Lady Sings the Blues (1972) 

 

Release Date: October 12, 1972

Director: Sidney J. Furie

Writer(s):  Chris Clark (screenplay), Suzanne De Passe (screenplay) 

Starring: Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams

Estimated budget: $9.6 million

 

Pop star Diana Ross portrays legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday in this biographical drama. Beginning with Holiday's traumatic youth, the film depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay (Billy Dee Williams), 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.