Sparkle (1976)

A girl group experiences turmoil after one of their members turns to drugs and another achieves their desired fame all by herself.

Director:

Sam O'Steen

Writers:

Howard Rosenman (story), Joel Schumacher

Stars:

Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philip Michael Thomas	...	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
Joyce Easton	...	Lee
Otis Day	...	Ham
Norma Miller	...	Doreen
Talya Ferro	...	Miss Taylor
Bob Delegall	...	Mr. Daniels
Armelia McQueen	...	Tune Ann

Storyline

Three sisters (Sister and the Sisters) from Harlem become singers. Sister (Lonette McKee) becomes involved with drugs, while Sparkle (Irene Cara) ends up being the one who gets famous. This film tells of how drugs ruin Sister's relationships and eventually end her life. It is also about the relationship between Sparkle and Stix (Philip Michael Thomas).

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | singer | girl group | fame | alcoholism | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blysk

Filming Locations:

Stage 24, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Robert Stigwood Organization (RSO), Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Stix is working in the record store, the year is 1958, but there is a 1960 Coasters LP, "One On One" that is clearly present in the front of the store.

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Quotes

Sister: [after Delores and Sparkle discover her drug addiction] Can't you see? Sister can't fly on only one wing.....

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Connections

Remade as Sparkle (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Lucky Lips"
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

User Reviews

Unforgettable

I watched this movie every chance I got, back in the Seventies when it came out on cable. It was my introduction to Harlem, which has fascinated me (and Bill Clinton) ever since. I was still very young, and the movie made a big impression on me. It was great to see a movie about other young girls growing up, trying to decide whom they wanted to be, and making some bad choices as well as good ones. I was dazzled by Lonette McKee's beauty, the great dresses they eventually got to wear, and the snappy dialogue. As someone being raised by a single mother as well, I could really identify with these girls and their lives. It's funny, these characters seem almost more real to me than Beyonce Knowles!