Jon Bream reports that Prince’s $6 million film Purple Rain has been filmed under tight secrecy since November 5, with a strict media embargo and extras required to sign agreements not to discuss the project. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Monday, December 19, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment (Page 4C) Byline: Jon Bream, Staff Writer THE STORY The article details the highly secretive production of Purple Rain. Despite the closed sets and non

Prince and his cast and crew have finished shooting the concert scenes last week at First Avenue. The filming is expected to wrap up this week at a studio in Eden Prairie. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, December 18, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Brief news item THE STORY A concise update reporting that the major concert sequences at the iconic First Avenue club have been completed, with principal photography scheduled to conclu

“‘Purple Rain’ cast outfitted locally” — The film, currently being shot in the Twin Cities, outfitted around 100 extras at local Minneapolis stores including J.J. Flash, Pants Plus, and The Arcade. The hottest item: colorful nylon peg-legged pants. Publication: Minneapolis Star and TribuneDate: Wednesday, November 23, 1983 Country: United States Section: Off the cuff / Bonnie Miller Rubin (Page 2C) THE STORY The article highlights how the Purple Rain production sourced costum

This was the fifth and final single released from Prince’s breakthrough double album 1999. Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Date: November 23, 1983 Catalogue: 7-29548 Format: 7" Single Country: USA Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince TRACK LIST Side A Let’s Pretend We’re Married (3:40) Side B Irresistible Bitch (4:11) PERSONNEL Prince – vocals, all instruments, production Wendy & Lisa – background vocals (on Irresistible Bitch) THE STORY “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” wa

Columnist Barbara Flanagan reports that Minneapolis’s own Prince is set to become a movie star, with high-fashion model Apollonia (Apollonia Van Ravenstein) rumored to co-star in Purple Rain. Filming of Prince’s first feature film is scheduled to begin that week at key ocations including First Avenue, 7th Street, and 1st Avenue North. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune (Star Tribune) Date: Monday, November 21, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Barbar

Prince’s Funk Proposal — a sleek, seductive synth‑funk plea backed with the sultry snarl of Irresistible Bitch RELEASE DETAILS Date: November 16, 1983 Catalogue: 9 20170-0 A / 0-20170 (12") Format: 7" Single, 12" Maxi-Single, Promo Country: United States (worldwide variants) A-Side: “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” – 7:20 B-Side: “Irresistible Bitch” – 4:11 (feat. Wendy & Lisa on backing vocals) THE STORY Released on November 16, 1983 as a 12" maxi-single (with 7" editions also

A short entertainment brief noting that Prince was filming “Purple Rain” last week on Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis, while also mentioning Andre Cymone’s recent chart success and production work (including a group positioned as a counterpart to Vanity 6). Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune (Star Tribune) Date: Sunday, November 13, 1983 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / In the wings column THE STORY T he item reports that Prince was actively shooting scene

A local news brief in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune noting that Prince is preparing for the filming of his first feature film Purple Rain later in November, while continuing work on records for The Time, Vanity 6, and himself, as “Delirious” climbs the charts. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribune Date: Sunday, November 6, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment / In the wings Title: In the wings (Prince / Purple Rain update) THE STORY The short item

A bold, high-impact promotional advert for Prince’s double album 1999 and the breakthrough single “Little Red Corvette,” positioning him as a revolutionary force changing the face of rock. SOURCE DETAILS Publication / Format: WEA Records Promotional Advert (likely placed in music magazines) Date: 1983 (during the 1999 campaign) Country: United States / International Section / Pages: Full-page promotional advertisement THE STORY This striking advert promotes the special-priced

A local production update in the Star Tribune detailing plans for Prince’s first feature film Purple Rain, including the start of filming on November 1, auditions for dancers and extras at First Avenue, and an anticipated April 1984 release Publication: Star Tribune Date: Sunday, October 2, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: In the wings / Film Title: In the wings (Purple Rain production details) THE STORY The article announces that Purple Rain, starring Prince as a