IMDb > Porgy and Bess (1959)

Porgy and Bess (1959) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   570 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Otto Preminger
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Writers:

Dorothy Heyward (play)
DuBose Heyward (libretto)
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Contact:

View company contact information for Porgy and Bess on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

24 June 1959 (USA) more

Genre:

Drama | Musical | Romance more

Tagline:

Introducing a new era in motion pictures!

Plot:

In this legendary Gershwin opera set among the black residents of a fishing village in 1912 South Carolina... more | add synopsis

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations more

User Comments:

Excellent Musical. It begs to be on DVD. more (49 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Sidney Poitier ... Porgy

Dorothy Dandridge ... Bess

Sammy Davis Jr. ... Sportin' Life
Pearl Bailey ... Maria

Brock Peters ... Crown
Leslie Scott ... Jake

Diahann Carroll ... Clara
Ruth Attaway ... Serena Robbins
Claude Akins ... Detective
Clarence Muse ... Peter
Everdinne Wilson ... Annie
Joel Fluellen ... Robbins
Earl Jackson ... Mingo
Moses LaMarr ... Nelson
Margaret Hairston ... Lily
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Additional Details

Runtime:

138 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Stereo


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

The film's renditions of "Summertime" by Loulie Jean Norman (dubbing Diahann Carroll) and Adele Addison (dubbing Dorothy Dandridge) have placed at #52 in the AFI's (American Film Institute) list of the 100 Best Movie Songs of All Time. more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hi, Mom! (1970) more

Soundtrack:

Morning Sounds more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
20 out of 20 people found the following comment useful.
Excellent Musical. It begs to be on DVD., 29 December 2004
10/10
Author: Dale Haufrect (dhaufrect@gmail.com) from Houston, Texas

"Porgy and Bess" is an outstanding production of George Gershwin's masterpiece. It is tastefully done in muted colors. The voices are outstanding. Although Sidney Portier's voice is dubbed for his singing portion, he gives a very touching performance. There is a remarkable performance by Sammy Davis Jr. as Sportin Life. There is yet no DVD available for viewing, and this piece begs for one. All intelligent movie goers who enjoyed it in 1959 will appreciate the release of this masterpiece on the new medium. The screen is filled with a dynamic presentation that rivals all other musicals including the outstanding ones by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Be sure to ask for it an your video supplier. Like "Songs of the South" by Walt Disney, it may be the assumption of racial overtones that is preventing the marketing of this cinema.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Porgy and Bess (1959)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
TCM Poll jrhodes84
Remake it with Fantasia Barrino as Bess ironbutterfly
Film no longer exists? zlestatz
National Film Registry jrhodes84
1959 Porgy and Bess Film nchjazzyjeep
Public Domain ? jean-no
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