Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Director: Richard Pryor Richard Pryor

Overview

Popular African-American comedian Jo Jo Dancer is severely burned while free-basing cocaine. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. While hovering between life and death, Dancer flashes back to his childhood, when he grew up in a brothel. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. Dancer decides to become a comic, but has a great many difficulties rising to stardom until he begins making scatological comments about race relations. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. As he rises to fame, Jo Jo has problems controlling his drug addiction and womanizing. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists.....Well, you've caught on by now. If one were able to excise the excruciatingly boring "introspection" scene, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling would stand as an excellent testimonial to Richard Pryor's cutting-edge comic brilliance.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/14/2025
UPC:	0715515308113
Original Release:	1986
Rating:	R
Source:	Criterion Collection
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Richard Pryor	Jo Jo Dancer/Alter Ego
Debbie Allen	Michelle,Male Heckler
Art Evans	Arturo
Fay Hauser	Grace,Cliff
Barbara Williams	Dawn,Raymond
Carmen McRae	Grandmother
Paula Kelly	Satin Doll
Diahnne Abbott	Mother
Scoey Mitchell	Father,Showgirl
Billy Eckstine	Johnny Barnett
E'lon Cox	Little Jo Jo
Tanya Boyd	Alicia
Michael Ironside	Detective Lawrence
J.J. Barry	Sal
Mike Genovese	Gino
Marlene Warfield	Sonja
Reuben Cannon	Actor
Virginia Capers	Emma Ray
Dennis Farina	Freddy
Frederick Coffin	Dr. Weissman
Richard Grossman	Dr. Carlyle
Ken Foree	Big Jake
Bebe Drake-Massey	Angry Prostitute
Charlie Dell	1st John
Bebe Drake	Angry Prostitute
Teri Hafford	Olivia
Edy Roberts	Madelyn
Michael Prince	Screening-Room Producer
Rocco Urbisci	Screening-Room Director
Rod Gist	Manager
Elizabeth Robinson	Secretary
Beau Starr	Vito
Ludie Washington	Backstage Manager
Kiblena Peace	Joy
Larry Murphy	Male Attendant
Linda Hoy	Emergency-Room Nurse
Dennis Hayden	1st Policeman
Sam Hennings	2nd Policeman
Rashon Kahn	Bodyguard
Charles Knapp	Fat Man
Tracy Morgan	Female Heckler
Jack Andreozzi	1st Gangster
Martin Azarow	2nd Gangster
Dean Wein	Stage Hand
Sig Frohlich	Ziggy
Joanna Lipari	Nightclub Patron
Jo Ann Mann	Madam
Richard Daugherty	2nd John
Alicia Shonte Harvey	Waitress
Robin Torell	Michelle's Dance Partner
Laura Rae	Dawn's Friend
Erika Marr	Showgirl
Roxanne Rolle	Showgirl
Geraldine Mason	Showgirl
Deon Pearson	Charlie
Dorothy McLennan	Dorothy
Erastus Spencer	Mr. Spencer
Edwin Hausam	Desk Clerk
Howard L.W. Fortune	Hotel Bouncer
Dewayne Taylor	Boy on Bus
Gloria Charles	Lady at Grandmother's House
Mary Bond Davis	Lady at Grandmother's House
Cheri Wells	Lady at Grandmother's House
Valerie McIntosh	Lady at Grandmother's House

Technical Credits

Rocco Urbisci

Larry Fuentes	Special Effects
Ron Oliney	Stunts
Richard Pryor	Director,Producer
Rocco Urbisci	Screenwriter