Saturday, August 19, 2023

Movie Flashback 'Purple Rain' 1984 with Prince

PURPLE RAIN from WARNER BROS. The studio executives thought the film was "outrageous." After internal meetings and debate. The movie was released in July of 1984. The production budget was $7.2 million and would become a box office hit reaching $70 million. It had another "Life" with VHS Home Video Rentals and would become a classic. (My brother rented this movie way too many times).

Film critics and audiences loved the movie.

"Prince" and his group "The Revolution" wrote and performed most of their songs in the film. The Vinyl Album sold 15 million copies in the U.S., and 25 million worldwide. "When Doves Cry", "Let's Go Crazy" and "Purple Rain" were the Billboard Hits off of the official soundtrack. But - it was the album itself that "sold" film and music audiences. Every song is great.!!

The "Purple Rain" Soundtrack (1984) won the "Oscar" for "Best Original Song Score." It also won  the "Grammy" Award for "Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special."

The cultural impact "Purple Rain" had was amazing. The movie caught on by "Word-of-Mouth" from Mid-Summer through the Fall and then into Winter. (1984 theater ticket prices). Prince became an overnight sensation with his film debut.

Note: Prince wanted to direct films and his debut was called, "Under the Cherry Moon" (1986). It was a bomb at the box office and critics hated it. The "Purple Rain" sequel was called, "Graffiti Bridge" (1990). It was written, directed and starred Prince. It is considered one of the worst movies of that year. Film audiences and critics laughed "out-loud" in theaters. And.. Not because it was funny.

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

No comments: