From giggling with an Oscar-winning legend to swiping a jacket from set, Dennis Quaid lets us in on some unforgettable stories.
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Title: The Five Heartbeats (1991)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Robert Townsend | ... | Duck | |
| Michael Wright | ... | Eddie | |
| Leon | ... | J.T. | |
| Harry Lennix | ... | Dresser | |
 |
Tico Wells | ... | Choirboy |
| Diahann Carroll | ... | Eleanor Potter | |
| Harold Nicholas | ... | Sarge | |
| Tressa Thomas | ... | Duck's Baby Sister | |
|
|
John Canada Terrell | ... | Michael 'Flash' Turner |
|
|
Chuck Patterson | ... | Jimmy Potter |
| Hawthorne James | ... | Big Red | |
| Roy Fegan | ... | Bird | |
| Troy Byer | ... | Baby Doll (as Troy Beyer) | |
|
|
Carla Brothers | ... | Tanya Sawyer |
| Deborah Lacey | ... | Rose | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
In the early 1960's, a quintet of hopeful young African American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improve, turn pro, and rise to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry with it's casual racism and greed while the personal weaknesses of the members threaten to destroy the integrity of the band. Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>
Plot Keywords:
african american | rise and fall | 1960s | infidelity | unfaithfulness |Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 March 1991 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Los Heartbeats See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$8,750,400Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby SRColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Rance Allen, Thomas Allen & Steven Allen
Produced by Howard Johnson & Jerry Peters
Performed by Eddie King Jr. & Babydoll
Lead Vocals by Billy Valentine & Jackie Simley
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Eddie Griffin's first film. See more »Goofs
During the talent show concert Eddie's tie magically moves up and down when he goes from on the stage to jumping off the stage. It moves again as he begins to ask "Is there a heart in the house tonight?" See more »Soundtracks
I Feel Like Going OnWritten by Rance Allen, Thomas Allen & Steven Allen
Produced by Howard Johnson & Jerry Peters
Performed by Eddie King Jr. & Babydoll
Lead Vocals by Billy Valentine & Jackie Simley
See more »
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On almost all the comments everyone assumes this film is based on The Temptations. Which is a fair assumption given The Temps' lead singer David Ruffin had a serious drug problem,as did the 'Hearts in this film.
This film is actually based on a group named The Dells. The Dells started recording in 1953 (as The El-Rays, and changed to the Dells in '55). They have atleast 3to4 dozen R&B hits in every decade from the 1950s to the 90s. Everything in the Film except for the lead singer being a drug addict is based on their experiences. As with most Hollywood films somethings were embelished for Dramatic effect. The Dells also sang just about every song the soundtrack. The theme song "A Heart Is A House For Love" was a #13 R&B in 1991. Happy to say the Dells are still performing and recording together after 51 years, with no personell changes since 1957. The Dells served as Technical advisors on the film, and at the end of the credits they show a picture of them and the Film is dedicated to them.