Lady Sings the Blues

Directed by Sidney J. Furie

With Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan and Paul Hampton

Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her 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.