Has anyone seen "The Temptations" TV movie?

[mac56]

First was on NBC back in 1998, I think. I watched most of it last night on VH1 before Ivan knocked out power for two hours. I thought it was remarkably good for a made-for-TV movie. Charles Malik Whitfield as Otis Williams. D.B. Woodside as Melvin Franklin. And Leon as David Ruffin. Amazingly little sugarcoating about the main characters. If they sugarcoated anything at all, it was about how temperamental Berry Gordy could be. And they could have spent a little more time on how important the Temps were culturally. Like someone once told me, "they were our Beatles." (Add on edit: I think he was quoting Robert Townsend with that.)

Anyone else see that movie? Any reactions?

[asjr]

1. I watched it again for the second time today and

enjoyed it all over again. The music is fantastic and it brought back a lot of memories.

[NightTrain]

2. Got it on VHS. Very good film. Unfortunately...

...a lot of the group's story was fictionalized for dramatic effect. Big surprise, huh?

Example: Melvin Franklin's death did not occur as the film portrayed it. Rather, Franklin turned to booze because he was depressed that the problem with his legs had necessitated his no longer being a Temptation after 35 years with the group. Given his already fragile health, alcohol was not something that Franklin should have introduced into his system. It exacerbated his health problems and eventually killed him.

And despite what the film claimed, Smokey Robinson was unable to attend Franklin's funeral because he was out of town on business. Also, Robinson did not write the song "My Buddy" until the film's producers commissioned him to do so!

[mac56]

3. I count on you to know these things, NightTrain.

Thanks!

[NightTrain]

4. Yeah, I know. I need to get out more!

:eyes:

[mac56]

7. then here's a question -

The movie had David Ruffin jumping on stage to take over the lead vocal on "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". Did Ruffin actually sing the lead? Somehow I thought it was Eddie Kendrick.

[NightTrain]

8. It was definitely Ruffin on "Ain't Too Proud To Beg."

Eddie Kendricks almost always sang his leads in a high tenor. Check out "Get Ready" for an excellent example.

[mac56]

9. gotcha

:thumbsup:

[kodi]

5. nice stuff, yet i enjoyed the 5 heartbeats more

its a townsend thing i guess

anyone remember winkie dinkie dogs, and ho-cakes from hollywood shuffle?

[mac56]

10. I think Leon was in both, wasn't he?

nm

[kodi]

11. yeap, a lady's man in both

.

[NYYFan]

6. Yep. Got it really cheap at Wal-Mart years back on VHS

Good and mostly accurate- according to my mom.