HBO and the City of Chattanooga are bringing a TV movie about Bessie Smith to the big screen at the Tivoli Theater on May 21, 2015.
Bessie! aired on HBO earlier in May and will likely repeat at some point but this is a big screen showing including a blue carpet gala to celebrate the life of Bessie Smith. The Empress of Blues was born and raised in Chattanooga and eventually became one of the highest paid singers of her time. She was killed in an automobile accident in 1937. The biopic Bessie! is rated R and touches on domestic violence and Bessie's love affairs.
