Sparkle (1976 film): Difference between revisions

The film received generally negative reviews at the time of release and was a box office disappointment, only making only $4 million against a $1 million budget. It has since receiveddeveloped a [[cult following]]. The film was [[Sparkle (2012 film)|remade in 2012]] starring [[Jordin Sparks]], [[Carmen Ejogo]], [[Tika Sumpter]], and [[Whitney Houston]] in her final film role.

The movie is a [[rags to riches]] story. It begins in Harlem, New York, in 1958, and follows the girl group, Sister and the Sisters, which is made up of three sisters: Sister, Sparkle, and Delores. Stix, Sparkle's love interest and the group's manager, is able to help bring the group from "amateur nights to brief stardom before tragedy (dope, melancholia, the wrong man)" ensues and the group splits.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McKinnon|first1=George|title=Mayfield tunes lend polish to Sparkle|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=April 10, 1976}}</ref> Stix gives up on his music career and leaves the city and thus breaking Sparkle's heart. Sister is in an abusive relationship and is hung up on drugs while Delores leaves the city in pursuit of racial equality. In the end, after reconnecting after Sister's funeral, it is only Sparkle and Stix who climb the ladder to success. In short, this is a [[rags to riches]] story.

InThe addition,film goodmainly casting and introducingintroduced newer faces was an important feature of the film, somethingwhich that did not take too much ofkept the budget low. There were overOver 2,000 young ladies whowomen auditioned for the role of Sparkle; Irene Cara ended up within the roleend andIrene was just 17 when sheCara was cast, sheat age 17. wouldShe becomebecame the film's breakout star as sheand went on to doact in films likesuch as [[Fame (1980 film)|Fame]]. With her other cast mates, the trio "combine their extraordinary freshness and talent to sing to the music of Curtis Mayfield, who composed the music for the film produced by Howard Rosenman." <ref>{{cite news|title="Sparkle" Film Has Female Trio Sparkling|publisher=Los Angeles Sentinel (1934–2005)|date=May 20, 1976}}</ref> None of the actors cast were bigwell namesknown at the time and many were newcomers,. [[Lonette McKee]] actually made her feature film debut in this film.