Purlie
Synopsis
Purlie is a musical based on Ossie Davis' 1961 play Purlie Victorious. In the early days of the civil rights movement, a Southern plantation owner holds his sharecroppers in virtual slavery. Purlie comes home as a preacher who will shake things up and bring freedom to his people. This 1981 television adaptation won a CableACE Award.
Top Cast
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Robert Guillaume
Purlie
Melba Moore
Lutiebelle
Sherman Hemsley
Gitlow
Linda Hopkins
Sister Hopkins
Rhetta Hughes
Missy
Brandon Maggart
Ol' Cap'n
Don Scardino
Charlie
Clarice Taylor
Idella
Loretta Abbott
Ensemble
Brenda Braxton
Ensemble
P.L. Brown
Ensemble
Olivia Detante
Ensemble
Suzzanne Douglas
Ensemble
Cisco Drayton
Ensemble
Tanya Gibson
Ensemble
Michael Goring
Ensemble
Milt Grayson
Ensemble
Lawrence Hamilton
Ensemble
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Rudi Goldman
- Screenplay & Story
- Ossie Davis, Peter Udell, Philip Rose, Gary Geld
- Original Title
- Purlie
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 22m
- Production Studios
- CBS Productions, Showtime Networks
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Rudi Goldman
Ossie Davis, Peter Udell, Philip Rose, Gary Geld
John R. Tierney
Robert R. Thiel
Department Leadership Roster
Gail Cooper-Hecht
Costume Design
John R. Tierney
Editor
Robert R. Thiel
Producer
Rudi Goldman
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Purlie.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Frequently Asked Questions About Purlie
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Purlie about?
Purlie is a musical based on Ossie Davis' 1961 play Purlie Victorious. In the early days of the civil rights movement, a Southern plantation owner holds his sharecroppers in virtual slavery. Purlie comes home as a preacher who will shake things up and bring freedom to his people. This 1981 television adaptation won a CableACE Award.
Who directed Purlie?
Purlie was directed by Rudi Goldman.
Who stars in Purlie?
The principal cast of Purlie includes Robert Guillaume, Melba Moore, Sherman Hemsley, Linda Hopkins, Rhetta Hughes.
When was Purlie released and how long is it?
Purlie was released in 1981 with a total runtime of 2h 22m.