Let the Canary Sing

Let the Canary Sing

The story of music's most authentic superstar.

2023 · 99 min · ★ 6.5 · Documentary, Music

A chronicle of Cyndi Lauper's meteoric ascent to stardom and her profound impact on generations through her music, ever-evolving punk style, unwavering feminism and tireless advocacy. This documentary takes the audience on an engaging exploration of a renowned and pioneering artist who has left a remarkable legacy with her art.

Directed by Alison Ellwood

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Rent or Buy

Cast

Cyndi Lauper Self
Billy Porter Self
Patti LaBelle Self
Boy George Self
Gloria Steinem Self - Ms. Magazine (archive footage)
Wendi Richter Self - Wrestler
Sammy James Jr Self - Musician & Songwriter
Rob Hyman Self - Musician & Songwriter
Holly George-Warren Self - Music Journalist & Author
Elen Lauper Self - Cyndi's Sister
John Turi Self

Make it a double feature

2h 55m together

Let the Canary Sing

Medicating Normal

Both from Alison Ellwood.

More from Alison EllwoodSee all →

Medicating Normal

Medicating Normal · 2020

Medicating Normal

MovieDocumentary

One in five Americans is taking a psychiatric drug, including millions of children. Pharmaceutical companies have over-hyped the benefits of these drugs, while hiding the risks and severe side effects including physiological dependence. "Medicating Normal" explores what happens when for- profit medicine intersects with human beings in distress.

Laurel Canyon

Laurel Canyon · 2020

SeriesDocumentary

Featuring all-new, original interviews with Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Michelle Phillips, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Roger McGuinn and more, this uniquely immersive and experiential two-part docuseries takes us back in time to a place where a rustic canyon in the heart of Los Angeles became a musical petri dish.

American Jihad

American Jihad · 2017

MovieDocumentary

Documentary probe into the phenomenon of home-grown Jihadism, analyzing the strategic outreach and tactics employed by terrorists in order to reach susceptible members of society and what can be done to prevent it. Featuring intimate stories from former Jihadists radicalized to commit violent acts of terrorism and their families and communities caught in the crosshairs.

In Search of the Happy Ending

In Search of the Happy Ending · 1999

In Search of the Happy Ending

MovieDocumentaryHistory

Showtime's "In the 20th Century" is a millennium-related strand of feature-length documentaries in which famous directors take on major subjects of their choosing. In the first of the six films, "In Search of the Happy Ending," filmmaker Garry Marshall delves into the institution of marriage as it has evolved in America throughout the past 100 years.

No Limits

No Limits · 2013

MovieDocumentary

Suffering from scoliosis as a teenager, Audrey Mestre found freedom in the ocean. Years later, she discovered another reason to love the water: the elusive, often raucous free diver Pipin Ferreras. As Mestre follows Ferreras's almost spiritual quest to push his limits underwater, she moves from supporter to ardent free diver to world-class competitor. Then a challenge from a rival pushes the couple to the brink of what is possible, both above and below the surface.

How to Change Your Mind

How to Change Your Mind · 2022

How to Change Your Mind

SeriesDocumentaryMystery

Author Michael Pollan leads the way in this docuseries exploring the history and uses of psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, MDMA and mescaline.

Influenza 1918

Influenza 1918 · 1998

MovieDocumentaryHistory

Influenza 1918 is the story of the worst epidemic the United States has ever known. Before it was over, the flu would kill more than 600,000 Americans - more than all the combat deaths of this century combined.

History of the Eagles

History of the Eagles · 2013

History of the Eagles

SeriesDocumentary

Alison Ellwood’s intimate, meticulously crafted patchwork of rare archival material, concert footage, and unseen home movies explores the evolution and enduring popularity of one of America’s truly defining bands. This exceptional two-disc set includes History of the Eagles Part One and History of the Eagles Part Two, as well as Eagles Live At The Capital Centre - March 1977, featuring never-before-released performances from the Eagles’ two-night stand at Washington, D.C.’s Capital Center Arena during the legendary Hotel California tour.

Prisoners of the War on Drugs

Prisoners of the War on Drugs · 1996

Prisoners of the War on Drugs

MovieDocumentary

From its beginning during the Reagan years through current times, the War on Drugs has left many victims stranded in the prison system. PRISONERS OF THE WAR ON DRUGS reveals life behind bars in the nation’s prisons. Each prisoner has his or her own story, but for most, the story is predictably similar; they have been criminalized for drugs or drug related offenses, locked up with easy access to substances, and given little opportunity for rehabilitation. This film provides an inside look at the prison system, its prisoners and a war on drugs we do not seem to be winning.

True Life

True Life · 1998

SeriesDocumentaryReality

True Life is a documentary series running on MTV since March 24, 1998. Each episode follows a particular topic, such as heroin addiction as in the first episode, "Fatal Dose." The show is created by following a series of subjects by a camera crew through a certain part of their lives.

The Wonderland Massacre & the Secret History of Hollywood

The Wonderland Massacre & the Secret History of Hollywood · 2024

The Wonderland Massacre & the Secret History of Hollywood

SeriesDocumentaryCrime

Michael Connelly takes viewers on a wild journey into the twisted story of the massacre at Wonderland Avenue on July 1, 1981 – one of Hollywood's most famous murder cases that has fascinated people for more than 40 years.

The Go-Go's

The Go-Go's · 2021

MovieDocumentaryMusic

As the first all-female band to play their instruments, write their songs and have a No. 1 album, The Go-Go’s made history. Underpinned by candid testimonies, this film chronicles the meteoric rise to fame of a band born in the LA punk scene who became a pop phenomenon.

Casino Jack and the United States of Money

Casino Jack and the United States of Money · 2010

Casino Jack and the United States of Money

MovieDocumentary

A probing investigation into the lies, greed and corruption surrounding D.C. super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his cronies.

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson · 2008

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

MovieDocumentary

Fueled by a raging libido, Wild Turkey, and superhuman doses of drugs, Thompson was a true "free lance, " goring sacred cows with impunity, hilarity, and a steel-eyed conviction for writing wrongs. Focusing on the good doctor's heyday, 1965 to 1975, the film includes clips of never-before-seen (nor heard) home movies, audiotapes, and passages from unpublished manuscripts.

Totally Under Control

Totally Under Control · 2021

Totally Under Control

MovieDocumentary

This documentary puts a spotlight on the White House’s failed response to the global pandemic and how it could have been prevented. Featuring damning testimony from public health officials and hard investigative reporting, director Alex Gibney reveals a system-wide collapse caused by a profound dereliction of presidential leadership.

Tanner '88

Tanner '88 · 1988

SeriesComedyWar & Politics

In 1988, renegade filmmaker Robert Altman and Pulitzer Prize–winning Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau created a presidential candidate, ran him alongside the other hopefuls during the primary season, and presented their media campaign as a cross between a soap opera and TV news. The result was the groundbreaking Tanner ’88, a piercing satire of media-age American politics.

More Like This

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson · 2017

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

MovieDocumentary

Describing herself as a 'street queen,' Johnson was a legendary fixture in New York City’s gay ghetto and a tireless voice for LGBT pride since the days of Stonewall, who along with fellow trans icon Sylvia Rivera, founded Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), a trans activist group based in the heart of NYC’s Greenwich Village. Her death in 1992 was declared a suicide by the NYPD, but friends never accepted that version of events. Structured as a whodunit, with activist Victoria Cruz cast as detective and audience surrogate, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson celebrates the lasting political legacy of Johnson, while seeking to finally solve the mystery of her unexplained death.

Gilbert

Gilbert · 2017

MovieDocumentary

The life and career of one of comedy's most inimitable modern voices, Mr. Gilbert Gottfried.

The 11th Hour

The 11th Hour · 2007

MovieDocumentaryDrama

A look at the state of the global environment including visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's ecosystems. Featuring ongoing dialogues of experts from all over the world, including former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolse

Desert Dancer

Desert Dancer · 2014

MovieDramaMusic

Inspirational true story of Iranian dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, who risked his life for his dream to become a dancer despite a nationwide dancing ban.

Whitney: Can I Be Me

Whitney: Can I Be Me · 2017

Whitney: Can I Be Me

MovieMusicDocumentary

The life and tragic death of Whitney Houston.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter