Couples have romantic kisses and make out on-screen and sometimes are shown relaxing in bed semi-clothed. Nothing too suggestive.

Two lead actors' ages during production were 16 and 26. They kiss several times.

Two men get into a brutal street brawl.

Police officers fire shots at a fleeing suspect during a drug bust.

Gangsters threaten a man with a gun at close range.

One brief scene featuring cockfighting is present.

Infrequent mild profanity like "ass", "damn", "hell" and "shit". Some brief instances of racial slurs like "nigger" are present.

Many of the singing scenes feature performances in nightclubs, where people are smoking and drinking casually and socially.

Several main and supporting characters smoke cigarettes and cigars regularly.

A rags-to-riches story featuring mature thematic material like infidelity, drug abuse, domestic violence, family drama etc. Period-typical racism is also present. Some of these scenes can be intense and disturbing.