The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
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- R
- 2h 10min
- Biography, Drama
- 16 Mar 1991 (USA)
- TV Movie
Born poor in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine Baker achieved fame and fortune through her sizzlingly exotic, erotic performances. Starting life on the American Vaudeville circuit, success takes Josephine to Paris where her semi-nude dancing...
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Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 12 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Lynn Whitfield | ... |
Josephine Baker
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| Rubén Blades | ... |
Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
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| David Dukes | ... |
Jo Bouillon
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| Louis Gossett Jr. | ... |
Sidney Williams
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| Craig T. Nelson | ... |
Walter Winchell
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| Kene Holiday | ... |
Sidney Bechet
(as Kene Holliday)
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| Vivian Bonnell | ... |
Josephine's Mother
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Mayah McCoy | ... |
Josephine -Age 8
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Ainslie Currie | ... |
Josephine - Age 13
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Pierre Magny | ... |
Poul Colin
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Franco Britt | ... |
Victor
(as Franco Iiriti)
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George Faison | ... |
Emcee in Harlem Club
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Robert Lesser | ... |
Copa City Manager
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Luis Reyes | ... |
Josephine's Father
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Vivienne Eytle | ... |
Josephine's Sister
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Frédéric Norbert | ... |
The dancer
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Eartha Robinson | ... |
Female Singer / Dancer
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Paula Brown | ... |
Amateur Female Singer / Dancer
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Ann Harrington | ... |
Cruel Woman
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| Zoltán Gera | ... |
Folies Bergeres Producer
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Gábor Csíkos | ... |
French Cab Driver
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Noel Weekes Jr. | ... |
Soldier from St. Louis
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Péter Kertész | ... |
Casablanca Doctor
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Gregory Orr | ... |
New York Hotel Manager
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János Gosztonyi | ... |
Bobino Theatre Manager
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Tibor Kenderesi | ... |
Priest
(as Tibor Kenderessy)
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| Steven R. McGlothen | ... |
American Reporter in Press Conference
(as Steve McGlothen)
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Richard Rothenstein | ... |
American Reporter in Press Conference
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Sherry Baumgart | ... |
American Reporter in Press Conference
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Debbie Javor | ... |
American Woman at Party
(as Deborah Javor)
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Angelus Iván | ... |
Dance Teacher
(as Ivan Angelus)
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András Márton | ... |
Pepito's Doctor
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Dean Tschetter | ... |
New York Critic
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Richard Battagna | ... |
White Racist
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Gábor Ferenczi | ... |
Reporter at Stork Club
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András Monory Mész | ... |
Reporter at Stork Club
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Jimmy Smith | ... |
Bell Boy
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Zoltán Dózsa | ... |
Stork Club Waiter
(as Laszlo Dozsa Jr.)
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Fajer Khaled | ... |
Casablanca Nurse
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János Vészi | ... |
Lover in New York
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Attila Lõte | ... |
Court Official
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Darrel W. Wright | ... |
Dancer
(as Darrel Wright)
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Adrian Bailey | ... |
Dancer
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Carolyn Campbell | ... |
Dancer
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Cedric Lee Bradley | ... |
Dancer
(as Cedric Bradley)
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Taj Foster | ... |
Dancer
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Kiki Shephard | ... |
Dancer
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Eric James | ... |
Dancer
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Monika Zsiros | ... |
Dancer
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Jozsef Bauer | ... |
Dancer
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Helga Szabó | ... |
Dancer
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Sándor Király | ... |
Dancer
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Mónika Czár | ... |
Dancer
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Lásló Oláh | ... |
Dancer
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Éva Molnár | ... |
Dancer
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Michael Kropf | ... |
Dancer
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Vera Kun | ... |
Dancer
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Imre Németh | ... |
Dancer
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Zsuzsa Tarjányi | ... |
Dancer
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Zoltán Bihari | ... |
Dancer
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Veronika Vámos | ... |
Dancer
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Attila Egervári | ... |
Dancer
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| Andrea Tallós | ... |
Dancer
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Ferenc Molnár | ... |
Dancer
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| Csilla Szoboszlay | ... |
Dancer
(as Csilla Szoboszlai)
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János Kaczor | ... |
Dancer
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Helga Györi | ... |
Dancer
(as Helga Gryöri)
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László Kriszt | ... |
Dancer
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László Novák | ... |
Dancer
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Marie Carter | ... |
Hotel Maid
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| Michael Mehlmann | ... |
American Reporter in Press Conference (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Brian Gibson | ||
Written by
| Ron Hutchinson | ... | (story) and |
| Michael Zagor | ... | (story) |
| Ron Hutchinson | ... | (teleplay) |
Produced by
| Robert Halmi Sr. | ... | executive producer (as Robert Halmi) |
| Robert A. Halmi | ... | executive producer (as Robert Halmi) |
| Madeleine Henrié | ... | associate producer (as Madeleine Henrie) |
| John Kemeny | ... | producer |
| David Puttnam | ... | executive producer: Angelica Television Ltd. |
| Alisa Taylor | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Georges Delerue | ||
Cinematography by
| Elemér Ragályi | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Graham Walker | ||
Editorial Department
| Peter Baldock | ... | first assistant editor |
| Cynthia Fitzpatrick | ... | additional off-line editor / editor: syndication |
| Jim Howe | ... | assistant film editor |
| Alexandra Kemeniczky | ... | assistant film editor |
| David Martin | ... | supervising editor |
| Bryan McMahan | ... | colorist |
| Folasade Oyeleye | ... | assistant film editor |
Casting By
| Kálmán Balogh | ... | casting director: Budapest |
| Reuben Cannon | ||
| Carol Dudley | ||
Production Design by
| József Romvári | ||
Costume Design by
| Mária Hruby | ... | (as Maria Hruby) |
| Györgyi Vidák | ||
Makeup Department
| Marie Carter | ... | makeup artist: Ms. Whitfield |
| Julia Fenyvessy | ... | makeup artist (as Julia Fenyvesi) |
| Jánosné Kajtár | ... | hair stylist (as Katalin Kajtár) |
| Ferdinando Merolla | ... | hair stylist |
| Aldo Signoretti | ... | hair stylist: Ms. Whitfield |
Production Management
| József Cirkó | ... | unit manager |
| László Helle | ... | production supervisor |
| Peter Lancaster | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Endre Sík | ... | executive in charge of production |
| Gabor Tiszitarto | ... | assistant unit manager (as Gábor Tiszttarto) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Normand Bourgie | ... | second assistant director |
| Mario Dellamaistra | ... | third assistant director |
| Gábor Gajdos | ... | second assistant director |
| Zsuzsa Gurbán | ... | second assistant director |
| Pierre Magny | ... | first assistant director |
| László Sipos | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Serge Bureau | ... | property master |
| Simon Dowling | ... | graphic designer |
| Zoltán Hardy | ... | prop man |
| Lóránt Jávor | ... | assistant art director (as Loránd Jávor) |
| András Langmár | ... | assistant art director |
| Tibor Lázár | ... | assistant construction manager |
| Ágnes Menyhárt | ... | set dresser |
| Csaba Stork | ... | assistant art director (as Csaba Stark) |
| Zoltán Szabó | ... | prop man |
| István Tóth | ... | set dresser |
| József Vass | ... | construction coordinator (as Joszef Vass) |
| Zoltán Tóth | ... | prop man (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Peter Elliott | ... | foley editor |
| Jonathan Enraght-Moony | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Leonard Green | ... | assistant sound editor (as Lenny Green) |
| Richard Hiscott | ... | dialogue editor |
| Peter Horrocks | ... | dialogue editor |
| Eddy Joseph | ... | supervising sound editor |
| János Köporosy | ... | boom operator (as János Koporosi) |
| Laurie McDowell | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Christine Newell | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Victor Nunes | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Clive Pendry | ... | assistant dubbing mixer |
| János Réti | ... | sound |
| Hugh Strain | ... | dubbing mixer |
| Budge Tremlett | ... | sound editor |
| Lionel Strutt | ... | adr mixer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Ferenc Ormos | ... | special effects |
Visual Effects by
| Bruce A. Block | ... | matte supervisor (as Bruce Block) |
Stunts
| Béla Kasi | ... | stunt performer (as Bela Kasi) |
| Péter Katona | ... | stunt performer |
| Ferenc Novinecz | ... | stunts |
| Béla Unger | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Sándor Boros | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| László Imre | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Csaba Bankhardt | ... | grip |
| Attila Dóczi | ... | electrician (as Attila Doczi) |
| Egon Endrényi | ... | still photographer |
| Géza Gonda | ... | focus puller |
| Rudolf Graczer | ... | second assistant camera (as Rudolf Gráczer) |
| Miklós Hajdu | ... | gaffer |
| Tamás ifj. Vitray | ... | third assistant camera (as Tamás Vitray Jr.) |
| Nyika Jancsó | ... | camera operator: second unit (as Miklós Jancsó Jr.) |
| Zsolt Jámbor | ... | grip |
| Sándor Novák | ... | electrician |
| Iván Nyitrai | ... | electrician |
| György Simon | ... | electrician (as György Simon) |
| Lajos Simon | ... | grip |
| Imre Sisa | ... | key and dolly grip |
| Rudolf Takács | ... | electrician |
| András Váradi | ... | second assistant camera (as András Várady) |
Casting Department
| Kálmán Balogh | ... | casting: Budapest |
| Karen Cooper | ... | casting assistant |
| Pat Golden | ... | casting consultant |
| Zsóka Takács | ... | extras casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Zsuzsa Balai | ... | wardrobe master (as Zsuzsa Ballai) |
| Gyula Bongor | ... | dresser |
| Sándor Csajbók | ... | dresser (as Sandor Csajbok) |
| Éva Csele | ... | dresser (as Éva Csella) |
| András Deu | ... | dresser |
| Judit Deu | ... | dresser |
| Andrea Friebert | ... | dresser |
| Randall J. Pratt | ... | wardrobe consultant |
| Zsuzsa Pártényi | ... | wardrobe coordinator |
| Gábor Simkó | ... | dresser (as Gábor Simko) |
| Mónika Takács | ... | dresser: Ms. Whitfield |
Location Management
| Laszlo Rorarius | ... | location assistant |
Music Department
| Ralph Burns | ... | composer: unused music / orchestrator: songs |
| Carolyn Dennis | ... | singing voice: Josephine Baker |
| Robert Hathaway | ... | music editor (as Bob Hathaway) |
| Jacques Hubert | ... | music consultant |
| London Symphony Orchestra | ... | orchestra (as The London Symphony Orchestra) |
| Magyar Rádió és Televízió Szimfonikus Zenekara | ... | orchestra (as Symphony Orchestra of Hungarian Radio & Television) |
| Gábor Oroszlán | ... | music coordinator |
| Eric Tomlinson | ... | music recordist |
| Rick Winquest | ... | music recording engineer |
Script and Continuity Department
| Pamela Carlton | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Adrienne Rorarius | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Jimmy Smith | ... | assistant to driver |
| Márta Stella | ... | assistant to driver |
Additional Crew
| Andrea Albert | ... | interpreter |
| Bobe Bodzsar | ... | cashier |
| Brian Bouillon Baker | ... | consultant |
| Jean-Claude Bouillon | ... | consultant (as Jean Claude Bouillon) |
| Heidi Brennan | ... | liaison: Los Angeles |
| Éva Deák | ... | interpreter |
| Gina Renée Ellis | ... | assistant choreographer |
| George Faison | ... | choreographer |
| Bela Frey | ... | production assistant (as Béla Frey) |
| Jacques Hubert | ... | visual consultant |
| Joanne Jackson | ... | auditor |
| Eszter Karkovany | ... | production secretary |
| Judy 'Lucky' Kemeny | ... | production coordinator (as Judi Kemeny) |
| Kati Kemény | ... | assistant to producer (as Kati Kemeny) |
| Bobe Kiraly | ... | cashier (as Böbe Király) |
| Gabi Márky | ... | production secretary |
| Gréta Máté | ... | interpreter |
| Luis Reyes | ... | unit publicist |
| Andrea Scharf | ... | film researcher |
| Ervin Schwender | ... | caterer: Szinbád Caterers |
| Jimmy Smith | ... | assistant to director |
| Márta Stella | ... | assistant to director |
| Dean Tschetter | ... | visual consultant |
| Péter Varga | ... | production assistant |
| Béla Vaszary | ... | medical coordinator / set doctor |
| Richard Yarborough | ... | historical consultant (as Dr. Richard Yarborough) |
| Piroska Nagy | ... | dialogue coach (uncredited) |
| Laszlo Rorarius | ... | production organiser (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- HBO Pictures
- RHI Entertainment (in association with)
- Anglia Television
- HBO Films
Distributors
- Home Box Office (HBO) (1991) (United States) (tv)
- Pony Canyon (1991) (Japan) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- ARRI (cameras equipment provided by)
- Abbey Road Studios (music recording)
- Berman's and Nathan's (wardrobe rental)
- C.T.S. Studios (music recording)
- Christian Dior (original eyeglasses)
- Davis & Zimmerman (casting: London)
- General Screen Enterprises (additional opticals)
- Hungarian Film Laboratories (processing and printing)
- Optyl Seiler (original eyeglasses)
- Rank Film Laboratories (release printing)
- Reuben Cannon & Associates (casting)
- Szinbád Caterers (catering)
- The Optical Partnership (titles and opticals)
- The Studios of Hungarian Radio (music recording)
- Transatlantic-Media Associates, Budapest (production services)
- Warner Bros. De Lane Lea (sound re-recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Born poor in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine Baker achieved fame and fortune through her sizzlingly exotic, erotic performances. Starting life on the American Vaudeville circuit, success takes Josephine to Paris where her semi-nude dancing causes an international sensation. Through her marriages to an Italian pseudo-count and an orchestra leader, to her bond with army officer Sydney Williams, Josephine's life is a rollercoaster ride of love and rejection from both her lovers and her country. But semi-nude, or head-to-toes in sequins; in battle fatigues or rags - her beauty and ambition ensured that Josephine Baker will always be remembered as the first, and possibly most loved, truly international star. Written by HBO Home Video |
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| Taglines | A legend in Europe. An outcast in America. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Filmed in over one hundred different locations, with eighty speaking parts, and six thousand extras, this movie was given the biggest budget of any HBO production (up until that time), as well the network's most extensive promotional campaign. See more » |
| Goofs | The scene starting at about 1 hour the film which has Josephine Baker appearing at a US military show, during World War II, has many 46 Star US flags as stage dressing. The 46 star flag was used from 1908 to 1912, it was replaced with the 48 star flag in 1913 after New Mexico and Arizona entered the Union in 1912. The 46 star flags are over 30 years out of date in this scene. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1991). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Me Revoilà Paris See more » |
| Quotes |
Josephine Baker:
What am I most ashamed of in my life? Not keeping my promise to my sister and being too scared of America to attend her funeral. See more » |