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IMDb > Porgy and Bess (1959)

Porgy and Bess (1959) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   547 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Otto Preminger
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Writers:
Dorothy Heyward (play)
DuBose Heyward (libretto)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Porgy and Bess on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 June 1959 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Musical | Romance more
Tagline:
Introducing a new era in motion pictures!
Plot:
In this legendary Gershwin opera set among the black residents of a fishing village in 1912 South Carolina... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Actor Brock Peters Dies at 78
 (From WENN. 23 August 2005)

User Comments:
This is one you never forget. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Sidney Poitier ... Porgy

Dorothy Dandridge ... Bess

Sammy Davis Jr. ... Sportin' Life
Pearl Bailey ... Maria

Brock Peters ... Crown
Leslie Scott ... Jake
Diahann Carroll ... Clara
Ruth Attaway ... Serena Robbins
Claude Akins ... Detective
Clarence Muse ... Peter
Everdinne Wilson ... Annie
Joel Fluellen ... Robbins
Earl Jackson ... Mingo
Moses LaMarr ... Nelson
Margaret Hairston ... Lily
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Additional Details

Runtime:
138 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Stereo

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This was the last film to be produced by Samuel Goldwyn. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Frank Sinatra's Welcome Home Party for Elvis Presley (1960) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
I Loves You Porgy more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful:-
This is one you never forget., 25 November 2004
10/10
Author: Terrence Robinson from Houston

I saw this on television more years ago than I can remember, but never forgot the performance of Sammy Davis, Jr. I just by chance thought to look for it on video. This rendition of Porgy and Bess is a treasure. I would love to see it again and introduce my son to it as well. I just can't imagine why it is not heralded as one of the greatest performances Sammy Davis, Jr. every gave. Whoever is responsible for not bringing this to audiences should be ashamed of his/her ignorance. I will continue to look for it though. Maybe the execs responsible for such things will come to realize the forgotten work of so many African American actors.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Porgy and Bess (1959)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
TCM Poll jrhodes84
Remake it with Fantasia Barrino as Bess ironbutterfly
Film no longer exists? zlestatz
National Film Registry jrhodes84
1959 Porgy and Bess Film nchjazzyjeep
Public Domain ? jean-no
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