Ballad in Blue

Ballad in Blue
Directed by	Paul Henreid
Produced by	Herman Blaser
Written by	Paul Henreid Burton Wohl
Starring	Ray Charles Tom Bell Mary Peach Dawn Addams Piers Bishop
Music by	Bernie Fenton
Cinematography	Robert Huke
Edited by	Raymond Poulton John Trumper
Production company	Ardmore Studios, Bray, Ireland
Release dates	1964
Running time	88 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Originally titled Blues For Lovers, Ballad in Blue was a 1964 film starring R&B legend Ray Charles. The movie was the last of actor Paul Henreid's theatrical-film directorial efforts.^[1]

Plot

Ray Charles plays himself in this film where he helps blind boy David (Piers Bishop) in his struggle to regain his sight. David’s over-protective mother Peggy (Mary Peach) is afraid of the risks connected with restoring his sight. Ray tries to help the whole family, offering the heavy-drinking Peggy’s heavy-drinking partner Steve (Tom Bell) an opportunity to work with his band.^[2]

Sub-plots include fashion designer Gina (Dawn Addams) trying to lure Steve; and Margaret (Lucy Appleby) encouraging David to sneak out and wander around London late at night on a mischievous adventure.

Cast

• Ray Charles as Himself
• Tom Bell as Steve Collins
• Mary Peach as Peggy Harrison
• Dawn Addams as Gina Graham
• Piers Bishop as David
• Betty McDowall as Mrs. Babbidge
• Lucy Appleby as Margaret
• Joe Adams as Fred
• Robert Lee Ross as Duke Wade
• Anne Padwick Bus Conductress
• Monika Henreid as Antonia
• Brendan Agnew as Antonia's protector
• Vernon Hayden as Headmaster
• Leo McCabe as Doctor Leger
• The Raelettes as Themselves

References

^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}

1. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
2. FilmFresh.com. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
3. "Ballad In Blue", British Film Institute.
4. "Ballad In Blue" at International Movie Data base.
5. "E.T.U. electricians picket Ardmore Studios, Bray, Co. Wicklow, where the film 'Ballad in Blue', starring singer Ray Charles and Dawn Addams, is in production", Irish Photo Archive.
6. "Ballad In Blue", DVD Talk.

External links

• Ballad in Blue at the Internet Movie Database