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The Temptations
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The Temptations (1998) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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The Temptations (1998) -- hv post

Overview

User Rating:
8.1/10   1,210 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 26% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Allan Arkush
Writers (WGA):
Robert Johnson (teleplay) and
Kevin Arkadie (teleplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Temptations on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 November 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Music more
Tagline:
The unforgettable story of one of Motown's hottest acts.
Plot:
Biography of the singers who formed the hit Motown muisical act, The Temptations. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
'American Idol''s Top 10 Sing Motown
 (From The Insider. 25 March 2009, 7:18 PM, PDT)

Stephen Schwartz Is Guest Of Honor At 'Defying Gravity'
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 23 January 2009, 4:13 PM, PST)

User Comments:
this is an excellent film.an instant classic. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charles Malik Whitfield ... Otis Williams
D.B. Woodside ... Melvin Franklin
Terron Brooks ... Eddie Kendricks

Christian Payton ... Paul Williams
Leon ... David Ruffin
Alan Rosenberg ... Shelly Berger

Tina Lifford ... Haze

Jenifer Lewis ... Mama Rose

Gina Ravera ... Josephine

Obba Babatundé ... Berry Gordy
Erik Michael Tristan ... Smokey Robinson

J. August Richards ... Richard Street
Harold Surratt ... Edgar
Charles Ley ... Dennis Edwards
Vanessa Bell Calloway ... Johnnie Mae Matthews
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:150 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Certification:
Australia:M
Filming Locations:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Otis Williams' ex-wife Josephine, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose, and David Ruffin's family, filed suit against Williams, Motown, De Passe Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment, and NBC for use of their likenesses in the film, defamation of character, and emotional distress. The plaintiffs claimed that they and/or their relatives and certain events were portrayed inaccurately. The judges ruled in favor of the defendants. The plaintiffs appealed but the original ruling was upheld. Otis Williams later stated that while his book was the source material for the film, he did not have control over the making of the film. more
Goofs:
Boom mic visible: When Johnnie Mae rips Otis Williams and the Distants off, Al's microphone is hanging out of his pants when they are all standing in the alley. more
Quotes:
[During a concert break, Paul rushes off stage into the bathroom, coughs and throws up]
Shelly Berger: That was a disaster.
Melvin Franklin: Yeah, Shelly, we know. All right?
Shelly Berger: The next set's in 45 minutes. There's no way he'll be ready.
Eddie Kendricks: He'll be ready.
Shelly Berger: Falling down drunk doesn't get better in 45 minutes, Eddie. You know what we have to do, Otis...
Eddie Kendricks: No! If Paul's not on that stage, I'm not on that stage.
Shelly Berger: The Temptations are known for precision, Eddie. I don't know what that was, but that wasn't it.
Eddie Kendricks: What's it to you, Shelley? You ain't up there.
Shelly Berger: I might as well be. Mr. Gordy holds me responsible for everything that goes on out there.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 7 people found the following comment useful:-
this is an excellent film.an instant classic., 30 August 1999
Author: marzblac from auburn,WA

I have not been so emotionally involved in a television film in a long time,but along comes this charming,insightful,and wonderful film. The cast does a superb job. I never knew much about the temps, one of the greatest groups of all time, had so much strife and personal pain.This movie is an instant classic. I have a much better appreciation for their impact on rock and roll history after seeing this movie.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Temptations (1998) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The dude playing Otis can't dance!! Kellamj
The Cadillacs rock Trinculo
Tammi Terell? ForeverAngel-SS
Otis the most level-headed temptation? matttattack
In the Temptations Movie(1998), there is a song sung by three girls and donnajunne
D.B. Woodside blankly
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