Diana Ross portrays legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday in this award-winning 1972 biographical drama. R. 2 hours, 24 minutes.
Beginning with Billie Holiday's traumatic youth, the film depicts her early attempts at a singing career and 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.
The film is being screened in advance of Paul Alexander's visit to the library on Feb. 20 to discuss "Bitter Crop," his newly released biography of Billie Holiday.