Plot Summary

Life in a black ghetto isn't easy for 14-year-old Billie Jean Sims, who has a father in jail, a blind grandmother, and a brother with a drug habit. Growing up among drug pushers, prostitutes, and pimps, Billie Jean still has some things going for her: fierce pride, a loyal friend named Fish, and, at last, enough savings to visit her father 1200 miles away in prison.

Movie Details

Original Title
If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band
Status
released
Original Language
en

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Cast

Donna M. Bryan as Billie Jean Sims

Donna M. Bryan

Billie Jean Sims

James Broderick as Trick

James Broderick

Trick

Georgia Burke as Grannie

Georgia Burke

Grannie

Laurence Fishburne as Fish

Laurence Fishburne

Fish

Sonny Jim Gaines as Mr. Sims

Sonny Jim Gaines

Mr. Sims

Arthur French as Customer

Arthur French

Customer

Moses Gunn as Mr. Miller

Moses Gunn

Mr. Miller

Albert Hall as T-Bone Sims

Albert Hall

T-Bone Sims

Dots Johnson as Jim

Dots Johnson

Jim

John Marriott as Jessie

John Marriott

Jessie

George Miles as Shake-a-Hand

George Miles

Shake-a-Hand

Haywood Nelson as Ronnie

Haywood Nelson

Ronnie

Jim Pelham as Eddie

Jim Pelham

Eddie

Joseph Ray as Walkin' Willie

Joseph Ray

Walkin' Willie

Dick Sabol as Prison Guard

Dick Sabol

Prison Guard