Lonette McKee actually made her feature film debut in this film.īruce Surtees was the cinematographer. With her other cast mates, the trio "combine their extraordinary freshness and talent to sing to the music of Curtis Mayfield, who composed the music for the film produced by Howard Rosenman." None of the actors cast were well known at the time and many were newcomers. She became the film's breakout star and went on to act in films such as Fame. Over 2,000 women auditioned for the role of Sparkle in the end Irene Cara was cast, at age 17. The film mainly introduced newer faces, which kept the budget low. The film's story and plot were heavily inspired by the real-life singing group Diana Ross and the Supremes. This film was Sam O'Steen's debut film as a film director and given the limited budget, he did his best to use what was available to him. He was the famous editor of Carnal Knowledge, Rosemary's Baby, and Chinatown. at the time and said Sam O'Steen had to direct the film. Lonne Elder, writer of the Academy Award nominated screenplay for Sounder drafted Sparkle, which Joel Schumacher edited to make a 200-page basis for the film that became his screenwriting debut. Armelia McQueen as Tune Ann, Cousin of the Williams' sisters and church choir singer who serves as a background singer to Sparkle after the departure of Sister and Delores.Paul Lambert as Max Gerber, Effie's employer, connected to the mafia who wants the rights to Sparkle's fame.Tony King as Satin Struthers, Sister's love interest, gangster, abuser.Dorian Harewood as Levi Brown, Stix's cousin, initially was part of the group before he and Stix left, gets imprisoned.Mary Alice as Effie Williams, mother of the sisters, encourages Sparkle to pursue her dreams, maid.Dwan Smith as Delores Williams, middle sister who gives up everything in order to find equality and freedom.Lonette McKee as Sister Williams, initial lead singer of the group, forced to leave because of her drug addiction.Irene Cara as Sparkle Williams, youngest sister who becomes the star of the trio and ultimately a solo artist.Thomas as Stix, manager of the girl group, Sparkle's love interest, initial member of the group. In the end, after reconnecting after Sister's funeral, it is only Sparkle and Stix who climb the ladder to success. Sister is in an abusive relationship and is hung up on drugs while Delores leaves the city in pursuit of racial equality. Stix gives up on his music career and leaves the city and thus breaking Sparkle's heart. Stix, Sparkle's love interest and the group's manager, is able to help bring the group from "amateur nights to brief stardom before tragedy (dope, melancholia, the wrong man)" ensues and the group splits. It begins in Harlem, New York, in 1958, and follows the girl group, Sister and the Sisters, which is made up of three sisters: Sister, Sparkle, and Delores. The film was remade in 2012 starring Jordin Sparks, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter and Whitney Houston in her final film role. The film received generally negative reviews at the time of release and was a box office disappointment, making only $4 million against a $1 million budget. Curtis Mayfield served as the composer and producer of Sparkle's songs and score. The film stars Irene Cara, Philip Michael Thomas, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith, Mary Alice, Dorian Harewood, and Tony King.
This film not only "recreates the magic of a special period in American history, but it explores the impact of Harlem's musical and social culture on the rest of the world", as well as the linkages to black power. It presents the story of a musical girl group that ends up breaking apart due to individual issues each member faces. With a plot inspired by the history of The Supremes, Sparkle is a period film set in Harlem, New York during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Sparkle is a 1976 American musical drama film directed by Sam O'Steen and released by Warner Bros.
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