thanks.

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I don't know if it was public but I seem to remember Flo commenting to Diana about Mahogany and how good she looked and act. This was around the time that Diana and Flo reconnected.

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Originally Posted by captainjames

I don't know if it was public but I seem to remember Flo commenting to Diana about Mahogany and how good she looked and act. This was around the time that Diana and Flo reconnected.

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Thanks Captainjames.

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Originally Posted by captainjames

I don't know if it was public but I seem to remember Flo commenting to Diana about Mahogany and how good she looked and act. This was around the time that Diana and Flo reconnected.

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I remember reading that. It might have been in Peter Benjaminson's book, I think...I VAGUELY recall reading Florence commenting to Diana [[or the interviewer) about seeing LSTB. But I could also be completely making that up...

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Originally Posted by antceleb12

I remember reading that. It might have been in Peter Benjaminson's book, I think...I VAGUELY recall reading Florence commenting to Diana [[or the interviewer) about seeing LSTB. But I could also be completely making that up...

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Indeed, in Peter Benajminson's book, Flo told him that she had recently spoke with Diana. She went on to say how she saw LADY SINGS THE BLUES, that Diana had done a fantastic job, and said that she cried. In J. Randy's books, he says that during the call with Flo and Diana, Flo mentioned that she had seen MAHOGANY and thought Diana looked great, but that the ending was unrealistic.

Good to see that Flo enjoyed Diana's performance.

Lady Sings the Blues is one of my fave movies. I saw it when it came out with Mary Wells & her husband Cecil Womack. Mary loved it & really cracked up when she saw Yvonne Fair in it.After the movie Mary made the comment that she thought Diana did an outstanding job & how hard Diana worked to get where she was.

I wish this movie would be released on DVD in Britain. I did purchase a copy of the PAL version but it won't play on any of my DVD players.
Perhaps Paramount will relaease it for its 45th anniversary in 2017 [[or 50th in 2022).

Nice to hear good comments at the time of release from Mary, Flo and Mary Wells.

It's also interesting that The Wiz will often show up higher than LSTB on lists of Best Black Movies. Recently I saw one such list that had The Wiz much higher and even had Mahogany above LSTB.

I saw this movie on it's original release at the Avalon in Washington DC with my mother. She was not surprised at how well Diana Ross portrayed Billie Holiday because, she said, "she acts so well when she sings". I took a friend, many, many years later, to see the movie as a double feature with Sparkle, in NYC. It was a horribly cut version of the film. Many of us complained to the manager of the theatre who told us they had ordered the original film but were sent a European version that had been cut for time purposes. I was so happy when the film came out on DVD. It still measures up, though there are a couple of sequences that could have been edited down. It wasn't true to the facts of Billie Holiday's life but it got me interested in her music and what the real story was. There is a cable station [[Ovation or something like that) that has been showing the movie often on the last month or so. I always stop to watch some of it. "Just what every girl needs, a friend like Harry." Billy Dee is so sexy and Diana is just brilliant in her first film.

LSTB was a big thing and Ross did a bang up job. However I like Mahogany much more to me that is the essence of Diana Ross in that movie. I know LSTB was a tour de force for her and also the fact there were not that many black actresses out at the time as we have now [[Alfre Woodard, Halle Berry, CCH Pounder, Whoopi Goldberg, Teraji P Henson, etc..) We had them on
TV but not the big screen with the exception of Dihann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and a few more who unfortunately played slaves except Diana Sands. Anyway that adds to the credibility of Miss Ross as not only an actress but as a fashion icon. The only person I can think of who comes close as far as being a black woman as a fashion icon would be Jody Watley and not IMAN. I dont know Lady is great but Mahogany [[crazy script and all) personifies Diana IMO.