Lady Sings the Blues: Special Edition

Pop star Diana Ross made a smashing screen debut in this historically inaccurate but dramatically satisfying and musically superlative 1972 biography of the legendary “Lady Day,” blues singer Billie Holiday. Loosely—very loosely—based on a memoir written by Holiday with William Duffy, the bulk of the film focuses on Holiday's tempestuous relationship with sharpie Louis McKay (Billy Dee Williams), whom the script paints as the only man in her life (but who, in actuality, was her third husband). Sidney Furie's competent direction kept things moving, but while some attempt was made to get the period details right, Ross' performances of Holiday's standards clung to her own vocal style rather than emulating that of her character, resulting in a not-quite-successful hybrid of Motown pop and Harlem blues. Of course, viewers unfamiliar with Holiday or her music didn't mind, entranced as they were with the erstwhile Supreme, who proved to have substantial cinematic appeal. Though seriously flawed, Lady Sings the Blues still warrants viewing, if only for Ross' interesting renditions of classic standards, such as “All of Me,” “The Man I Love,” “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” “My Man,” “I Cried for You,” and, of course, the title tune. Boasting a fine transfer, this “special collector's” edition also features a commentary track by Furie, executive producer and music-biz legend Berry Gordy, and famed manager Shelly Berger, as well as deleted scenes and a “making-of” featurette. Recommended, overall. (E. Hulse)