Sparkle
Warner HV
by A.Scott Galloway

People have been awaiting and demanding the release of the 1975 film Sparkle on DVD for decades. This story of a female singing trio striving for musical stardom starring Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith, Philip Michael Thomas, Tony King, Mary Alice and Dorian Harewood - filled with songs, romance, comedy and sobering life-lesson drama - holds a special place in the hearts of those who saw it in a theatre or drive-in back in the day. And while I am pleased to say that after 32 years this has finally come to pass with a clean widescreen transfer, it was not done with all the “love” one would expect of such a funky, all-star `70s black classic. It’s such a catch 22, really… Studios point to so-so sales of pieces such as this, citing bootlegging, copying and loaning as the culprits. But if they made these packages with all of the bonuses and perks they give to other Hollywood releases, they would become collector’s pieces everyone would want to own. With Sparkle, here is a film where ALL of the stars are still alive and could have contributed mightily to commentary or a bonus historical featurette. The only significant presence not around is Chicago ’s late, great Curtis Mayfield who composed all of the music. This DVD release was timed perfectly to follow the holiday debut of the “Dreamgirls: The Movie” and also coincides with the release of a new Diana Ross solo CD AND a Supremes box set!! All the stars were aligned for this to be a bigger event. However, standing on its own as it was, Sparkle is still a touching movie experience. The relaxed pace allows you to get to know the characters, the songs and performances by the cast are charming. Believe it or not, here are actually people who have long wished for a true cast soundtrack album either in place of or in addition to the hit album Aretha Franklin had re-singing all of the material (and more) for the commercial release on Atlantic Records. The one bonus this DVD package offers (aside from the trailer) is a CD that includes 5 of the 8 songs from Aretha’s album…but, again, not the cast’s versions. Diehard fans will snap this up regardless and those too young to remember may rent it out of curiosity. But let’s hold out hope that while everyone is still living and breathing, they go back and give Sparkle the full luster it deserves in a deluxe second edition.