On this day in 1985, WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES released THE COLOR PURPLE. Directed by STEVEN SPEILBERG (Happy Birthday, BTW!) from the best selling novel by ALICE WALKER, this movie took all kinds of flack when released but went on to become one of the most beloved and iconic films of all time to African-American audiences. The amazing cast includes DANNY GLOVER, WHOOPI GOLDBERG, MARGARET AVERY, OPRAH WINFREY, RAE DAWN CHONG and ADOLPH CEASAR.