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Sparkle

  • 1976
  • PG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith, and Philip Michael Thomas in Sparkle (1976)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer3:06
1 Video
39 Photos
DramaMusic

Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever.Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever.Three sisters form a singing group in 1950s Harlem, but success threatens to ruin their relationship forever.

  • Director
    • Sam O'Steen
  • Writers
    • Joel Schumacher
    • Howard Rosenman
  • Stars
    • Philip Michael Thomas
    • Irene Cara
    • Lonette McKee
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    1.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sam O'Steen
    • Writers
      • Joel Schumacher
      • Howard Rosenman
    • Stars
      • Philip Michael Thomas
      • Irene Cara
      • Lonette McKee
    • 24User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Sparkle (1976)
    Trailer 3:06
    Sparkle (1976)

    Photos39

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    Top cast28

    Edit
    Philip Michael Thomas
    Philip Michael Thomas
    • Stix
    • (as Philip M. Thomas)
    Irene Cara
    Irene Cara
    • Sparkle
    Lonette McKee
    Lonette McKee
    • Sister
    Dwan Smith
    Dwan Smith
    • Delores
    Mary Alice
    Mary Alice
    • Effie
    Dorian Harewood
    Dorian Harewood
    • Levi
    Tony King
    Tony King
    • Satin
    Beatrice Winde
    • Mrs. Waters
    Paul Lambert
    Paul Lambert
    • Moe Gerber
    Joyce Easton
    • Lee Gerber
    Otis Day
    Otis Day
    • Ham
    • (as De Wayne Jessie)
    Norma Miller
    Norma Miller
    • Doreen Baker
    Talya Ferro
    • Miss Taylor
    Bob Delegall
    Bob Delegall
    • Mr. Daniels
    • (as Robert W. Delegall)
    Armelia McQueen
    Armelia McQueen
    • Tune Ann
    Don Bexley
    Don Bexley
    • Bubbles Sweeney
    Timmie Rogers
    • Comic M-C
    Ken Renard
    Ken Renard
    • Shimmy Dodson
    • Director
      • Sam O'Steen
    • Writers
      • Joel Schumacher
      • Howard Rosenman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although the film was reported to be a disastrous box office bomb back in 1976, the box office records for the film have remained anonymous and it is unknown how much money the film made during its theatrical run.
    • Goofs
      While singing Hooked on Your Love, Delores can be seen singing some of Sister's parts.
    • Quotes

      Sister: [after Delores and Sparkle discover her drug addiction] Can't you see? Sister can't fly on only one wing.....

    • Alternate versions
      UK releases are cut by 26 secs to remove footage of cockfighting.
    • Connections
      Featured in Afro Promo (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Jim Dandy
      (uncredited)
      Written by Lincoln Chase
      Performed by Renn Woods

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    An excellent story of love & family

    An excellent movie. Superb acting by Mary Alice, Phillip M. Thomas, and a young Irene Cara. Tony King was very realistic in his role of Satin. This movie was one of the last predominately "all black" movies of the 70's and unlike the "blaxploitation" movies of that era, this movie actually had a plot, and was very well done. The movie soundtrack, sung by Aretha Franklin, was popular on the R&B charts at the time.
    • davesmooth
    • Jan 3, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Sparkle?Powered by Alexa
    • There is an instrumental song playing while Stix is brushing/dusting the album. It's an instrumental piece, I thought it was from the 60s but the movie's setting is the 50s. Anyway, it's at approximately 1:15:13 in the movie. My grandparents loved that type of music, that song. Was curious what it was. Thanks.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 7, 1976 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Блеск
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 24, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Robert Stigwood Organization (RSO)
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith, and Philip Michael Thomas in Sparkle (1976)
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    By what name was Sparkle (1976) officially released in India in English?
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