The story of the rise and fall of an African American vocal group.
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Title: The Five Heartbeats (1991)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
See more awards »
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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 | |
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John Canada Terrell | ... | Michael 'Flash' Turner |
|
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Chuck Patterson | ... | Jimmy Potter |
| Hawthorne James | ... | Big Red | |
| Roy Fegan | ... | Bird | |
| Troy Byer | ... | Baby Doll (as Troy Beyer) | |
|
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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:
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Written by Kipper Jones and Reggie Stewart
Lead Vocals by Kipper Jones
Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Eddie Griffin's first film. See more »Goofs
When Eddie and "Bobby" are escaping from the card game, "Bobby" bounces off a light blue Pontiac Firebird, but this scene is set in 1965, and the Firebird wasn't released until the 1967 model year. See more »Quotes
Sarge: Hold my cane. Step outside & I'll kick both of ya's ass like you stole something!See more »
Connections
Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Raven-Symoné/Robert Townsend/John McLaughlin (1991) See more »Soundtracks
Carry OnWritten by Kipper Jones and Reggie Stewart
Lead Vocals by Kipper Jones
Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.
See more »
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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
Opening Weekend USA:
$1,630,689, 31 March 1991Gross USA:
$8,750,400Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$8,750,400Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
To the guy who questioned the racism in the movie.... you need to do a little homework, cause that was all truth. Although the movie was a fictionalized account, the racist elements shown were very much true.
The idea that it couldn't have taken place in the "60's", of all possible timeframes, is absurd and quite ludicrous. All of the major black acts from the 60's were subject to racism where they were treated poorly when off stage. ALL used the service entrance, or kitchen, to enter the venue in which they played. I'm talking Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, the temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder.... you name 'em.
The practice of fronting songs recorded by blacks with white groups was commonplace in the 50's-60's. Unfortunately, many racist whites didn't want their music to have a black face on it.
Do your homework prior to debunking historical fact.
The movie is THE all time music themed rags-to-riches film ever made.