Diana and her movies

[sup_fan]

What do you think Diana should have done post Wiz to rebound her movie career?

i know she had her heart set on doing the Josephine Baker movie but frankly i don't know if that would have been all that successful. probably would have been a perfectly fine movie but not a blockbuster and probably not enough to reconfirm with Hollywood her bankability as a star.

Bodyguard might have worked. i could see the general public being much more interested in that story. even when i try to envision it being slightly different than the Whitney version we eventually got.

[sup_fan]

sorry - after opening this thread i thought about broadening the topic to be all Hollywood.

like could Diana have been Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty? or a recurring role in another hot show?

Maybe Dallas or Falcon Crest would respond by hiring Diana for THEIR shows lol

[reese]

sorry - after opening this thread i thought about broadening the topic to be all Hollywood.

like could Diana have been Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty? or a recurring role in another hot show?

Maybe Dallas or Falcon Crest would respond by hiring Diana for THEIR shows lol

There were tabloid stories that Diana was being courted by CBS to appear on DALLAS as a potential threat to J.R.

This might have been a good opportunity to appeal to a new audience while not having to be stuck on a film location for a couple of months.

In recent years, I vaguely recall Eddie Murphy saying that he wanted Diana and Billy Dee to be his parents in COMING TO AMERICA. As it was, James Earl Jones ended up playing his father. If Diana had played his mom, they could have been reunited professionally for the first time since TARZAN.

[reese]

Maybe Diana could have played Tracee's mom on GIRLFRIENDS. On one episode, there were rumors that she actually appeared uncredited during a church scene.

[sup_fan]

or what if Diana was the Good Witch in the live TV version of The Wiz a few years ago?

[sup_fan]

wonder if she was ever considered for anything in The Color Purple?

the thing with many of the mega movies of the 80s is that they were strong ensemble concepts. you could maybe have done Beaches with Diana being the Bette role. Or if she would have bene willing to take supporting roles - Ghostbusters, A Fish Called Wanda, A Room with a View, Places in the heart, Broadcast news. etc.

[marybrewster]

Could Diana have played the Vanity role in "The Last Dragon"? She was gone from Motown by then.....

[marybrewster]

Other than "Lady", Diana's track record on film is lukewarm, at best. Even "Lady", with all of its accolades, was not a blockbuster, making only a few more million than its cost. Hardly a success by today's standards.

Maybe she might have had more success on the small screen, but would have never been able to committee, or commute, when raising her kids.

[Spreadinglove21]

Miss Ross is a superstar, she doesn't do ensemble.

Wasn't there chatter at one point of her starring in an American adaptation of the early 80s French film "Diva"?

[marybrewster]

She certainly could have done a tv few guest spots over the years. In "Girlfriends" and in "Blackish" for sure. Could she have had a role in "The Cosby Show"? "Gimme a Break"?

[Ollie9]

I think she has a flair for comedy, so would love to have seen her in the Main Event, a film originally intended for her.
After the camp nonsense of Mahogany, she really needed a vehicle to highlight her acting chops. Instead we got The Wiz.
Her next film after The Wiz was going to be Tough Customers, co-starring Gene Hackman. Apparently it contained an excellent script, but sadly no studio was interested in backing it after her previous box office disaster. It’s a massive shame as it sounded just the kind of project she needed to cement her acting credentials.

,

[jim aka jtigre99]

Diana was an extremely talented actress. She was amazing in Lady. Her choices of Mahogany was not the best follow up and The Wiz is popular now but at the time was seen as a major misstep. Her role in Double Platinum was fluff just like Mahogany and Out of Darkness was a return to form in serious acting. It has been said many roles were pondered and I think the Baker project would have had scrutiny since she played another legend once before. I had read she wouldn't do ensemble pieces, only starring roles and that she wasn't fond of acting as much as singing. Besides, at the time, The Wiz sealed her fate for any major acting role. Too bad.

[sansradio]

I think she has a flair for comedy, so would love to have seen her in the Main Event, a film originally intended for her.
After the camp nonsense of Mahogany, she really needed a vehicle to highlight her acting chops. Instead we got The Wiz.
Her next film after The Wiz was going to be Tough Customers, co-starring Gene Hackman. Apparently it contained an excellent script, but sadly no studio was interested in backing it after her previous box office disaster. It’s a massive shame as it sounded just the kind of project she needed to cement her acting credentials.

,

There was also a crime thriller project entitled The Lady in the 450SL in development for her around the time of [I]Tough Customers. Likewise, I recall a project entitled Silence that would have cast her opposite Jack Lemmon as a deaf-mute prostitute [something that would have never even been entertained under Gordy's aegis]. And there was Hot Snow, a biopic of jazz trumpeter/vocalist Valaida Snow, which was in development by Ross' production company and TNT. And those are just some from the '80s onward; countless Ross film projects were bandied about in the '70s [such as Darker than Amber , [I]Peter Pan, and a remake of A Couple of Swells​.]

[sup_fan]

remember Diana didn't choose Mahogany. Berry did. and it would be interesting to speculate what it could have been like with Tony Richardson as the director. Sure it was probably never going to be a Citizen Kane but it could have been a much stronger vehicle.

the 80s was a tough period though. it was filled with Horror/Slasher films [[definite no), Teen flicks both raunchy and serious [[again, no), major ensemble projects [[potentially yes but supposedly no according to her demands). A lot of the black movies at this time were either foul-mouthed cops like Beverly Hills Cop, racial flips like Trading Places, or hardcore dramas like Lean on Me and Do the right thing.

something like Ghost or Sister Act wouldn't have worked since 1) it's an ensemble and 2) playing more of a "stereotypical" fast-talking, crass black woman.

then there were the historical movies and shows - Roots, North and South, Glory. nope

[reese]

When she was promoting WORKIN' OVERTIME, Diana mentioned that she would like to star in adventure films. I thought that was an interesting idea but alas, nothing came of it.

[mowsville]

I think Diana would have great cast as the mom in Spike Lee's Crooklyn...something with a bit of soul to it.

[Ollie9]

remember Diana didn't choose Mahogany. Berry did. and it would be interesting to speculate what it could have been like with Tony Richardson as the director. Sure it was probably never going to be a Citizen Kane but it could have been a much stronger vehicle.

the 80s was a tough period though. it was filled with Horror/Slasher films [[definite no), Teen flicks both raunchy and serious [[again, no), major ensemble projects [[potentially yes but supposedly no according to her demands).

I have always thought a major opportunity was missed by not casting the lovely Tracy Chambers as the deranged psychopath in place of Sean McAvoy. Anthony Perkins was ok, but Diana would have been far more convincing.
The face she pulls in the car crash scene where she tells Sean to “Take the friggin picture” is rather scarily not easily forgotten. :eek:

[sansradio]

I have always thought a major opportunity was missed by not casting the lovely Tracy Chambers as the deranged psychopath in place of Sean McAvoy. Anthony Perkins was ok, but Diana would have been far more convincing.
The face she pulls in the car crash scene where she tells Sean to “Take the friggin picture” is rather scarily not easily forgotten. :eek:

You mean this face?
https://c.tenor.com/CYXdi_GWi7AAAAAC/diana-ross-mahogany.gif
https://images.app.goo.gl/oVGzFS2wDWxPShcDA
https://images.app.goo.gl/oVGzFS2wDWxPShcDA

[Ollie9]

You mean this face?
https://c.tenor.com/CYXdi_GWi7AAAAAC/diana-ross-mahogany.gif
https://images.app.goo.gl/oVGzFS2wDWxPShcDA
https://images.app.goo.gl/oVGzFS2wDWxPShcDA

The very one sans lol. I use to wake up screaming in the night.

[benross]

Was it Diana's choice in Mahogany to name her aunt Florence, in honor of Miss Ballard?

[RanRan79]

I think Diana would have great cast as the mom in Spike Lee's Crooklyn...something with a bit of soul to it.

An excellent idea. One of my favorite movies.

[RanRan79]

There was a project on the table in the 90s for Diana and Blair Underwood in a May/December romance movie. I kept waiting for information about it but...crickets. I think that might have been an interesting one.

[TheMotownManiac]

What do you think Diana should have done post Wiz to rebound her movie career?

i know she had her heart set on doing the Josephine Baker movie but frankly i don't know if that would have been all that successful. probably would have been a perfectly fine movie but not a blockbuster and probably not enough to reconfirm with Hollywood her bankability as a star.

Bodyguard might have worked. i could see the general public being much more interested in that story. even when i try to envision it being slightly different than the Whitney version we eventually got.


I think the story of Josephine Baker could’ve made an incredible film, it just depends on the strength of the screenplay. Audiences can get drawn into anything if it’s well written and executed. Lady sings the blues was a hit when most people that went to it didn’t even know who Billie Holiday was. Look at Yentl, who would’ve thought a movie about a Jewish girl trying to pass herself off as a Jewish boy so she could study the Talmud would be a hit movie? Wow, I wasn’t able to sit through it, and we left rather early into it because we were snickering and we didn’t want to ruin it for anybody, but my point is that it found an audience with a subject matter that absolutely would find very little interest outside the Jewish community . I think Josephine Baker‘s life story has so much interest in it and so many elements to it, that it would be difficult not to have a compelling screenplay unless you tried to work her whole life into two hours which is so often a mistake. I think it could’ve worked . Certainly bodyguard could’ve worked at maybe giving her better music to sing than that which showed up on the ross 78 album.

much has been said about her being washed up in movies after the disaster of the wiz, but it’s not true. She was being pinched for things right along and working very closely with Barry Diller @Paramount on her own project. When she finally gave up her demands and looked for a good script, Jack Nicholson told her about witches of Eastwick and they were quite interested. I have a friend that worked on it and he told me they held the part that went to Michelle Pfeiffer for as long as they could, while she either decided if she was going to reproduce , or get a positive test back. She decided on getting pregnant and had to say no. At the time Cher was not linked to the deal, but was very interested. If not for the RossNess monster, it could easily have been Cher Ross Sarandon. My guess is that she is happy with her choice, but it would’ve been nice. With Evan following so closely behind, the feasibility of her doing a movie for years was nil.

I think that if Berry Gordy had left her alone after lady sings the blues, she might’ve been able to have quite a significant movie career, his Avoricious narcissism made it impossible for her to have built Lady sings the blues into something huge.

[jim aka jtigre99]

I think Diana and Cher in a movie together would have been great. Gordy's campaign for the Oscar may have made some Hollywood types wary, though. His need for complete control didn't seem to work as well in Hollywood as it did at Motown. Since Diana adores her children, I think her choice for family has satisfied her far more than any movie would.

[jobucats]

Maybe Diana could have played Tracee's mom on GIRLFRIENDS. On one episode, there were rumors that she actually appeared uncredited during a church scene.

I remember that particular scene. There's a woman sitting in the congregation who was dressed a little more flashier than the other congregants. She was wearing a big, wide brimmed hat, yet her face is never seen. I recall it was speculated that was Diana's GIRLFRIENDS appearance. This character in the congregation, as I recall, didn't do anything special or really drew attention to herself other than wearing that big hat.

[reese]

I remember that particular scene. There's a woman sitting in the congregation who was dressed a little more flashier than the other congregants. She was wearing a big, wide brimmed hat, yet her face is never seen. I recall it was speculated that was Diana's GIRLFRIENDS appearance. This character in the congregation, as I recall, didn't do anything special or really drew attention to herself other than wearing that big hat.

That's the one. Whoever it was wearing a hat similar to that worn by Diana at Richard Pryor's funeral but her face was obscured.

[Ollie9]

I think her choice for family has satisfied her far more than any movie would.

Do you think Diana’s family life might have suffered greatly had she made a couple more movies?. Actors with young family generally seem to manage quite well, unless perhaps that love runs a little less deep.

[Ollie9]

I think the story of Josephine Baker could’ve made an incredible film, it just depends on the strength of the screenplay. Audiences can get drawn into anything if it’s well written and executed. Lady sings the blues was a hit when most people that went to it didn’t even know who Billie Holiday was. Look at Yentl, who would’ve thought a movie about a Jewish girl trying to pass herself off as a Jewish boy so she could study the Talmud would be a hit movie? Wow, I wasn’t able to sit through it, and we left rather early into it because we were snickering and we didn’t want to ruin it for anybody, but my point is that it found an audience with a subject matter that absolutely would find very little interest outside the Jewish community . I think Josephine Baker‘s life story has so much interest in it and so many elements to it, that it would be difficult not to have a compelling screenplay unless you tried to work her whole life into two hours which is so often a mistake. I think it could’ve worked . Certainly bodyguard could’ve worked at maybe giving her better music to sing than that which showed up on the ross 78 album.

much has been said about her being washed up in movies after the disaster of the wiz, but it’s not true. She was being pinched for things right along and working very closely with Barry Diller @Paramount on her own project. When she finally gave up her demands and looked for a good script, Jack Nicholson told her about witches of Eastwick and they were quite interested. I have a friend that worked on it and he told me they held the part that went to Michelle Pfeiffer for as long as they could, while she either decided if she was going to reproduce , or get a positive test back. She decided on getting pregnant and had to say no. At the time Cher was not linked to the deal, but was very interested. If not for the RossNess monster, it could easily have been Cher Ross Sarandon. My guess is that she is happy with her choice, but it would’ve been nice. With Evan following so closely behind, the feasibility of her doing a movie for years was nil.

I think that if Berry Gordy had left her alone after lady sings the blues, she might’ve been able to have quite a significant movie career, his Avoricious narcissism made it impossible for her to have built Lady sings the blues into something huge.

Was Streisand ever more feminine then when starring in Yentl lol. Her female speaking voice shot up an octave when attempting to portray a studious young man. Great music, but a lousy film.
In Call Her M’s Ross, it’s mentioned Diana’s film career was over managed, and that she was quite unaware of the roles that were being offered to her after the success of Lady.

[JLoveLamar]

This is my favorite subject! Diana Ross and the film career that could have been. I'm a bit glad that Diana did not do Witches of Eastwick. At least not the Michelle Pfeiffer role. Though it is a film, it means something a bit different to have the Black one with the 6 kids [[7 by the end of the film). I'm wondering how different the script Diana got was. Film scripts change a great deal before we see them. Actors get things taken out once they are in negotiations. I'd be really surprised if Michelle did the exact same role Diana would have done. Not in 1987. Now, the Cher role would've been awesome. Either Cher's or Susan's role. Susan Sarandon said a few years ago Cher was so standoffish towards she and Michelle that they did not really interact with her during filming.

I wish she could have gotten the Josephine Baker film made.

"Do you think Diana’s family life might have suffered greatly had she made a couple more movies?"

Absolutely not. She did an interview in Sweden where she admitted that she leaves her children a lot and she does not feel guilty about it because she had a gift and she felt like she wasn't really damaging them because they did not grow up with the added pressure of being "Diana Ross' Children." They were able to forge their own paths because of her absence. I just think she had such a focus on the Josephine Baker film that she couldn't see anything else. It pains me that she's only done 3 theatrical films.

All that being said, Producer Allen Carr [[Grease, Grease 2, almost had Diana in SILENCE,etc) said this about the Josephine Baker film with Diana

"Star demands have also led to the postponement of “The Josephine Baker Story.” “We're tossing that around with Diana Ross right now,” Mr. Carr says. “But the demands of her agents are enormous. What with the sets, the clothes, et cetera, the cost could escalate to $35 million before the lunch check arrives. Maybe we will do it with Donna Summer, who at the moment is more popular on records and concerts. And that's the bottom line: Do I do for $5 million with Donna, or invest $25 million recreating a Casino de Paris for Diana, and wind up with a ‘Doctor Dolittle’ or ‘Star’ on my hands?”

Allen Carr also said Silence would've been the biggest comeback since Gloria Swanson in Sunset BLVD. "It is a picture that could get us all Academy Awards. It will be a real challenge for Diana. She won't have a word of dialogue-all the emotion has to come from her eyes." Adrian Lyne [[director of Fatal Attraction) was supposed to direct.

[Ollie9]

This is my favorite subject! Diana Ross and the film career that could have been. I'm a bit glad that Diana did not do Witches of Eastwick. At least not the Michelle Pfeiffer role. Though it is a film, it means something a bit different to have the Black one with the 6 kids [[7 by the end of the film). I'm wondering how different the script Diana got was. Film scripts change a great deal before we see them. Actors get things taken out once they are in negotiations. I'd be really surprised if Michelle did the exact same role Diana would have done. Not in 1987. Now, the Cher role would've been awesome. Either Cher's or Susan's role. Susan Sarandon said a few years ago Cher was so standoffish towards she and Michelle that they did not really interact with her during filming.

I wish she could have gotten the Josephine Baker film made.

"Do you think Diana’s family life might have suffered greatly had she made a couple more movies?"

Absolutely not. She did an interview in Sweden where she admitted that she leaves her children a lot and she does not feel guilty about it because she had a gift and she felt like she wasn't really damaging them because they did not grow up with the added pressure of being "Diana Ross' Children." They were able to forge their own paths because of her absence. I just think she had such a focus on the Josephine Baker film that she couldn't see anything else. It pains me that she's only done 3 theatrical films.

All that being said, Producer Allen Carr [[Grease, Grease 2, almost had Diana in SILENCE,etc) said this about the Josephine Baker film with Diana

"Star demands have also led to the postponement of “The Josephine Baker Story.” “We're tossing that around with Diana Ross right now,” Mr. Carr says. “But the demands of her agents are enormous. What with the sets, the clothes, et cetera, the cost could escalate to $35 million before the lunch check arrives. Maybe we will do it with Donna Summer, who at the moment is more popular on records and concerts. And that's the bottom line: Do I do for $5 million with Donna, or invest $25 million recreating a Casino de Paris for Diana, and wind up with a ‘Doctor Dolittle’ or ‘Star’ on my hands?”

Allen Carr also said Silence would've been the biggest comeback since Gloria Swanson in Sunset BLVD. "It is a picture that could get us all Academy Awards. It will be a real challenge for Diana. She won't have a word of dialogue-all the emotion has to come from her eyes." Adrian Lyne [[director of Fatal Attraction) was supposed to direct.

Interesting info. Isn’t one particular film producer quoted as saying “Diana wants it all so is getting nothing”?.

[JLoveLamar]

^Yup! It said, "another producer said" which probably means it's him, and since he was still in talks with her he did not want to rock her boat. I did not know he also wanted to do Josephine with her

[Ollie9]

^Yup! It said, "another producer said" which probably means it's him, and since he was still in talks with her he did not want to rock her boat. I did not know he also wanted to do Josephine with her

It seems for the most part Diana lost heart in making films after negotiations for “Naked At The Feast” hit the dust. It makes one ponder whether she lost other potential film roles such as “Diva”, in much the same way.
I wonder had she still been at Motown when negotiations for the Josephine film were taking place the project might have reached fruition?.
It’s certainly relevant that after leaving the company, she never again starred in another major motion picture.

[reese]

It seems for the most part Diana lost heart in making films after negotiations for “Naked At The Feast” hit the dust. It makes one ponder whether she lost other potential film roles such as “Diva”, in much the same way.
I wonder had she still been at Motown when negotiations for the Josephine film were taking place the project might have reached fruition?.
It’s certainly relevant that after leaving the company, she never again starred in another major motion picture.

In an 80s interview, Diana said that Josephine Baker offered to sell her life story to Berry for Diana to star in. But Josephine wanted $1 million and Berry didn't want to pay that.

[Ollie9]

In an 80s interview, Diana said that Josephine Baker offered to sell her life story to Berry for Diana to star in. But Josephine wanted $1 million and Berry didn't want to pay that.

I had forgot about that one. Perhaps had she been with the company during 81 when at the peak of her career things might have proved a little different. Who knows for sure?.

[marybrewster]

Josephine was a homophobe. Would Diana have risked 97.4% of her fan base for a movie?

[bradsupremes]

Sesame Lady was another film Motown announced as in the works for Diana. It was going to pair her with Billy Dee Williams again with Williams playing an economics professor and Diana as a bail bondswoman.

[sansradio]

Josephine was a homophobe. Would Diana have risked 97.4% of her fan base for a movie?

ETA: Josephine herself was queer, having had relationships with men as well as affairs with women such as Clara Smith, Bricktop, Frida Kahlo, and Colette. [Although, granted, that’s never prevented someone from being homophobic.] She also referred to the transgender performer Coccinelle as her "daughter." At the same time, she did banish her son from her household for coming out as gay. So the truth is somewhat more nuanced.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/oh-sewing-circle.tumblr.com/post/182987659458/josephine-baker-was-married-four-times-but-is/amp

[sup_fan]

It seems for the most part Diana lost heart in making films after negotiations for “Naked At The Feast” hit the dust. It makes one ponder whether she lost other potential film roles such as “Diva”, in much the same way.
I wonder had she still been at Motown when negotiations for the Josephine film were taking place the project might have reached fruition?.
It’s certainly relevant that after leaving the company, she never again starred in another major motion picture.

my guess too is that she made a ton of money with her jump to RCA. she had been working so hard since she was a teenager. and now that she was approaching 40, things start to change. she was obviously less interested in records, sort of just coasting through it. and i think you're right - with the JB project fell through, she seemed to be less concerned with finding other properties

also she was a single mother, her girls were becoming teenagers and jr high age [[yikes!! lol) her mother died. it just might be that her priorities shifted

Also all women aged 40+ struggle with Hollywood. there's huge ageism at play there. plus in diana's case there's racism too.

probably the best time for her to find another movie would have been immediately after The Wiz. bounce back with a strong property. but her recording career was sort of in the dumps so instead she bounced back with The Boss. then she was trying to figure out how to either totally revamp her motown contract or move on. so she didn't have time for a movie. then she had to deliver the first album for RCA. and suddenly it's 1982 and it's been 5 years since her last movie, which was a bomb and 8 years since the movie before it [[which was critically panned)

[Ollie9]

Josephine was a homophobe. Would Diana have risked 97.4% of her fan base for a movie?

The answer is obviously Yes!. Diana tried for years to get the project off the ground and has often spoken of it with deep regret.

[marybrewster]

The answer is obviously Yes!. Diana tried for years to get the project off the ground and has often spoken of it with deep regret.

Yet she never succeeded. So it's a moot point.

[Boogiedown]

Why didn't she explore the project in France? Shouldn't that have been where a JB movie would've been more readily embraced?

[Ollie9]

Yet she never succeeded. So it's a moot point.

To you perhaps. I personally think it speaks volumes and is open to debate.

[Ollie9]

Why didn't she explore the project in France? Shouldn't that have been where a JB movie would've been more readily embraced?

I believe she moved to France for about a year. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

[Boogiedown]

I'll take this back . I'm sure she was a grand entertainer who lived a very rich life. .

[Ollie9]

Maybe I'm missing something, but what's the big draw about Josephine Baker other than she draped herself in bananas and paraded around in front a bunch of rich French people?

I'm sure I have it wrong and someone will be quick to set me straight ... maybe she also perfected the French roast or something ...

She always insisted on organic bananas, being the first performer ever to eat their own stage costume.

[Boogiedown]

oh my !!

hee haw!

[Boogiedown]

did Lady Gaga eat her meat costume I wonder??

[JLoveLamar]

I believe she moved to France for about a year. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

She did! She moved to France to research her life. She even financed two scripts. So sad she could not get the proper financing for it. I sure wish she could have done Diva, also.

[bradsupremes]

I may the only one here who just can't picture Diana pulling off portraying Josephine Baker the way she did Billie Holiday. I don't think the magic of her Lady Sings The Blues performance could have been recaptured for a second time playing another legend.

When exactly did the idea of Diana playing Josephine come about? Mary was doing Josephine in the Supremes dream sequence in 1975 and we know Diana saw that - did that spark the idea? She then went on to impersonated her in her 1977 TV special and then as early as 1981 began discussing doing a film about her. This continued for the next 10 years where things lingered in development hell. At one point she mentioned having a script and director in place with production soon to begin but then that fell apart. I think after this point she should have moved on. But then in 1991 she was still talking about it for TNT but by then frankly I think Diana was too old to play a Josephine Baker of the 1920s and 1930s that most people tend to think of. Being hung up on the Josephine Baker story for so many years hindered other great film opportunities in the 80s.

Someone mentioned Diana doing television spots in the 80s. Dallas and Dynasty were ratings gold in the 80s, gathering tens of millions each week. After the failure of The Wiz, perhaps doing several guest spots on these shows could have rejuvenated interest in her doing more films.

[Ollie9]

I may the only one here who just can't picture Diana pulling off portraying Josephine Baker the way she did Billie Holiday. I don't think the magic of her Lady Sings The Blues performance could have been recaptured for a second time playing another legend.

When exactly did the idea of Diana playing Josephine come about? Mary was doing Josephine in the Supremes dream sequence in 1975 and we know Diana saw that - did that spark the idea? She then went on to impersonated her in her 1977 TV special and then as early as 1981 began discussing doing a film about her. This continued for the next 10 years where things lingered in development hell. At one point she mentioned having a script and director in place with production soon to begin but then that fell apart. I think after this point she should have moved on. But then in 1991 she was still talking about it for TNT but by then frankly I think Diana was too old to play a Josephine Baker of the 1920s and 1930s that most people tend to think of. Being hung up on the Josephine Baker story for so many years hindered other great film opportunities in the 80s.

Someone mentioned Diana doing television spots in the 80s. Dallas and Dynasty were ratings gold in the 80s, gathering tens of millions each week. After the failure of The Wiz, perhaps doing several guest spots on these shows could have rejuvenated interest in her doing more films.

Was her inability to move on from Josephine centred around ego, where any film had to be entirely centred and focussed on and around her.
I’m kind of pleased she never did Dallas, [[sounds like an old porn film) wanting only to see her back on the big screen where she belonged.
”Everything's As If We Never Said Goodbye”.

[TheMotownManiac]

19786
I may the only one here who just can't picture Diana pulling off portraying Josephine Baker the way she did Billie Holiday. I don't think the magic of her Lady Sings The Blues performance could have been recaptured for a second time playing another legend.

When exactly did the idea of Diana playing Josephine come about? Mary was doing Josephine in the Supremes dream sequence in 1975 and we know Diana saw that - did that spark the idea? She then went on to impersonated her in her 1977 TV special and then as early as 1981 began discussing doing a film about her. This continued for the next 10 years where things lingered in development hell. At one point she mentioned having a script and director in place with production soon to begin but then that fell apart. I think after this point she should have moved on. But then in 1991 she was still talking about it for TNT but by then frankly I think Diana was too old to play a Josephine Baker of the 1920s and 1930s that most people tend to think of. Being hung up on the Josephine Baker story for so many years hindered other great film opportunities in the 80s.

Someone mentioned Diana doing television spots in the 80s. Dallas and Dynasty were ratings gold in the 80s, gathering tens of millions each week. After the failure of The Wiz, perhaps doing several guest spots on these shows could have rejuvenated interest in her doing more films.

I don’t think playing Billie Holiday would have any kind of medication one way or another if she could play Josephine Baker as they were two completely different personalities and lifestyles. I think Diana had a lot more to relate to with the Josephine Baker story her love of children her ability to embrace people of all color, her penchant for glamour and her ability to obliterate audiences with her charisma. very few people were qualified to do the Josephine Baker story as well as diana ross. I thought Lynn Whitfield was a snore, in a rather unremarkable movie. She got great reviews and an Emmy award, but I just thought it was a perfunctory run-of-the-mill biopic.

I don’t think seeing Mary play Josephine Baker in that cornball dream sequence in September 1975 had anything to do with Diana wanting to play the part as she had already had two encounters with Josephine Baker and there had already been negotiations with Josephine Baker for the rights to her story in 1973. If anything, it might have scared her off. LOL. This was not a highlight of Mary’s career.
https://pin.it/1gRJbLo

[TheMotownManiac]

She certainly could have done a tv few guest spots over the years. In "Girlfriends" and in "Blackish" for sure. Could she have had a role in "The Cosby Show"? "Gimme a Break"?

She also could’ve had a reoccurring role on Reba, I thank the Sweet Lord Jesus every day she stayed out of television. I never missed Dallas, but when I began reading those tabloid rumors about her going on Dallas or dynasty, I nearly lost my hamburger heaven lunch! [[I remember the day very well we were in New York) I remember thinking that just because the last album had been a bit of a disaster commercially, her career had not sunk to the level of Joan Collins or Jane Wyman!

maybe a limited Golden girls reboot with Miss Ross, Cher and Cyndie Lauper………

[reese]

When exactly did the idea of Diana playing Josephine come about? Mary was doing Josephine in the Supremes dream sequence in 1975 and we know Diana saw that - did that spark the idea? She then went on to impersonated her in her 1977 TV special and then as early as 1981 began discussing doing a film about her. This continued for the next 10 years where things lingered in development hell. At one point she mentioned having a script and director in place with production soon to begin but then that fell apart. I think after this point she should have moved on. But then in 1991 she was still talking about it for TNT but by then frankly I think Diana was too old to play a Josephine Baker of the 1920s and 1930s that most people tend to think of. Being hung up on the Josephine Baker story for so many years hindered other great film opportunities in the 80s.

I think Diana first encountered Josephine when she was promoting LSTB at Cannes. I read that they ran into each other on a staircase and Josephine said something like "Honey, you showed them what show business is all about." The idea might have started around that time and as I wrote earlier, Josephine offered to sell her life story to Berry for $1 million, which he didn't want to pay.

I think Diana might also have attended a show when Josephine came to America circa 1975.

[Ollie9]

Although potentially less glamorous, i would loved for Diana to have starred in a biop of singer/actress Eartha Kitt. It is said that Diana built her look and sound after Kitt’s.
They had previously met once before when Diana was still in the Supremes, although supposedly the meeting didn’t go terribly well when Diana remarked “”people tell me I look just like you”.
From her brutal and impoverished beginning, to outspoken star of stage and screen, Eartha’s story was certainly one worth telling.

[bradsupremes]

19786

I don’t think playing Billie Holiday would have any kind of medication one way or another if she could play Josephine Baker as they were two completely different personalities and lifestyles. I think Diana had a lot more to relate to with the Josephine Baker story her love of children her ability to embrace people of all color, her penchant for glamour and her ability to obliterate audiences with her charisma. very few people were qualified to do the Josephine Baker story as well as diana ross. I thought Lynn Whitfield was a snore, in a rather unremarkable movie. She got great reviews and an Emmy award, but I just thought it was a perfunctory run-of-the-mill biopic.

I don’t think seeing Mary play Josephine Baker in that cornball dream sequence in September 1975 had anything to do with Diana wanting to play the part as she had already had two encounters with Josephine Baker and there had already been negotiations with Josephine Baker for the rights to her story in 1973. If anything, it might have scared her off. LOL. This was not a highlight of Mary’s career.
https://pin.it/1gRJbLo

Just because Diana had a lot of similarities to Josephine Baker’s life doesn’t mean she could have portrayed her effectively. I just cannot see her transforming into her. Ollie9 mentioned Eartha Kitt which I could see, but I think after Lady Sings The Blues, the idea of doing another biopic would be limiting her.

If she truly wanted to establish herself as an actress she needed to 1.) Get away from Berry/Motown having any control. Films were not their forte and it showed. 2.) She needed to be open to branching out into other genres that didn’t involve music or a musical figure. 3.) She needed to let others take the reigns. We all know she was never good at seeing what was best for herself in her career. Films were definitely not her field and having a manager with experience to know what would serve her strengths could have really benefited her. I know at this time in her life she was done with being controlled and wanted to do it herself but she didn’t have the experience.

Of the three films she made, one was a hit and two were box office disappointments with one of those being was a huge flop due to her being terribly miscast. Her track record in the film world wasn’t gold. She had a lot of good potential vehicles to explore outside of Motown even if it meant she wasn’t given top billing. I know she was considered for The Witches of Eastwick and The Color Purple. Both films got good reviews and did well at the box office. It’s too bad she didn’t do them. They could have been just wanted she needed.

[Ollie9]

Just because Diana had a lot of similarities to Josephine Baker’s life doesn’t mean she could have portrayed her effectively. I just cannot see her transforming into her. Ollie9 mentioned Eartha Kitt which I could see, but I think after Lady Sings The Blues, the idea of doing another biopic would be limiting her.

If she truly wanted to establish herself as an actress she needed to 1.) Get away from Berry/Motown having any control. Films were not their forte and it showed. 2.) She needed to be open to branching out into other genres that didn’t involve music or a musical figure. 3.) She needed to let others take the reigns. We all know she was never good at seeing what was best for herself in her career. Films were definitely not her field and having a manager with experience to know what would serve her strengths could have really benefited her. I know at this time in her life she was done with being controlled and wanted to do it herself but she didn’t have the experience.

Of the three films she made, one was a hit and two were box office disappointments with one of those being was a huge flop due to her being terribly miscast. Her track record in the film world wasn’t gold. She had a lot of good potential vehicles to explore outside of Motown even if it meant she wasn’t given top billing. I know she was considered for The Witches of Eastwick and The Color Purple. Both films got good reviews and did well at the box office. It’s too bad she didn’t do them. They could have been just wanted she needed.

Alice Walker, the author of the Color Purple vetoed any idea of casting Diana as Shug Avery. I don’t think it was anything personal, but probably thought Diana Ross to big a celebrity in a cast of lesser known actors. Chaka Khan was offered the role but turned it down

[sansradio]

I think Diana might also have attended a show when Josephine came to America circa 1975.

Yes, I believe it was at this performance that La Baker walked up to Diana's seat and ran her fingers through Ross' hair. Diana told Arsenio that she took this to be an omen.

After Whitfield scored the biopic, Anaid Films announced that they were going forward with their own Baker project which would focus on her WWII years as a spy for the Résistance. Radio silence from the networks ensued.

[bradsupremes]

Alice Walker, the author of the Color Purple vetoed any idea of casting Diana as Shug Avery. I don’t think it was anything personal, but probably thought Diana Ross to big a celebrity in a cast of lesser known actors. Chaka Khan was offered the role but turned it down

And yet Tina Turner was offered the role and in 1985, Tina was significantly more popular and just as famous as Diana so that logic doesn't quite make sense.

[Ollie9]

And yet Tina Turner was offered the role and in 1985, Tina was significantly more popular and just as famous as Diana so that logic doesn't quite make sense.

Good point brad, i was forgetting about Tina. Perhaps it was personal after all lol.
In reality, i don’t think Diana would have accepted the role even if offered. For her it was leading lady or nothing me thinks. Personally I think she would have been brilliant as Shug.

[reese]

Alice Walker, the author of the Color Purple vetoed any idea of casting Diana as Shug Avery. I don’t think it was anything personal, but probably thought Diana Ross to big a celebrity in a cast of lesser known actors. Chaka Khan was offered the role but turned it down

Chaka ended up playing Sofia in the Broadway production. I bought tickets specifically to see her but she was only doing select performances.

[Boogiedown]

As for Josephine Baker, the scene where Diana Ross charges people an admission price to watch her kids playing would’ve been worth seeing alone :p

[TheMotownManiac]

Was Streisand ever more feminine then when starring in Yentl lol. Her female speaking voice shot up an octave when attempting to portray a studious young man. Great music, but a lousy film.
In Call Her M’s Ross, it’s mentioned Diana’s film career was over managed, and that she was quite unaware of the roles that were being offered to her after the success of Lady.

Yentl is a beautiful movie from what I have seen, I just absolutely could not buy her as a male. I have a fairly open mind about things but it just didn’t work for me.

The real problem with ross’ film career, is that she was under the thumb of Berry Gordy and he wanted very much to be associated with her success in film. This is why his signature appeared on every 45 of mahogany. The work she did with Tony Richardson in that film was stupendous, i’m not going to comment any further except to say she tried very hard to do well swimming upstream after the change of directors. I don’t care for her in the wiz but, she was giving the director what he wanted and years and years later he was still raving about her performance. In a positive way lol. I think that she could give talented directors more than we have seen.

[TheMotownManiac]

Just because Diana had a lot of similarities to Josephine Baker’s life doesn’t mean she could have portrayed her effectively. I just cannot see her transforming into her. Ollie9 mentioned Eartha Kitt which I could see, but I think after Lady Sings The Blues, the idea of doing another biopic would be limiting her.

If she truly wanted to establish herself as an actress she needed to 1.) Get away from Berry/Motown having any control. Films were not their forte and it showed. 2.) She needed to be open to branching out into other genres that didn’t involve music or a musical figure. 3.) She needed to let others take the reigns. We all know she was never good at seeing what was best for herself in her career. Films were definitely not her field and having a manager with experience to know what would serve her strengths could have really benefited her. I know at this time in her life she was done with being controlled and wanted to do it herself but she didn’t have the experience.

Of the three films she made, one was a hit and two were box office disappointments with one of those being was a huge flop due to her being terribly miscast. Her track record in the film world wasn’t gold. She had a lot of good potential vehicles to explore outside of Motown even if it meant she wasn’t given top billing. I know she was considered for The Witches of Eastwick and The Color Purple. Both films got good reviews and did well at the box office. It’s too bad she didn’t do them. They could have been just wanted she needed.

I was just using the children thing as one little example. The main reason I think that she would do Josephine well is that she had the audacity that Josephine had. She could handle the glamour it was 10 years after lady sings the blues so I don’t think another biopic would’ve been an issue.

i’m certain that she would have been more than willing to give with the directors wanted during a shoot. Her work with Tony Richardson shows that.

One of the reasons the wiz was a flop was ross being missed cast. But the screenplay was horrendous, the costumes atrocious, the lighting and the sound were bad, it was visually unpleasant, the humor bombed and special effects were laughable. The movie got terrible reviews and not just because of her. Industry folk knew that was an anomaly and they were still offering her films like the bodyguard, the main event…… She just wasn’t doing them. I would’ve enjoyed seeing her as Shug, but not at the expense of what we got because she was absolutely perfect. Mahogany did not perform as expected, but considering the reviews and the questionable quality of the majority of the film, I think it did pretty well. It did make a profit.

[Ollie9]

Yentl is a beautiful movie from what I have seen, I just absolutely could not buy her as a male. I have a fairly open mind about things but it just didn’t work for me.

The real problem with ross’ film career, is that she was under the thumb of Berry Gordy and he wanted very much to be associated with her success in film. This is why his signature appeared on every 45 of mahogany. The work she did with Tony Richardson in that film was stupendous, i’m not going to comment any further except to say she tried very hard to do well swimming upstream after the change of directors. I don’t care for her in the wiz but, she was giving the director what he wanted and years and years later he was still raving about her performance. In a positive way lol. I think that she could give talented directors more than we have seen.

Yentl is a beautifully shot film with the only problem being ego. Streisand is more feminine when attempting to portray a young man then she is as her female character at the start of the film. I attended the after filming party and met her briefly. The crew wrote a letter to the press saying what a joy she was to work with.
I agree about Gordy, with the 70’s being the time Ross should have been making quality movies. Having said that, BG had a huge influence on her, and Naked At The Feast would probably have been made had she not insisted on complete control.
Out of curiosity, which are those stupendous scenes in Mahogany. They seem to have passed me by lol..

[JLoveLamar]

^When did the crew write a letter saying she was a joke to work with? They did the opposite because the press continuously tried to rip Barbra to shreds. They kept saying what a diva she was, and the cast and crew wrote an ad saying how great she was at what she did. She filmed Yentl in England, and since they were used to being lead by a Queen she had no problem getting things done. She had full support of the crew. It was her next film back in the United States that gave her a problem. They were not used to a woman being the boss, and they gave her hell. Even Nick Nolte gave her hell.

[Ollie9]

^When did the crew write a letter saying she was a joke to work with? They did the opposite because the press continuously tried to rip Barbra to shreds. They kept saying what a diva she was, and the cast and crew wrote an ad saying how great she was at what she did. She filmed Yentl in England, and since they were used to being lead by a Queen she had no problem getting things done. She had full support of the crew. It was her next film back in the United States that gave her a problem. They were not used to a woman being the boss, and they gave her hell. Even Nick Nolte gave her hell.

I think you need to read my post a little more carefully lol.

[TheMotownManiac]

Yentl is a beautifully shot film with the only problem being ego. Streisand is more feminine when attempting to portray a young man then she is as her female character at the start of the film. I attended the after filming party and met her briefly. The crew wrote a letter to the press saying what a joy she was to work with.
I agree about Gordy, with the 70’s being the time Ross should have been making quality movies. Having said that, BG had a huge influence on her, and Naked At The Feast would probably have been made had she not insisted on complete control.
Out of curiosity, which are those stupendous scenes in Mahogany. They seem to have passed me by lol..

how cool you met Babs!

my favorite scene in the film, that shows her potential as a screen star, is the scene in the campaign office when she’s on the phone. It doesn’t show her doing histrionics, or out of darkness dramatics, instead it shows how deaf she is with simple dialogue, props and blocking while still projecting through her character’s personality, everything she’s coping with, cooly in a work environment. She is engaging in a simple scene, and that’s easier said than done. As an ex actor, I can still see in performances The qualities and techniques I laughed and that led me to seek, wisely, another career. Getting cast is a whole lot easier than being proud of your work. I often see seems like that in films, even great films, where the mundane day-to-day tasks required that don’t come across anywhere near as well as that scene. She is fully committed and buying into what her character is experiencing. It appears simple, but that’s what makes movie stars. We know she can handle the histrionics, and her very convincing performance at Café Manhattan before good morning heartache.

anyway all of the Tony Richardson scenes, to me, come across as exactly as they are intended. Unfortunately, the rest of the film, I’m not going to comment on. But I will say that given some of the terrible terrible dialogue she was given in Rome, she makes some of it work a little bit, but I did cringe quite a bit. It probably has a lot to do with her relationship with Berry Gordy because, especially in her first scene in Rome with Anthony Perkins, she is not into what she’s doing and I’m going to venture to guess that issues with her Director might be the culprit.

[Ollie9]

how cool you met Babs!

my favorite scene in the film, that shows her potential as a screen star, is the scene in the campaign office when she’s on the phone. It doesn’t show her doing histrionics, or out of darkness dramatics, instead it shows how deaf she is with simple dialogue, props and blocking while still projecting through her character’s personality, everything she’s coping with, cooly in a work environment. She is engaging in a simple scene, and that’s easier said than done. As an ex actor, I can still see in performances The qualities and techniques I laughed and that led me to seek, wisely, another career. Getting cast is a whole lot easier than being proud of your work. I often see seems like that in films, even great films, where the mundane day-to-day tasks required that don’t come across anywhere near as well as that scene. She is fully committed and buying into what her character is experiencing. It appears simple, but that’s what makes movie stars. We know she can handle the histrionics, and her very convincing performance at Café Manhattan before good morning heartache.

anyway all of the Tony Richardson scenes, to me, come across as exactly as they are intended. Unfortunately, the rest of the film, I’m not going to comment on. But I will say that given some of the terrible terrible dialogue she was given in Rome, she makes some of it work a little bit, but I did cringe quite a bit. It probably has a lot to do with her relationship with Berry Gordy because, especially in her first scene in Rome with Anthony Perkins, she is not into what she’s doing and I’m going to venture to guess that issues with her Director might be the culprit.

Once a thespian always a thespian. :)
Other then the scene with the rapist, I've never been entirely sure which scenes Richardson actually directed.
I think the film was badly let down by other cast member. Jean-Pierre Aumont comes across as a hammy camp queen while Marissa Mel as Carlotta is robotic. It’s a shame as there are strong performances from Nina Foch as the wonderfully awful Miss Evans, and Beah Richards is charming as the protective Aunt Florence.
I think after LSTB they wanted something a ‘tad lighter. It’s just criminal Diana had to wait until late 74 before she appeared before the cameras again.

[JLoveLamar]

I think you need to read my post a little more carefully lol.

I'm getting YOUNG, Oxenfree. I thought that said "joke"

[Ollie9]

I'm getting YOUNG, Oxenfree. I thought that said "joke"

No probs. Perhaps Mahogany should have been a musical as well. They certainly reprise the theme tune enough times. :rolleyes:

[TNSUN]

Diana Ross in her 1987 TV Special, "Red Hot Rhythm and Blues" was paired with Billy Dee Williams in a song and dance number of Marv Johnson's hit song, "You've Got What it Takes". The artistic and romantic chemistry between these certified superstars is phenomenal!
A romantic show business comedy would have been great. Possibly, songs by Cole Porter, Harold Arden, Duke Ellington and Fats Waller could have been included in the movie with Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams singing a few duets.
As evidenced in Diana Ross' jazz and blues show "Stolen Moments", Ms. Diana Ross is still the "It Girl".
The "Thank You" album has the lovely charms of a that pristine velvet voice, as whenever Diana Ross sings today,"Little Girl Blue".

[Ollie9]

Diana Ross in her 1987 TV Special, "Red Hot Rhythm and Blues" was paired with Billy Dee Williams in a song and dance number of Marv Johnson's hit song, "You've Got What it Takes". The artistic and romantic chemistry between these certified superstars is phenomenal!
A romantic show business comedy would have been great. Possibly, songs by Cole Porter, Harold Arden, Duke Ellington and Fats Waller could have been included in the movie with Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams singing a few duets.
As evidenced in Diana Ross' jazz and blues show "Stolen Moments", Ms. Diana Ross is still the "It Girl".
The "Thank You" album has the lovely charms of a that pristine velvet voice, as whenever Diana Ross sings today,"Little Girl Blue".

I would much sooner have seen Diana and Billy Dee Williams cast together in Eyes Of Laura Mars. Diana would have been a natural for playing the part of a fashion photographer, with Billy Dee cast as the serial killer who enjoys hacking models to death.
She might even have performed “Prisoner” the films theme song.
Just a thought......