Sparkle captured all these themes as it spans musical genres. Within these genres, there are themes of self-determination, racial pride, and having fun. Stand out artists include Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, and Donna Summer. Finally, the middle to late 1970s consisted of disco which was essentially peppy dance music. Some of these artists include Earth Wind and Fire, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament Funkadelic, Kool & The Gang, Labelle, and Chaka Khan. These songs were political and group focused. Next, the mid 1970s consisted of funk music. Some influential artists during this time were James Brown, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. Soul music encourages everyone to be happy. The late 1960s to early 1970s consisted of soul music which tied in with historical macro events such as: Middle Civil Rights Movement, Great Society, Vietnam War, and Black Power. Sam Cooke and Freedom Singers are an example of these artists. This genre was aimed at building strong relationships during difficult times by connecting people. The early 1960s consisted of freedom music, a direct descendant of gospel music. Musicĭuring the 1960s and 1970s, music paralleled black identity and culture. Lester Wilson choreographed the movie, and his assistant was Michael Peters, who went on to choreograph “Beat It” and “Thriller” for Michael Jackson. FilmingĬredit must also be given to cinematographer Bruce Surtees and all other technicians who worked on the film. 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." None of the actors cast were big names at the time and many were newcomers, Lonette McKee actually made her feature film debut in this film. There were over 2,000 young ladies who auditioned for the role of Sparkle Irene Cara ended up with the role and was just 17 when she was cast, she would become the film's breakout star as she went on to do films like Fame. In addition, good casting and introducing newer faces was an important feature of the film, something that did not take too much of the budget. The film's story and plot were heavily inspired by the real-life singing group Diana Ross and the Supremes. This film was Sam O'Steen's debut film as a film director and given the limited budget, he did his best to use what was available to him. He was the infamous editor of Carnal Knowledge, Rosemary's Baby, and Chinatown. at the time and said Sam O'Steen had to direct the film. Lonne Elder, writer of the Academy Award nominated screenplay for Sounder drafted Sparkle, which Joel Schumacher edited to make a 200-page basis for the film, this film would be his screenwriting debut.
Mary Alice as Effie Williams - mother of the sisters, encourages Spakle to pursue her dreams, maid.Dwan Smith as Delores Williams - middle sister who gives up everything in order to find equality and freedom.Lonette McKee as Sister Williams - initial lead singer of the group, forced to leave because of her drug addiction.Irene Cara as Sparkle Williams - youngest sister who becomes the star of the trio and ultimately a solo artist.Thomas as Stix - manager of the girl group, Sparkle's love interest, initial member of the group In short, this is a rags to riches story. In the end, after reconnecting after Sister's funeral, it is only Sparkle and Stix who climb the ladder to success. Sister is in an abusive relationship and is hung up on drugs while Delores leaves the city in pursuit of racial equality. Stix gives up on his music career and leaves the city and thus breaking Sparkle's heart. Stix (Philip Michael Thomas), Sparkle's love interest and the groups 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.
SPARKLE 1976 CAST MOVIE
The movie begins in Harlem, New York in 1958, and follows the girl group, Sister and the Sisters, which is made up three sisters: Sister (Lonette McKee), Sparkle (Irene Cara), and Delores (Dwan Smith).
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