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Porgy and Bess (1959)

138 min  -  Drama | Musical | Romance  -   24 June 1959 (USA)
7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 760 users  
Reviews: 52 user | 5 critic

In this legendary Gershwin opera set among the black residents of a fishing village in 1912 South Carolina... See full summary »

Director:

Otto Preminger, and 1 more credit »

Writers:

DuBose Heyward (libretto), DuBose Heyward (play), and 2 more credits »

Stars:

Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge and Sammy Davis Jr.
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5 photos | 98 news articles | full cast and crew »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sidney Poitier ...
Dorothy Dandridge ...
Sammy Davis Jr. ...
Pearl Bailey ...
Maria
Brock Peters ...
Leslie Scott Leslie Scott ...
Diahann Carroll ...
Ruth Attaway Ruth Attaway ...
Claude Akins Claude Akins ...
Detective
Clarence Muse Clarence Muse ...
Peter
Everdinne Wilson Everdinne Wilson ...
Annie
Joel Fluellen Joel Fluellen ...
Earl Jackson Earl Jackson ...
Moses LaMarr Moses LaMarr ...
Margaret Hairston Margaret Hairston ...
Lily
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

In this legendary Gershwin opera set among the black residents of a fishing village in 1912 South Carolina, Bess - a woman with a disreputable history - tries to break free from her brutish lover Crown after he becomes wanted for murder. The only person willing to overlook her past and offer her shelter is the crippled Porgy. Their relationship is threatened by the disapproval of the townspeople, the presence of her old drug supplier Sportin' Life - and the threatened return of Crown. Written by scgary66  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Murder | South Carolina | Drugs | Fishing Village | Disability  | See more »

Taglines:

Introducing a new era in motion pictures!

Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Porgy und Bess See more »

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$3,500,000 (USA) (1959)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Two days before filming was slated to begin, a fire broke out and destroyed most of the costumes, props and sketches. See more »

Connections

Referenced in "Mary Tyler Moore: Bess, You Is My Daughter Now (#1.3)" (1970) See more »

Soundtracks

"A Red Headed Woman"
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Sung by Brock Peters and Chorus See more »