Mahogany (1975)

Tracy, an aspiring designer from the slums of Chicago puts herself through fashion school in the hopes of becoming one of the world's top designers. Her ambition leads her to Rome spurring ... See full summary »

Directors:

Berry Gordy, Tony Richardson (uncredited)

Writers:

John Byrum (screenplay), Toni Amber (story)

Stars:

Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Perkins

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Diana Ross	...	Tracy Chambers
Billy Dee Williams	...	Brian Walker
Anthony Perkins	...	Sean McAvoy
Jean-Pierre Aumont	...	Christian Rosetti
Beah Richards	...	Florence
Nina Foch	...	Miss Evans
Marisa Mell	...	Carlotta Gavina
Lenard Norris	...	Wil
Jerome Arnold	...	Campaign Worker
Pemon Rami	...	Campaign Worker
Obelo	...	Campaign Worker
Ira Rogers	...	Stalker
Kristine Cameron	...	Instructress
Ted Liss	...	Sweatshop Foreman
Bruce Vilanch	...	Dress Manufacturer

Storyline

Tracy, an aspiring designer from the slums of Chicago puts herself through fashion school in the hopes of becoming one of the world's top designers. Her ambition leads her to Rome spurring a choice between the man she loves or her newfound success.

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Plot Keywords:

champagne | character name as title | nickname as title | success | fashion | 

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Taglines:

Success is nothing without someone you love to share it with

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

7 April 1976 (France)

Also Known As:

Mahogany

Filming Locations:

41st Street & Ellis Avenue, Oakland, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$5,000,000, 17 December 1975

Company Credits

Production Co:

Motown Productions, Nikor Productions, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Berry Gordy fired original director Tony Richardson and then took over direction of the picture himself.

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Goofs

The final shot of the film (an overview of the crowd gathered to hear Brian's speech) shows Tracy rushing up to Brian and madly embracing him, but moments earlier they had already walked up to each other in the middle of that crowd and kissed.

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Quotes

Tracy: The men love me, the women love me, the children love me... You're just jealous Brian 'cause no one loves you.

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Connections

Referenced in The Story of Eloise (1976)

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Soundtracks

Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)
Written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin
Performed by Diana Ross

User Reviews

Not As Bad As The Wiz

This film is another vanity piece for the ultimate diva Diana Ross. This film is also a classic example of Berry Gordy's failed attempts to make Motown more than what it was, and that was one of the most influetial record companies in history. Gordy even went as far as to direct this film with mixed results. This is nothing but pure melodrama and Diana Ross overracts throughout the whole film. Only Billy Dee Williams and Jean-Pierre Aumont manage to do credible performances as the two men who love Ross' character and Anthony Perkins is at his creepy best as the psychotic photographer. Unfortunately, Diana Ross is wasted in this role, which tends to prove that she had only one good performance in her and, unfortunately, it was in her debut, Lady Sings the Blues.