Little Richard (2000) (TV)

Director:

Robert Townsend

Writers (WGA):

Bill Kerby (written by) and
Daniel Taplitz (written by)

Release Date:

20 February 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Plot:

The story of Little Richard, from his poor Southern upbringing to dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a black singer in the 50's, to his born-again phase & brief "retirement" from rock and roll. |

Plot Keywords:

Singer | Boxing | Elvis Presley | Kitchen | Church

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Leon	...	Little Richard
Jenifer Lewis	...	Muh Penniman
Carl Lumbly	...	Bud Penniman
Tamala Jones	...	Lucille
Mel Jackson	...	Bump Blackwell
Garrett Morris	...	Carl Rainey
Anthony Lee
Lahmard J. Tate		(as Lahmard Tate)
Alimi Ballard
Anthony Griffith
JoNell Kennedy		(as Jonell Kennedy)
Michael Mantell	...	Art Rupe
Reynaldo Rey
William James Jones	...	Billy Wright
Warren G.	...	Studio Musician

Also Known As:

The Little Richard Story (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

120 min | Germany:86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Davis Entertainment

Quotes:

Little Richard: [after a band mate complains of wearing sissy make-up] Being pretty ain't never bothered me. Ain't that right, Lucille?
Lucille: 'Bout the prettiest boy I've ever seen.
Little Richard: Now, sneaking in the back doors so the white folks don't see us 'til we're on stage, eating in a parking lot of some restaurant that I wouldn't even pay to eat at the counter at, now *that* bothers me. Being called a sissy?
[pause]
Little Richard: You look-a here! Them white kids, they're dancing to *our* music! Okay, they may have Pat Boone on their record player in case their parents walk in, but they got *my* record underneath their pillow. You know which show we're playing here? You know how many colors have played here...

This Is Little Richard?

This portrayal of Richard Penniman as a skirt-chasing dandy is completely the opposite of what I've seen of Little Richard all these years. Also, having friends in show biz who worked with and knew him well, this is a movie about somebody else! The only "hints" we get of his homosexuality are the knowing glances between Richard and his young singing mentor, who told him he needed to record. Yes, his behavior ranges from "regular guy" to "somewhat effeminate," but the character is inconsistent.

Good lip-syncing by Leon and nice acting from Jenifer Lewis, as his supportive mother. Other performances were stereotypical, but the story does give us a clear picture of how black stars were cheated by low-down record shysters and literally robbed by white artists like Pat Boone, Georgia Gibbs and Gale Storm.