Porgy and Bess poster
FilmDramaRomanceMusic

Porgy and Bess (1959)

1959-06-24 · 2h 18m · EN
67%
User score
19 votes
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Set in the early 1900s in the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston, South Carolina, which serves as home to a black fishing community, the story focuses on the titular characters, crippled beggar Porgy, who travels about in a goat-drawn cart, and the drug-addicted Bess, who lives with stevedore Crown, the local bully.

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Otto PremingerDirector
Budget
$7M

Media

Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Sidney PoitierSidney PoitierPorgyDorothy DandridgeDorothy DandridgeBessSammy Davis Jr.Sammy Davis Jr.Sportin' LifePearl BaileyPearl BaileyMariaBrock PetersBrock PetersCrowneDiahann CarrollDiahann CarrollClaraLeslie ScottLeslie ScottJakeRuth AttawayRuth AttawaySerena RobbinsClaude AkinsClaude AkinsDetectiveClarence MuseClarence MusePeterEverdinne WilsonEverdinne WilsonAnnieIvan DixonIvan DixonJim

Keywords

MusicalMusicEarly 1900sFishermanSouth carolinaBased on operaCharleston

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDrama · Romance · MusicTheme affinityMusical · Music · Early 1900sMood preferenceRomanceDialogue densityDramaPacingLongEmotional intensityRomance

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Frequently asked questions about Porgy and Bess

What is Porgy and Bess about?

Set in the early 1900s in the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston, South Carolina, which serves as home to a black fishing community, the story focuses on the titular characters, crippled beggar Porgy, who travels about in a goat-drawn cart, and the drug-addicted Bess, who lives with stevedore Crown, the local bully.

How long is Porgy and Bess?

Porgy and Bess has a runtime of 138 minutes.