The Josephine Baker Story
The Josephine Baker Story is an American television film that first aired on HBO on March 16, 1991. It stars Lynn Whitfield as Josephine Baker, who is regarded for being the first international African-American star, despite her more prominent success in Europe. The film was generally well received by critics and has become a success on home video and DVD. The original music score was composed by Georges Delerue. The film was nominated for several awards and won 5 Emmy Awards for art direction, costume design, hairstyling, directing by Brian Gibson and for acting by Lynn Whitfield.
| The Josephine Baker Story | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Biography Drama History Music Romance |
| Screenplay by | Ron Hutchinson |
| Story by | Ron Hutchinson Michael Zagor |
| Directed by | Brian Gibson |
| Starring | Lynn Whitfield Rubén Blades David Dukes Craig T. Nelson Louis Gossett Jr. |
| Music by | Georges Delerue Carolyn Dennis (singing voice: Josephine Baker) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Robert Halmi Jr. Robert Halmi Sr. David Puttnam |
| Producers | John Kemeny Madeleine Henrié (associate producer) Alisa Taylor (associate producer) |
| Cinematography | Elemér Ragályi |
| Running time | 130 minutes |
| Production companies | Anglia Television HBO Pictures Sonar Entertainment |
| Distributor | HBO |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release |
|
Plot
Born into a poor family in St. Louis, Josephine Baker struggles to make a name for herself on the vaudeville circuit. As her career progresses, so does her resentment of racial prejudice, motivating her to move to Paris—where in a short time, her exotic dance routines make her the toast of the town. Swayed by the influence of her manager, she takes the act back to America. It fails, but Josephine perseveres, proving herself as much humanitarian as entertainer.
Cast
- Lynn Whitfield as Josephine Baker
- Rubén Blades as Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
- David Dukes as Jo Bouillon
- Louis Gossett Jr. as Sidney Williams
- Craig T. Nelson as Walter Winchell
- Kene Holliday as Sidney Bechet
- Vivian Bonnell as Josephine's mother
- Vivienne Eytle as Josephine's sister
- Mayah McCoy as Josephine Baker Age 8
- Ainsley Curry as Josephine Baker Age 13