The Josephine Baker Story

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The Josephine Baker Story

R

1991

2h 10m

Biography

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3 Reviews

73%

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250+ Ratings

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.

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 16, 2005

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Jonathan R. Perry

Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

Rated: 4/5

Apr 26, 2005

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Charts the career of the world's first black international star

Jul 19, 2003

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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

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Audience Member

I used to watch this movie all the time as a little girl.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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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

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Audience Member

This is a truly excellent bio-pic. I highly recommend this film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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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

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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

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Brian Gibson

Director

Lynn Whitfield

Josephine Baker

Rubén Blades

Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino

David Dukes

Jo Bouillon

Louis Gossett Jr.

Sidney Williams

Craig T. Nelson

Walter Winchell

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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
Producer: John Kemeny
Screenwriter: Ron Hutchinson
Rating: R
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Nov 1, 2001
Runtime: 2h 10m