Sparkle

Director: Sam O'Steen Sam O'Steen

Overview

A trio of musically talented Harlem sisters rise to become major stars of the '50s. Unfortunately, their sudden popularity causes much turmoil in their lives.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/04/2007
UPC:	0085391184317
Original Release:	1976
Rating:	PG
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:38:00
Sales rank:	60,532

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Philip M. Thomas	Stix,Stix
Irene Cara	Sparkle
Lonette McKee	Sister
Dwan Smith	Delores
Mary Alice	Effie
Dorian Harewood	Levi
Tony King	Satin
Beatrice Winde	Mrs. Waters
Paul Lambert	Moe Gerber
Joyce Easton	Lee
DeWayne Jessie	Ham
Norma Miller	Doreen
Talya Ferro	Miss Taylor
Robert W. Delegall	Mr. Daniels
Armelia McQueen	Ann
Don Bexley	Bubbles
Timmie Rogers	Comic M.C.
Ken Renard	Shimmy
John Hawker	Hotel Clerk
Curtis Mayfield	Composer

Technical Credits

Joel Schumacher

Peter S. Brown	Executive Producer
Sam O'Steen	Director
Howard Rosenman	Producer,Producer
Beryl Vertue	Executive Producer,Producer
Joel Schumacher	Screenwriter
Peter Brown	Producer,Executive Producer
Tom Overton	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Like Dreamgirls, the big-screen musical this DVD release is cleverly timed to capitalize upon, Sparkle takes its inspiration from the spectacular success of the Supremes. This entertainingly overwrought 1976 musical tells the rags-to-riches story of three Harlem siblings -- sexy Sister (Lonette McKee), sweet Sparkle (Irene Cara), and grumpy realist Delores (Dwan Smith) -- who attempt to break out of the ghetto by parlaying their singing ability into a career. With help from neighborhood hustler Stix (a pre-Miami Vice Philip Michael Thomas), they begin to walk on down the bumpy road to pop stardom. Sister, for instance, gets involved with an abusive pimp on her way to a cocaine-encrusted, Billie Holiday-flavored destiny. Increasing acrimony between Sister and Delores eventually leads the latter to split town, and ultimately Sparkle is left to go out on her own. By now she’s in love with Stix, but the Mob has its hooks in him, and disaster appears to be waiting just around the corner. For pure, unadulterated hokum, it’s tough to beat Joel Schumacher’s screenplay, the first big-screen effort from the future Batman fizzler and Phantom of the Opera director. (He followed Sparkle with the comedy Car Wash and then adapted Broadway's The Wiz into a showcase for real-life Supreme Diana Ross, before cementing his black-cinema bona fides by writing and directing the Mr. T vehicle D.C. Cab.) Still, the cast plays it straight, with both Cara and McKee quite effective in sketchy roles. Even those unfamiliar with the movie may recognize nuggets from Curtis Mayfield's superb soundtrack: The songs, including the classic "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," were originally released with great success as an Aretha Franklin album in 1976. The CD is included in this two-disc package, affording an interesting contrast to the renditions delivered in the film by Cara and McKee.