ENTERTAINMENT Lordy, Lordy, "Purple Rain" is 40. With the anniversary of the landmark album and film (officially released June 25 and July 27, 1984, respectively) in mind, here are 40 fun facts about "Purple Rain." 1 Like many things in Prince's career, "Purple Rain" was a big risk.
The movie with a first-time star, first-time director, first-time producer was made for $7 million and grossed $68 million during its theatrical run. 2 "Purple Rain" won an Oscar (for best original song score), it led to four Grammys for Prince, and its blockbuster soundtrack spent 24 consecutive weeks at No. 1 with four Top 10 singles.
3 "Purple Rain" was the second movie Prince shot. During his 1982 tour with the Time, a crew helmed by music video pioneer Chuck Statler filmed concert and off stage footage for an unfinished project known as "The Second Coming." The 16 mm footage remains in Prince's vault.
4 After the success of the album "1999" in '82, Prince's management contract with the L.A.-based firm of Cavallo, Ruffalo & Fargnoli was about to expire.
He wouldn't sign a new deal unless they got him a movie. "'And it can't be financed by some drug dealer or jeweler,'" Bob Cavallo remembered Prince saying. "'It has to be a major studio, and my name has to be above the title.
'" 5 The film's producers talked with David Geff en and Richard Pryor about financing the picture. Football hero Jim Brown ran Pryor's company and wanted to wait until Prince "got more famous." Said Cavallo: "Prince is not .