Ossie Davis Director Brock Peters Earl Actor Leslie Uggams Netta Actor Peggy Pettit Billie Jean Actor Claudia McNeil Mu' Dear Actor Louise Stubbs Mama Rose Actor Gloria Edwards Norma Actor Loretta Greene Ruth Ann Actor Kent Martin Herbert Actor Ruby Dee Netta's mother Actor Gertrude Jeannette Sister Jenkins Actor Carl Byrd Actor Damu King Actor Erik Kilpatrick Actor Morris Buchanan Actor Bob Harris Ernie Actor J.E. Franklin Screenwriter Lee Savin Producer Robert H. Greenberg Executive Producer Glenwood J. Swanson Cinematographer Graham Lee Mahin Film Editing Ed Bogas Original Music Ray Shanklin Original Music W. Eben Smith Production Design Judith Landau Casting