Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over (Film Review)

By Gary Johnson – Founder & Publisher (Black Men In America.com)

March 8, 2024

When it comes to documentaries and television specials, I have maintained that the 1990 “Sammy Davis Jr.’s 60th Anniversary Celebration,” was at the top of the list. That tribute to Sammy included appearances and performances by Anita Baker, Bill Cosby, Diahann Carroll, Ella Fitzgerald, Gregory Hines, Bob Hope, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Dean Martin, Richard Pryor, Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder.

Move over Sammy, and make room for the documentary, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over.” This award-winning film was written, produced, and directed by Dave Wooley. This documentary features interviews and insights from Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Olivia Newton John, Gloria Estefan, Snoop Dogg, Gladys Knight, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Melissa Manchester, Burt Bachrach and more.

Wooley crafted this story brilliantly showing Dionne Warwick as a groundbreaking trailblazer who overcame obstacles and remained classy at all times and in every sense of the word. I was entertained, educated, emotionally moved and at the end of the film, I felt “good.”

I had forgotten how bold Dionne Warwick was. She walked in her truth and never wavered displaying “courage” along the way. (I define “courage” as the willingness to act on what you believe to be true). Dionne Warwick was fearless throughout her career. One day she called a meeting at her home with some of the most prominent “gangsta” rappers, including Snoop Dogg and Suge Knight to educate them about the damage their songs were having on the Black community and how they were disrespecting women. She used language that was “hearable” and those rappers, who had the utmost respect for her, gradually eliminated offensive lyrics from their songs. Snoop Dogg had a memorable quote about Dionne Warwick explaining that there were no women like her when she burst on the scene but there were many who were able to follow her and be successful.

Dionne Warwick also overcame racism, sexism, and became the first entertainer of note to take on the AIDS crisis. In 1987, Warwick was appointed United States Ambassador of Health by President Ronald Reagan and became the most visible spokesperson for AIDS/HIV awareness.

Last year Dionne Warwick was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors award for her 60 years in music and her activism and commitment to help others. She’s sold over 100 million records, earned 6 Grammy awards, been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, and the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame.

“Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over” is streaming on HBO MAX.