Based on the true story of Louisiana Governor Earl Long's scandalous love affair with stripper Blaze Starr, BLAZE retells the tale of the fiery, eccentric governor who falls for a New Orleans stripper. Their relationship forces him to choose between the office he's got and the woman he wants. He chooses both! Paul Newman shines as the flamboyant, middle-aged Long in this Oscar-nominated (Best Cinematography--Haskell Wexler) and oftentimes humorous docudrama.

The true story of flamboyant Louisiana governor Earl Long's tempestuous affair with New Orleans stripper Blaze Starr.

Color by DuArt; prints by Technicolor.

Estimated budget $18 million.

Paul Newman had dropped out of the project for a time but returned to the cast a few months before production began.

The first starring role for actress Lolita Davidovich.

The real Blaze Starr has a brief cameo appearance in the film; she's backstage as "Lily" -- a stripper who Paul Newman kisses on the shoulder in one scene. Ms. Starr is also credited as a production consultant.

Excerpt: "Would you still love me just as much if I wasn't the fine governor of the great state of Louisiana?" -- Earl K. Long (Paul Newman)

"Would you still love me if I had little tits and worked in a fish house?" -- Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovich)

DVD Features:

Region 1

Distributor Notes: Blaze

Academy Award(R)-winner Paul Newman (1986 Best Actor, THE COLOR OF MONEY) scorches the screen in this hilarious, sexy comedy from the creator of BULL DURHAM. Newman stars as a fiery, eccentric governor who falls head over heels in love with the dazzling Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovich, PLAY IT FOR THE BONE), an innocent New Orleans stripper with a heart of gold. Forced to choose between the office he holds and the woman he loves, he chooses both ... igniting an outrageous scandal full of trouble, tenderness, and sexy high-spirited fun! Critically acclaimed, this sizzling tale delivers the year's most entertaining look at an offbeat love story!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Paul Newman: Oscar-winning American actor, THE COLOR OF MONEY
Lolita Davidovich: Canadian Actress/In USA
Jerry Hardin: American Actor
Gailard Sartain: American Supporting Actor
Jeffrey DeMunn: American character actor
Richard Jenkins: American actor
Brandon Smith: 
Robert Wuhl: American TV/Film Actor
Blaze Starr: Author/Stripper
Bernie Wallace: 

Ron Shelton: Sports-obsessed writer/director, BULL DURHAM/TIN CUP
Haskell Wexler: Cinematographer/Director/Producer/Screenwriter

Dale Pollock: 

Robert Leighton: 

"...This is a funny, sexy movie..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
"...Lolita Davidovich is luscious and endearing all at once....BLAZE is hugely enjoyable, with fluid, sensual camera work..."
"...The role of Earl Long is tailor-made for [Newman]....Big, blustery and for the most part very lively..."