“Mahogany” is a film about how awesome it is to be Diana Ross. While Tracy Chambers is a fictional stand-in, it’s an idolized fantasy about the film’s star. Anthony Perkins and Billy Dee Williams show up to give her something to focus on. But, this movie is amazing for Perkins. If it wasn’t such a crowded year, he would’ve easily pulled down a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Williams just does his standard schtick.
Diana Ross was an interesting movie star in the 1970s. While this was only her second film, she had already established a film persona. That persona being I’m Awesome and I bet that I could pull off playing Dorothy. This is such a kitsch film to love and I feel that aesthetic is lost on younger viewers. But, if you want something fun from the mid 1970s to watch, then you can’t do any better.
The DVD comes with collectible fashion photography cards and a photo gallery as the special features. The A/V Quality is strong, but representative of the era. The transfer is flat, but shows that there must have been some restoration work. Why didn’t this film get a Blu-Ray release? It’s a joke not to take the dive on both formats in this modern era. The mono track makes the best out of the sound elements and it’s well worth a purchase.
Release Date: 05/05/15