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The Ballad of Billie Blue
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. StoryA country music singer played by Jason Ledger is wrongly convicted of a crime and as a result ends up being on a Southern chain gang.[1] Marty Allen in a serious role plays a reporter for a scandal newspaper who reports on the singer.[2] BackgroundScreeningsThe 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] AwardsThe film was nominated for two Image Awards.[8] ReleasesThe 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] ReviewsHanko 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] CastJohnny Green of Johnny Green and the Greenmen appears in the film. He band also contributed to the music.[11] Cast list (listed alphabetically)
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