8 Movies Starring Billy Dee Williams

Brian's Song

Brian's Song

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1971-11-30

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

73 min

Rated:

G

IMDB Ratings:

7.6 (5615 Reviews)

Director:

Buzz Kulik

Cast:

Writer:

William Blinn

Gale Sayers (book)

Al Silverman (book)

Fullplot:

Gale Sayers joins the Chicago Bears and is befriended by Brian Piccolo, an over-achieving running back. Although they compete for the same spot on the team, and despite the fact that Sayers is black and Piccolo white, they become roommates on the road and very close friends, especially when Sayers is injured and Piccolo helps his recovery. Later, they and their wives must both deal with the harsh reality of Piccolo's cancer.

The Glass House

The Glass House

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1972-02-04

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

90 min

Rated:

NOT RATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.4 (437 Reviews)

Director:

Tom Gries

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

Truman Capote (story)

Wyatt Cooper (story)

Tracy Keenan Wynn (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Adapted from a story by Truman Capote ("In Cold Blood"), the world of the prison convict is open to the viewer. As the story develops, one thing becomes clear. As in the outside world, there is a "system"; and just as on the outside, there is accommodation, honesty, cynicism, violence and all the other factors that make up our society. Three new convicts act as the catalyst for the events that follow; a college teacher, convicted of accidental manslaughter; a young man, sentenced for possession of marijuana; a new guard, interested in changing the system. Inside prison, the 'establlishment' presents itself. The warden doesn't want to rock the boat of the small society within prison walls. A convict dictator controls activities among the inmates thanks to a control of the narcotics traffic. A leader of the black convicts seethes in his own world of racial tension when there is no difference between convicts and authorities. As the film follows the three newcomers, it records the grim, terrifying, sometimes fascinating events that occur.

Lady Sings the Blues

Lady Sings the Blues

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1972-10-12

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

144 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

7.1 (2593 Reviews)

Director:

Sidney J. Furie

Cast:

Writer:

Chris Clark (screenplay)

Suzanne De Passe (screenplay)

William Dufty (book)

Billie Holiday (book)

Terence McCloy (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Born Elinore Harris, Billie Holiday had a difficult teen and young adulthood period, which included working in brothels, both as a cleaning woman and a prostitute, and being raped. Through this difficulty, she dreamed of becoming a jazz singer. She got her initial singing break when she applied at a Harlem club that was looking for a dancer, but where she got hired as a singer. There, she met and fell in love with the suave Louis McKay. After this initial break, Billie wanted her singing career to move to the mainstream clubs in downtown Manhattan. She took a risk when she agreed to be the lead singer for the Reg Hanley Band, a primarily white group, who convinced her that she would have to make her mark in regional tours before her Manhattan dream could happen. As Billie tried to advance her career, pressures of life, including being a black woman, led to her not so secret substance abuse (especially of heroin), not so secret because of her increasingly erratic behavior, both on stage and off. As those around her, including Louis, worked to support Billie emotionally to get off drugs, Billie faced other issues, such as open narcotic use being a criminal offense, which in combination with the effects of the heroin use itself could be Billie's downfall despite her singing talent.

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1976-11-17

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

110 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

6.8 (1084 Reviews)

Director:

John Badham

Genres:

ComedySport

Cast:

Writer:

William Brashler (based on the novel by)

Hal Barwood (screenplay)

Matthew Robbins (screenplay)

Fullplot:

Tired of the slave-like treatment of his team's owner, charismatic star Negro League pitcher Bingo Long takes to the road with his band of barnstormers through the small towns of the Midwest in the 1930's.

Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1977-12-30

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

96 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

6.6 (188 Reviews)

Director:

Jeremy Kagan

Fullplot:

Details the life story of Scott Joplin and how he became the greatest ragtime composer of all time.

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1980-06-20

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

124 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

8.8 (709821 Reviews)

Director:

Irvin Kershner

Cast:

Writer:

Leigh Brackett (screenplay)

Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay)

George Lucas (story)

Fullplot:

After the Rebel base on the icy planet Hoth is taken over by the empire, Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO flee across the galaxy from the Empire. Luke travels to the forgotten planet of Dagobah to receive training from the Jedi master Yoda, while Vader endlessly pursues him.

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1983-05-25

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

134 min

Rated:

PG

IMDB Ratings:

8.4 (564790 Reviews)

Cast:

Writer:

Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay)

George Lucas (screenplay)

George Lucas (story)

Fullplot:

Darth Vader and the Empire are building a new, indestructible Death Star. Meanwhile, Han Solo has been imprisoned, and Luke Skywalker has sent R2-D2 and C-3PO to try and free him. Princess Leia - disguised as a bounty hunter - and Chewbacca go along as well. The final battle takes place on the moon of Endor, with its natural inhabitants, the Ewoks, lending a hand to the Rebels. Will Darth Vader and the Dark Side overcome the Rebels and take over the universe?

The Ladies Man

The Ladies Man

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2000-10-13

Languages:

English

Countries:

USA

Runtime:

84 min

Rated:

R

IMDB Ratings:

5.1 (10366 Reviews)

Director:

Reginald Hudlin

Genres:

Comedy

Cast:

Writer:

Tim Meadows

Dennis McNicholas

Andrew Steele

Fullplot:

Because of his salacious language, late-night radio advice-show host Leon Phelps, along with his sweet and loyal producer Julie, is fired from his Chicago gig. They can't find another job. About that time, two things happen: he gets a letter from a wealthy former lover who offers to take care of him (but she doesn't sign her real name, so Leon, an inveterate Casanova, has no idea who she is), and a group of angry cuckolds, all of whom have surprised their wives in flagrante delicto with Leon (who has a distinctive tattoo on his booty), are closing in, armed and dangerous. Can he find the sugar mommy and escape the wrath of the mob of husbands? What about Julie?

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