This biography recounts Anita O'Day's life story by intercutting archival performance footage of the vocalist with fond reminiscences from friends and colleagues. This film showcases performances that date back to the 1940's, with artists Gene Krupa, Roy Eldridge, Stan Kenton, Louis Armstrong, and Hoagy Carmichael. Anita is shown teaching Billy Taylor how to be a jazz vocalist. Bert Stern comments on Anita performing for his film Jazz on a Summer's Day. She speaks candidly with Dick Cavett, Bryant Gumble, and David Frost, and in interviews on 60 Minutes and CBS This Morning. Interviewees include Bryant Gumbel, Harry Reasoner, Dick Clark, Annie Ross, and Johnny Mandel. She talks openly about how she had to overcome great adversities, including a 20 year addiction to heroin and alcohol.

120 minutes