Just Dusty - Just Dusty: The Real Dusty Springfield

The gospel behind the greasepaint

The real Dusty Springfield was a “glorious fake”, famous for her beehive wigs, heavy makeup and mischief – and a million miles from her humble beginnings as plain, straightlaced Catholic Mary O’Neill. Strictly anti-apartheid, she was an early supporter of the Motown sound and campaigned to give black soul singers a platform in the UK, culminating in her hosting a Ready Steady Go “Sound Of Motown” special in 1965.

Footage of the programme is included in this film, along with performances from the 60s, her 80s comeback and during her subsequent illness in the mid-90s. Marking the 10th anniversary of her death, Just Dusty sparkles with absorbing accounts of an extraordinarily talented character, poignantly chronicling her battles with the American market, spiralling drug and alcohol addictions and, finally, breast cancer.

At times there’s an unnecessary emphasis on Dusty’s insecurities and “painted smile”, while it’s a shame that some of the most touching accounts of her – anecdotes told by her closest friends – aren’t included in the main feature. That said, Just Dusty does a sound job of balancing the star’s personal complexities with an effortless musical splendour – a contrast which, in life, was her charm and, as a result, while orchestrated, was nonetheless genuine.

Odeon | ODNM 020

Reviewed by Emmy Watts
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