This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most distinguished Black films of the 20th century, Lady Sings the Blues. To commemorate the occasion, Turner Classics is screening the film in select Regal Cinemas theaters nationwide.
The 1972 film is liberally based on the complicated life of Jazz singer Billie Holiday, her troubled relationship with Louis McKay, and her eventual rise to stardom. Starring Diana Ross as Holiday, Lady Sings the Blues is considered a cult classic.
Holiday, a four-time Grammy award winner, has remained an influential force in music, and her most well-known and impactful song is perhaps “Strange Fruit,” where she remarkably shed light on the impact of lynching on America. The recent biographical drama The United States vs. Billie Holiday dives into the song’s controversy and details Holiday’s struggles with fame and addiction.
Lady Sings the Blues will be available to watch in a theater near you on Sunday, February 20th. Purchase a ticket at your local box office, or by visiting Fathom Events.
