Prince's 'Purple Rain' turns 30: Can you believe it?

The "Purple Rain" started falling in theaters 30 years ago Sunday: Prince's film debut, in the music-filled movie named after the album and iconic song, opened on July 27, 1984.

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

The “Purple Rain” started falling in theaters 30 years ago Sunday: Prince’s film debut, in the music-filled movie named after the album and iconic song, opened on July 27, 1984.

“It’s probably best to think of the film as an extended music video,” wrote Arizona Republic movie critic Bill Goodykoontz. Yes, but it was a great one.

From the title track to the dare-you-to-sit-still rocking of “Let’s Go Crazy” to the impassioned strains of “I Would Die 4 U,” the music lit up the theaters of America the way Prince lights up a concert hall.

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