Warner Bros, 1976
Starring Irene Cara, Phillip Michael Thomas, Lonette McKee, and Dwan Smith
Directed by Sam O'steen
Music and Lyrics by Curtis Mayfield
If this title sounds familiar, I reviewed the 2012 remake way back in February 2019. I figured it was well past time to cover the original film. Though this wasn't a hit on first release, it later picked up a rather large cult audience, especially among black Americans who admired its gritty portrayal of the time. Let's start in Harlem this time to see how different this version of the story of three sisters whose rise to fame is derailed by drugs, bad men, and bad choices is...
The Story: In 1958, songwriting hopeful Stix (Thomas) rounds up his best friend Levi (Dorian Harewood), his girlfriend Sparkle (Cara), and her sisters Dolores (Smith) and Sister (McKee) to perform as a group at an amateur show. They win the top prize, but Levi drops out right away. Stix convinces a local nightclub to take a chance on the remaining three girls. Sister is the breakout star with her raw sexuality and amazing performances. She attracts the attention of gangster Satin (Tony King) and moves in with him. The relationship is far from healthy. He uses and abuses her, giving her black eyes and getting her hooked on cocaine.
Dolores gets fed up with their mother Effie (Mary Alice) ignoring the whole thing and being a maid for a while family and leaves in search of racial equality. The cocaine eventually proves to be too much for Sister. After her death, Stix takes off for a construction job, leaving Sparkle heartbroken. It'll take Sister's funeral to patch up hurt feelings between the two. Levi's already in trouble with the mob, and Stix may have trouble of his own when he turns to a white mobster who wants a piece of Sparkle's talent, too.
The Song and Dance: What I like about this one is the almost documentary-esque grit in this story. The low-budget production and filming in and around the real Harlem makes it feel real, even when the plot gets too cliched for its own good. This especially applies to Sparkle and Stix; Cara and Thomas are a lot more believable as crazy kids in love. McKee take top honors as the shy sister coming into her own and the sexier sister who goes down a dark path when she hitches up with the wrong man. I also like Mary Alice as their gentle mother who spent her whole life serving white families and her own daughters.
Favorite Number: We kick off with "Jump" at the amateur show. Though Stix, Levi, and the sisters all perform well, Sister is obviously the stand out as she wriggles and flirts with an appreciative crowd. "Hooked On Your Love" and the hit "Something He Can Feel" are the montages for Sister and the Sisters as they rise to nightclub fame...and Sister descends into her downward spiral pattern of abuse and drug addiction. Cara and a choir raise the roof with "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" as Sparkle grieves for her adored sibling at her funeral.
Trivia: The movie was a flop in 1976, but the Aretha Franklin soundtrack went over far better.
What I Don't Like: The melodramatic plot isn't any less-so here than in the remake, and it can sometimes be a little hard to take. I'd love to know what happened to Dolores after she left to "find freedom." She's never mentioned again. Doesn't even show up at her sister's funeral or to see Sparkle's debut in the finale. Sister's descent into drugs is pretty rushed, too. There's also Satin being a generic gangster. I know he's supposed to be imitating whites, but does that have to mean he comes off as a stock violent villain?
The Big Finale: I ultimately liked the cast a little bit better here, especially the ladies...but the remake has a lot that's good about it, too. I recommend checking out both if you're a fan of the Supremes and similar girl groups or are interested in two different presentations of African-American musical history.
Home Media: Though not released on DVD until 2006, it's now easy to find on DVD and streaming, often for under $10.
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