Billie Jean King Movies
- 2007
- Add Kate Clinton: The 25th Anniversary Tour to QueueAdd Kate Clinton: The 25th Anniversary Tour to top of Queue
The self-proclaimed "Last Lesbian Comic Standing," Kate Clinton stands at the forefront of the lesbian movement thanks to her fearless, politically-charged humor and pointed insight into female sexuality. A former high school English teacher who walked away from her day job back in 1981, Clinton has since gone on to deliver twenty-five years of laughs. Now, in order to mark her Silver Anniversary as a performer, Clinton embarks on a fifty city tour entitled "It's Come to This" and sponsored by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Now, as Clinton takes the Long Beach stage to target everything from gay cruises to the passing of the pope and proper attire for being spotted by surveillance cameras, both the longtime fans and the uninitiated alike will discover just what all the fuss is about. Inter-cut with the performance is a variety of personal moments that happened during the tour and were captured on camera - including backstage conversations with longtime partner Urvashi Vaid and footage captured during Clinton's public reading from her book What the L?. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kate Clinton, Urvashi Vaid, (more)
- 2000
This made-for-cable documentary traces the intimate relationship between professional athletics and sexuality over the past century. From the use of sex appeal in the marketing of sports to the private lives of athletes both straight (legendary womanizer Wilt Chamberlain) and gay (Billie Jean King, whose career was derailed by a lesbian palimony suit), the film looks at sexuality as both a commercial aspect of sports in general and a personal issue for the athletes themselves. Former Laker Girl and pop star Paula Abdul discusses the ascension of cheerleading to a national passion after the advent of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, while tennis legend Martina Navratilova gives a feminist perspective on the success of young sexpot Anna Kournikova. Archival footage and new interviews with everyone from boxer Sugar Ray Leonard to Sports magazine editor Dick Schaap are interspersed with commentary and actor Liev Schreiber's narration. Playing the Field: Sports and Sex in America premiered December 20, 2000, on HBO as part of the network's "Sports of the 20th Century" series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Add Legends of Wimbledon: Billie Jean King to QueueAdd Legends of Wimbledon: Billie Jean King to top of Queue
Billie Jean King became one of the few female sports stars who transcended her sport to become a cultural icon, thanks in large part to her victory over Bobby Jones in the famous tennis "Battle of the Sexes." Legends of Wimbledon: Billie Jean King documents her phenomenal success at the sport-s most historic tournament. In additin to footage of her playing, the video features interviews by other champions discussing her influence. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
