If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band
“The story of ghetto boy and girl trying to raise money for the girl to visit her father in prison.”
Synopsis
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.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Donna M. Bryan
Billie Jean Sims
James Broderick
Trick
Georgia Burke
Grannie
Laurence Fishburne
Fish
Sonny Jim Gaines
Mr. Sims
Arthur French
Customer
Moses Gunn
Mr. Miller
Albert Hall
T-Bone Sims
Dots Johnson
Jim
John Marriott
Jessie
George Miles
Shake-a-Hand
Haywood Nelson
Ronnie
Jim Pelham
Eddie
Joseph Ray
Walkin' Willie
Dick Sabol
Prison Guard
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Fred Coe
- Screenplay & Story
- Stanley L. Gray
- Original Title
- If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 13m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Fred Coe
Stanley L. Gray
Michael Lieberman, Jake Ostroff
Arline Garson
David Susskind
Department Leadership Roster
David Susskind
Producer
Michael Lieberman
Director of Photography
Jake Ostroff
Director of Photography
Arline Garson
Editor
Fred Coe
Director
Stanley L. Gray
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band.
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Laurence Fishburne Portfolio - Movies
Curated master portfolio of movies starring Laurence Fishburne Portfolio - Movies. Updated frequently. Last updated September 26, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions About If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band about?
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.
Who directed If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band?
If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band was directed by Fred Coe.
Who stars in If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band?
The principal cast of If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band includes Donna M. Bryan, James Broderick, Georgia Burke, Laurence Fishburne, Sonny Jim Gaines.
When was If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band released and how long is it?
If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band was released in 1972 with a total runtime of 1h 13m.