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.
Story A 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.The Terre Haute Tribune, Saturday, July 10, 1976 - Page 16 Marty Allen in a serious role plays a reporter for a scandal newspaper who reports on the singer.The Journal Gazette, Thursday, July 15, 1971 - Page 20
Background Screenings The film premiered in Grand Rapids, Michigan in February, 1972.Turner Classic Movies - The Ballad of Billie Blue(1972) The film opened Thursday April 20, 1972 at the Holland Theatre and was showing for a week.The Holland Evening Sentinel, Friday, April 21, 1972 - Page 15 'Billie Blue' in Holland It was scheduled for screening at the Peoria Christian Center on Saturday, July 19, 1975.The Pantagraph, Wednesday, July 16, 1975 - Page 12 Peoria center to show film The film was showing at the Grand Theatre in July 1976.The Terre Haute Tribune, Saturday, July 10, 1976 - Page 16 An organization called Christian Young People had the film showing at the Ottawa Technical High School at 8PM, April 26, 1979.The Ottawa Journal, April 26, 1979 - THE WEEK AHEAD, TONIGHT, FILMS
Awards The film was nominated for two Image Awards.The Holland Evening Sentinel, Friday, April 21, 1972 - Page 15 'Billie Blue' in Holland
Releases The 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.American Film Institute - The Ballad of Billie Blue (1972)
Reviews Hanko 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.The Reformed Free Publishing Association, Volume 48/, Issue: 11, 3/1/1972 - The Christian And Movies By Hanko Herman
Cast Johnny Green of Johnny Green and the Greenmen appears in the film. He band also contributed to the music.Beloit Daily News, February 15, 2007 - Famous band to play for Crime Stoppers fund-raiser in Beloit By Holly Myers
Cast list (listed alphabetically) Marty Allen ... Harvey Trip Sherry Bain ... Reba Stone Ray Danton ... Carlton Jacobs Erik Estrada ... Justin Jason Ledger ... Billie Blue Sherry Miles ... May Blue Bob Plekker ...Preacher Bob Renny Roker ... Al
References
External links Imdb: The Ballad of Billie Blue TCM: The Ballad of Billie Blue