Top 10 Things The United States Vs. Billie Holiday Got Factually Right & Wrong

“Strange Fruit” stemmed from a 1937 poem entitled “Bitter Fruit,” written by Jewish-American school teacher Abel Meeropol. First performed by Holiday in 1939 at Café Society, the controversial song took a passionate stand against lynching. In the film, Holiday is dragged off stage while performing “Strange Fruit,” which actually happened at Earle Theater in Philadelphia. Aware of the risks, Holiday was partly inspired to perform the song because it reminded her of how her father, Clarence Holiday, died after being refused treatment for persistent lung issues following his service in World War I. As the government fought to silence Holiday, the message behind “Strange Fruit” helped plant the seeds for the civil rights movement. As of writing, though, an anti-lynching bill has yet to be approved by both the U.S. House and Senate.

Granted, actor Garrett Hedlund is younger than Anslinger would’ve been in the 1940s and 50s. Hedlund does capture the ignorance and hate that Anslinger embodied, however. The first person to lead the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Anslinger believed there was a correlation between “Marijuana and Musicians.” In addition to drugs, he essentially waged war against jazz, particularly Holiday and “Strange Fruit.” Of course, Holiday was far from the only member of the black community targeted by Anslinger. According to Johann Hari, who wrote the book that this film is based on, “[Anslinger] was so racist that he was regarded as a crazy racist in the 1920s.” And yet, Anslinger received an Outstanding Record Citation from President Kennedy.

Like many music biopics, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” begins with the central figure reflecting on their life. In this film’s framing device, Holiday does an interview with a gossipy journalist named Reginald Lord Devine, played by Leslie Jordan. The film claims the interview took place on May 3, 1957, two years before Holiday’s death. Devine is a purely fictional character, however. Speaking with Variety, director Lee Daniels stated, “When I was thinking about this character — a journalist who interviews celebrities down on their luck – I envisioned a fusion of Quentin Crisp and Skip E. Lowe, a role I knew only Leslie could bring to life.” While not real, we’ll gladly say yes to any film featuring Beverly Leslie with cooler hair.

Although Anslinger an was outspokenly racist, he believed African-American agents would have better luck infiltrating Holiday’s inner circle. Trevante Rhodes portrays Jimmy Fletcher, a real-life federal agent tasked with busting Holiday for drugs. Though the film depicts them meeting backstage, Fletcher first encountered the singer at her brother-in-law’s apartment. Reportedly she was under the influence of drugs and booze at the time, as we see referenced on screen. Fletcher later saw her at a brothel, but no reports confirm he attended a funeral for Holiday’s dog. Despite Fletcher’s commitment to the job, the Bureau didn’t treat him as an equal. In an interview with Linda Kuehl later in his life, Fletcher reportedly expressed regret for betraying Holiday, claiming she forgave him with a signed copy of her autobiography.

While Holiday was close with actress Tallulah Bankhead, the nature of the relationship is up for debate. It’s believed by many that Holiday and Bankhead were romantically involved, but some sources regard this as a rumor. The filmmakers thus take an ambiguous approach to their relationship. That said, the film does lean towards a secret romance, particularly when Holiday tries taking the elevator to Bankhead’s room. Bankhead notably didn’t bring up Holiday in her autobiography. At the request of Bankhead’s lawyers, she was mostly kept out of Holiday’s memoir as well. Bankhead is only mentioned once as “a friend who sometimes came around to the house to eat spaghetti.” Although Bankhead was openly bisexual, she clearly didn’t want the media dissecting her relationship with Holiday.

In a flashback, the audience and Fletcher are given a glimpse of Holiday’s traumatic childhood when she went by her given name, Eleanora Fagan. Young Eleanora is seen living in a brothel with her mother, who works as a prostitute. In an especially uncomfortable moment, Eleanora’s mother gives her two options: she can either live with a neighbor around the corner or work in the brothel. Much of this scene sadly rings true. Eleanora’s mother was absent for much of her childhood, relying on others to raise her daughter. Early in 1929, Eleanora went to live with her mother at a Harlem brothel. The then-nearly-fourteen Eleanora was quickly subjected to sex trafficking, which, sadly, wasn’t the first time she had been taken advantage of.

For all the hardships in Holiday’s life, this film also explores her triumphs. One of the most uplifting moments in Holiday’s career occurred on March 27, 1948, when she performed before a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall. This marked Holiday’s comeback following her time in prison. The concert was indeed the brainchild of manager Ed Fishman, although Holiday feared that the public wouldn’t welcome her back with open arms. Despite her initial resistance, Holiday went on with the show, which sold a then-record-breaking 2,700 advance tickets. In the film, Holiday declines an audience member’s request to sing “Strange Fruit.” While the song was actually on her setlist, this doesn’t necessarily mean she performed it. Either way, Billie was officially back.

The film is called “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” for a reason. While the depiction of Holiday’s arrest is mostly accurate, the filmmakers omit a few details. Fletcher was sent to raid Holiday’s residence, but he knocked first, pretending to be a telegram messenger. The singer really did strip down in front of the authorities, but she further protested by urinating on the floor. Holiday was arrested on May 16, 1947 for narcotics possession. Pleading guilty, she hoped to be sent to a hospital, but instead was sentenced to one year and one day in prison. She received an early release for good behavior. Holiday had previously been arrested and imprisoned with her mother after their brothel was raided in 1929.

Of all the subplots, Holiday’s romance with Fletcher has inspired the most debate. Some believe this is simply Hollywood screenwriting at work. According to Johann Hari, however, Fletcher did get to know Holiday, danced with her at clubs, and played with her dog. Hari believes that Feltcher “fell in love with her,” which is possible. It’s also possible that Fletcher did drugs to get close to Holiday, as this was common among undercover agents. Still, there’s little proof that the two had a full-blown love affair as the film suggests. In any case, Fletcher didn’t accompany Holiday on a tour or stay by her side in the hospital. As much as Fletcher regretted his actions, he probably wasn’t Holiday’s knight in shining armor either.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Holiday’s Connection to Orson Welles, Right
The Singer Did Have an Affair with the “Citizen Kane” Director

Holiday’s Troubled Marriages & Relationships, Right
Jimmy Monroe, Joe Guy, & Louis McKay All Did Wrong by Her

Holiday’s Love of Dogs, Right
From Great Danes to Chihuahuas, She Adored Dogs of All Sizes

Holiday’s Cabaret Card Was Revoked, Right
She Could Perform at Theaters & Concert Halls, But Nowhere That Sold Alcohol

As we see through Andra Day’s heartbreaking portrayal, Holiday had a long history of addiction that she unfortunately never overcame. By 1959, the singer was battling liver and heart diseases. Even as her health deteriorated, the authorities continued to harass Holiday. As she lay on her deathbed, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics raided her hospital room and placed her under arrest for drug possession. The Bureau had Holiday handcuffed to the bed while her room was guarded by the police. Anslinger also cut off Holiday’s methadone as she endured withdrawal. At age 44, Holiday died on July 17, 1959 from cirrhosis. Although Holiday was a victim of substance abuse, you can argue the Bureau’s “war on drugs” also played a significant role in her untimely death.