Delois Blakely, Harlem Nun, Claims Disney Ripped Off 'Sister Act'

Posted November 11th, 2011 12:30PM

CATEGORIES Movie News

Remember 'Sister Act'? That Whoopi Goldberg comedy from 1992 that spawned a not-so-decent sequel along with a Broadway production? Well, a nun in Harlem certainly does, particularly because -- according to her -- Disney stole the idea for the movie from her life. The woman in question is Delois Blakley, whose 1987 autobiography, 'The Harlem Street Nun,' focused on her life as a "young, Black, singing nun serving the street people and youths of Harlem." She's now suing the studios behind 'Sister Act,' with allegations of breach of contract, misappropriation of likeness and unjust enrichment.

According to the complaint (which you can read in full over on The Hollywood Reporter), Blakely approached Hollywood studio executives about possibly making the movie, with TriStar Pictures expressing interest. The studios declined to comment on the legal matter.

[via THR]

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46 Comments

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jnub4

UGH what an ugly mugly she is

November 12 2011 at 10:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

froggyanearl

If she is owed money she should get it, but it's been almost 20 years now, is there a legal time limit to this sort of thing, apparently not sense she filed the lawsuit already. Seems odd she would take this long to file but who knows what the circumstances are. I wouldn't put it past Disney though nothing they have done in the past 30 or so years as been totally original. Every movie they make is based on something or another I can't image sister act is any different it was likly based on something whether loosely or literally. They are now starting to remake what they remade already before. When Walt Disney died so did any creativity Disney had, even then it wasn't too creative either. My vote is is it is more likely this nun is right and Disney did steal it. Good luck to her, and she is right hope she gets what she deserves.

November 12 2011 at 9:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to froggyanearl's comment

LINKTheReaper

there is a legal time but its different for some states but she shouldnt get anything unless she pitched the idea to them and if she didnt pitch the idea then shes just a greedy old nun

November 12 2011 at 11:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ken.w Siemers

I guess all some folks can do is sue, sue, sue. Doesn't anybody earn, earn, earn any more????

November 12 2011 at 8:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Ken.w Siemers's comment

lilpixiefig

She is trying to earn the fruits of her labor: her book.

November 12 2011 at 9:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ppeterdds

When I was growing up going to Catholic Schools the Sisters were all about self sacrifice for our betterment. Back then they were the 1% and were respected for it. I get the feeling this one wishes now to be one of the 'other' 1%. Who needs poverty, chastity and obedience when one can have riches, promiscuity and licentiousness?

November 12 2011 at 7:50 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

We don't know why she failed to sue. The bottom line is if she went to TriStar and Disney stole her idea, they owe her $$, no matter how many years have passed.

Does anyone remember the automatic windshield wipers and Ford??? Give the sister her money.

November 12 2011 at 6:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to lilpixiefig's comment

musicprophen

Heres what this lady is saying that happened. She says that she wrote a book called The Harlem Street Nun back in 1987 though this autobiography was never made into a book and was never published. She is saying that the story was influenced by the life of this women which Whoopie played a nun called (Deloris Van Cartier). It was not a disney picture/production it was touchstone pictures for Sister Act. She was apparently given money for her story hence the breach of contract thing she's suing for. Scott Rudin the producer of Sister Act apparently took the story from tri-star to Disney, but Disney never made the film. It was not a walt disney production/picture it was Touchstone. She was apparently given money for the rights of this story. Which again is the breach of contract. Although the movie was filmed at Walt Disney Studio's and Disney did release the movie on VHS and DVD.

She sold the rights to them for them to make a movie out of it. She got her money and residuals now basically she ran out of money and wants more money. Thats what i'm getting at.

If you sell the rights to something and you get paid it is no longer yours. Since she is claiming breach of contract that is proof she sold them the story. I do not believe that she will not get much money from this, maybe the money from what the contract stated. The other allegations she's suing for will be dismissed in my opinion.

One other thing is that if she went to tri-star with it but i do not recall tri-star having anything to do with this movie. I am surprised she isn't suing Touchstone too? That is the only thing that isn't making sense.

November 12 2011 at 9:35 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

This person is suing Disney almost 20 years after the movie debuted? Where has she been? Hiding under a rock? Are there no statute of limitations on civil actions?

November 12 2011 at 4:44 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

Ricardo Martin

What's with the memory of these people? This is like the third or so law suit of this kind I've heard this year. The point is to sue AFTER the movie is released, not on the 20 year DVD anniversary!

November 12 2011 at 4:35 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

xxdirtynunxx

haha. How far behind are they in her church that she is just seeing Sister Act? Maybe in ten years she'll see it on dvd.

November 12 2011 at 1:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jrsurferboy

get some body,to push up your glasses!! mars needs women!!

November 11 2011 at 11:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

User

We'll have to see what she gets out of the lawsuit. Certainly it won't be money since they take a vow of poverty...right, Sister?

November 11 2011 at 11:21 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

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Delois Blakely, Harlem Nun, Claims Disney Ripped Off 'Sister Act'

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