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      The Josephine Baker Story

      R 1991 2 hr. 10 min. Biography List
      Reviews 73% 250+ Ratings Audience Score Born into a poor family in St. Louis, Josephine Baker (Lynn Whitfield) struggles to make a name for herself on the vaudeville circuit. As her career progresses, so does her resentment of racial prejudice, motivating her to move to Paris -- where in a short time, her exotic dance routines make her the toast of the town. Swayed by the influence of her manager (Ruben Blades), she takes the act back to America. It fails, but Josephine perseveres, proving herself as much humanitarian as entertainer. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (15) audience reviews
      Audience Member LOVE this movie!!! Lynn Whitfield was great as Madame Baker!!! The acting and story couldn’t get any better than this!!! As a child I would watch this movie almost daily!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/10/18 Full Review Audience Member I used to watch this movie all the time as a little girl. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting story weakened by an awfully structured screenplay. Whitfield as Baker is still remarkable. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a truly excellent bio-pic. I highly recommend this film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Lynn Whitfield was so amazing as Josephine baker.Josephine Baker was a loving & talented Woman, who loved Children too, & adopted many Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Lynn Whitfield is Josephine Baker she was one of the most successful African American singers and dancers back in the 1920's not only did she thrill the world with her charm but her scandalous nature and ability to be strong against the hatred of blacks in society all Josephine wants inside is to be loved by everyone for who she is, not because of her skin color the film follows the typical biography routes, some of the acting is a bit awkward and it cant reach perfection levels but you do follow this woman on her journey to rid the hate, the inhumane treatment, and the wrongs done to the unloved you can certainly feel the pain Baker touches upon; you have to save the small things to enjoy the big ones and things are worse before they get better for an HBO flick this is one of the more absorbing pieces and features a great leading lady Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Josephine Baker Story

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jun 16, 2005 Full Review Jonathan R. Perry Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) Rated: 4/5 Apr 26, 2005 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Charts the career of the world's first black international star Jul 19, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Born into a poor family in St. Louis, Josephine Baker (Lynn Whitfield) struggles to make a name for herself on the vaudeville circuit. As her career progresses, so does her resentment of racial prejudice, motivating her to move to Paris -- where in a short time, her exotic dance routines make her the toast of the town. Swayed by the influence of her manager (Ruben Blades), she takes the act back to America. It fails, but Josephine perseveres, proving herself as much humanitarian as entertainer.
      Director
      Brian Gibson
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Biography
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (DVD)
      Nov 1, 2001