ACAJOU Berry Gordys (1975) Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Beah Richards collections LCS

Mahoganywas the first movie to use Paramounts "Blue Mountain" logo, which was used until December 1986.The role of Tracy Chambers was originally written for Liza Minelli but was eventually offered to Diana Ross. Ross and Billy Dee Williams previously co-starred inLady Sings the Blues(1972).Diana Rossdesigned some of the costumes in the fashion show sequence herself.ProducerBerry Gordyfired original directorTony Richardsonand then took over direction of the picture himself.Screenwriter John Byrum also wrote and directed the X-rated film,Inserts, starring Richard Dreyfuss, in the same year (1975).The theme song, "Do You Know Where Youre Going To," was at first considered not acceptable "because of quality standards" for being an Oscar contender, butBerry Gordy successfully lobbied the Academy into nominating it.