Blaze (1989)
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80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
40% of users liked it
(2,055 ratings)
Blaze is a comic-strip re-telling of the curious late-1950s relationship between famed striptease artist Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovitch) and Lousiana governor Earl Long (played in gorgeously flamboyant fashion by Paul Newman). Their romance is counterbalanced with the story of Long's efforts to… More Blaze is a comic-strip re-telling of the curious late-1950s relationship between famed striptease artist Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovitch) and Lousiana governor Earl Long (played in gorgeously flamboyant fashion by Paul Newman). Their romance is counterbalanced with the story of Long's efforts to win voting rights for Louisiana's black citizens. The governor's political enemies ruin his chances at re-election, then try to put him out of the way permanently with a trumped-up insanity charge. But with faithful Blaze at his side (and in close proximity to other portions of his anatomy), Long confounds his foes by winning a congressional seat. On the eve of this triumph, Earl Long dies, bringing this boisterous story to a sobering conclusion. Since the film is based on Blaze Starr's own reminiscences, one might prepare oneself with several grains of salt. The real Blaze Starr shows up early in the film as a stripper named Lily. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ron Shelton
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 13, 1989 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Supposedly based on fact regarding the relationship of Louisiana's Gov. Earl Long and his stripper girlfriend, this is noted mostly for the offbeat casting of Paul Newman.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
The latter-day Paul Newman is at his rascally best here.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Paul Newman
as Gov. Earl K. Long
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Lolita Davidovich
as Blaze Starr
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Jerry Hardin
as Thibodeaux
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Gailard Sartain
as LaGrange
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Jeffrey DeMunn
as Tuck
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Garland Bunting
as Doc Ferriday
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Richard Jenkins
as Times-Picayune Reporter
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Robert Wuhl
as Red Snyder
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Patrik Baldauff
as Rep. Kennon
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Dianne Brill
as Delilah Dough
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Michael Brockman
as Bobby
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Teresa Gilmore Capps
as Tamara Knight
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Eloy Casados
as Antoine
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Robert Earle
as Rep. Elfin
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John P. Fertitta
as Hospital Director
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James Harper
as Willie Rainach
- Jack David Harris
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Harold G. Herthum
as Earl's Crony
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Harlan Jordan
as Dr. Cheeseborough
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Brad Leland
as Dufee
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Gilbert Lewis
as Rev. Marquez
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Rod Masterson
as 1st Town Talk Reporter
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Brandon Smith (I)
as Arvin Deeter
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Blaze Starr
as Lily
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Emily Warfield
as Debbie Fleming
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Thomas Radcliffe Atkins
as Rep. Johnson
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Mike Baer
as Secretary of Legislature
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John A. Barber
as Rep. Hebert
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Michael Brooks
as Motorcycle Trooper
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Bob Cherry
as Earl's Crony
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David R. Conly
as Drunken Sailor
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Ben Cook
as Younger Brother
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King Cotton
as Jimmie Davis
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Bill Dunleavy
as 2nd Town Talk Reporter
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Kevin Graham
as Motorcycle Trooper
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Carey Rauhman Holliday
as Rep. Alexander
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Sid Lacey
as Earl's Crony
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Bill Mesman
as Rep. Davis
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Michael O'Neal
as Motorcycle Trooper
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Dick Person
as General Store Owner
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Wendell Raybon
as Motorcycle Trooper
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Brooks Read
as Reporter in Store
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Al Robinson
as Magnolia Local
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Glynn Rubin
as 2nd Crony Wife
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Janet Shea
as 1st Crony Wife
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Thomas C. Smith-Alden
as Asylum Spokesman
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Pat Snow
as Johnnie Mae
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Louanne Stephens
as Lora Fleming
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Gary Sturgis
as Marquez's Son
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Deano Thornton
as Drunken Officer
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George Wyatt
as Drunken Officer
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Fred Lewis
as Heckling Reporter
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Stanley Hughes
as Motorcycle Trooper
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Donald J Lee Jr
as Donut Shop Man
- Jay Chevalier