The Josephine Baker Story (1991) (TV)

Director:

Brian Gibson

Writers (WGA):

Ron Hutchinson (story) and
Michael Zagor (story) ...

Release Date:

16 March 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | Music

Tagline:

Before Madonna. Before Marilyn. There was Josephine.

Plot:

Biography of the African-American who became a major performer in the Paris cabarets of the 1920's and 1930's...

Plot Keywords:

Performer | 1930s | African American | 1920s | Female Nudity

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Lynn Whitfield	...	Josephine Baker
Rubén Blades	...	Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
David Dukes	...	Jo Boullion
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Sidney Williams
Craig T. Nelson	...	Walter Winchell
Kene Holliday	...	Sidney Bechet
Vivian Bonnell	...	Josephine's Mother
Mayah McCoy	...	Josephine -Age 8
Ainslie Currie	...	Josephine - Age 13
Pierre Magny	...	Poul Colin
Franco Britt	...	Victor (as Franco Iiriti)
George Faison	...	Emcee in Harlem Club
Robert Lesser	...	Copa City Manager
Luis Reyes	...	Josephine's Father
Vivienne Eytle	...	Josephine's Sister

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Germany:12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

Anglia Television

Trivia:

In 1975, Diahann Carroll was announced for a TV version of this story.

Quotes:

Josephine Baker: [after being told she must use the hotel's back entrance] Now I know I'm home.

Soundtrack:

I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)

A revealing look at an admirable woman

Josephine Baker (Lynn Whitfield) grew up in poverty and, at a very young age, displayed her talents on Vaudeville. Unhappy with the treatment of African Americans in the 1920's in her homeland, she travels to France and makes it big as an exotic dancer and singer. Loved by the Europeans, Josephine's manager/boyfriend (Rubin Blades) decides to have her return to Broadway. She fails miserably. Yet, Josephine remains a strong, outspoken person who soon takes her show on the road and turns heads. She also finds time to try to elevate the treatment of African Americans and to do acts of charitable worth. But, will Josephine ever be truly happy?

This is a brief look at a complex woman. Her indomitable spirit is brought to life in Whitfield's strong performance. Josephine is remembered for her scandalous costumes and risque dancing yet, as this movie proves, she had much more to contribute to humanity. The performance by Blades is also top-notch. As for the costumes, they are revealing yet always stunning. In summary, this movie deserves an audience and one wider than the African-American community. On the next trip to the video store or library, give it a try. Viewers will be entertained as well as enlightened by Baker's admirable life story.