The Ballad of Billie Blue
1972 American film
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The Ballad of Billie Blue (Jailbreakin') is a Christian-themed film that stars Jason Ledger, Renny Roker, Ray Danton, and Sherry Bain. It also features Erik Estrada. A country singer who has a problem with alcohol is sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit.
William Kerwin
Ralph Luce
William Kerwin
Ralph Luce
| The Ballad of Billie Blue | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ken Osborne |
| Screenplay by | Robert Dix William Kerwin Ralph Luce |
| Story by | Robert Dix William Kerwin Ralph Luce |
| Produced by | Robert Plekker |
| Starring | Jason Ledger Renny Roker Sherry Bain Ray Danton Sherry Miles Bob Plekker Erik Estrada Johnny Green Bruce Kimball |
| Cinematography | Ralph Waldo |
| Edited by | Renn Reynolds |
| Music by | Richard Wess |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 mins |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Story
Background
Screenings
The film premiered in Grand Rapids, Michigan in February, 1972.[3] The film opened Thursday April 20, 1972 at the Holland Theatre and was showing for a week.[4] It was scheduled for screening at the Peoria Christian Center on Saturday, July 19, 1975.[5] The film was showing at the Grand Theatre in July 1976.[6] An organization called Christian Young People had the film showing at the Ottawa Technical High School at 8PM, April 26, 1979.[7]
Awards
The film was nominated for two Image Awards.[8]
Releases
The film was released on video with the title Jailbreakin'. It has also been released as Star-Crossed Roads. The video release is 78 minutes. A review by HR in 1972 running time as 107 minutes. Another source noted that a release of the film through Gateway Films had it 90 minutes.[9]
Reviews
Hanko Herman of The Reformed Free Publishing Association referred to it as "a filthy piece of pornography" in his article "The Christian And Movies" that appeared in Issue: 11, 3/1/1972. This was due to some of the content in the film.[10]
Cast
Johnny Green of Johnny Green and the Greenmen appears in the film. He band also contributed to the music.[11]
Cast list (listed alphabetically)
- Marty Allen ... Harvey Trip
- Sherry Bain ... Reba Stone
- Ray Danton ... Carlton Jacobs
- Erik Estrada ... Justin
- Jason Ledger ... Billie Blue
- Sherry Miles ... May Blue
- Bob Plekker ...Preacher Bob
- Renny Roker ... Al