Patsy Cline (portrayed by Jessica Lange) had a brilliant future ahead of her when she was killed in an airplane crash while traveling with her manager, Randy Hughes. A rising star in the country music scene, Patsy’s career was cut short by this horrible tragedy.
Patsy had a natural talent for singing since she was very young. Typical of many successful singing stars, Patsy’s early life was one of poverty in a single parent home. She became a country singer in neighborhood night spots in her native Virginia, trapped in a loveless marriage with Jerry Cline until she met and married the charismatic Charlie Dick (Ed Harris) who swept her off her feet. They loved each other deeply.
Patsy convinced her mother to act as her talent scout so that Patsy could perform on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show at which she came in at First Place. This gave her career its first big boost.
Patsy’s popularity really took off when she teamed with manager Randy Hughes who suggested she switch to singing slow ballads instead of the country genre she was known for. Her fans reacted positively to her renditions of Crazy, Walking After Midnight, Sweet Dreams, I Fall to Pieces, Your Cheatin’ Heart, and many others.
Not so, her husband Charlie. Unfortunately, Patsy’s success roused Charlie’s envy, highlighted his own inadequacies, and caused him to become bitter and unhappy in their relationship. Patsy became a stay-at-home mom when their daughter Julie was born, but when Charlie was inducted into the army, she returned to singing while her mother cared for Julie at home.
One of the most poignant moments in the film was the scene where Charlie, still in the army, drives his motorcycle home to see Patsy, then drives her in her car to the tavern where they first met and where they danced outside the tavern. Even though it was raining heavily, Charlie danced outside again with Patsy, indicating to her his constant love for her.
Still, Charlie could not overcome his drinking problem which caused him on two occasions to physically harm Patsy. They were never again to reconcile prior to her death.
Randy Hughes’ plane crashed on March 5, 1963 ending four lives including Patsy Cline’s at the age of 30.
Jessica Lange was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Patsy Cline in Sweet Dreams. She successfully lip-synced Patsy’s recorded voice for all of the songs in the film.
Sources:
Movie – Sweet Dreams – Life of Patsy Cline (1985)
www.imdb.com/title/tt0090110
