Norman Whitfield

The Temptations (1998)

Actors: Smokey Robinson (actor), Jenifer Lewis (actress), Suzanne De Passe (producer), Obba Babatundé (actor), Tina Lifford (actress), Allan Arkush (director), Vanessa Bell Calloway (actress), John W. Iwanonkiw (actor), Leon (actor), Tony Amen (actor), David V. Picker (producer), Helen Robin (producer), Alan Rosenberg (actor), Mel Jackson (actor), Steve Parys (miscellaneous crew),

Plot: The true story of The Temptations, the Soul vocal group of the 1960s, as seen from the viewpoint of the last surviving member, Otis Williams. Beginning from their humble origins in the late 50s and continuing through the 90s and the deaths of the other 4 members.

Keywords: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, african-american, alcoholism, argument, band, based-on-book, based-on-true-story
Genres: Drama, Music,
Taglines: The unforgettable story of one of Motown's hottest acts. The story of a dream come true and the struggle to keep that dream alive. Their sound made them famous. Their struggle made them legends.

Quotes:

David Ruffin: I'm the one sellin' the records. They're comin' to see me.::Otis Williams: They're comin' to see the Temptations.::David Ruffin: Ain't nobody comin' to see you, Otis! You wish you could work it the way I do, but you can't! Because there is only one David Ruffin. And without him, the Temps ain't nothin' but a group in SEARCH of a David Ruffin. Matter of fact, I been thinkin'. We should call the group David Ruffin And The Temptations. Yeah, that sound good to me. Y'all beggin' me not to leave you. [sings] "And I refuse to let you go." Yeah, David Ruffin And The Temptations. Whatcha think?::Otis Williams: [stands up] That ain't never gonna happen.

Otis Williams: [after David has jumped up on stage with the Temptations] David, are you out of your damn mind? I will whoop your ass!

David Ruffin: [after reading a memo firing him from the group] Y'all are stupid! You can't fire me! I made your asses! Do you hear me? DO YOU HEAR ME? You can't do me like this! You ungrateful son of a bitches!

David Ruffin: I heard about Paul.::Eddie Kendricks: They got the doctors and everybody in on it.::David Ruffin: And you next.::Eddie Kendricks: Me?::David Ruffin: Yeah, you. I sang "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". Look what they did to me. Paul's gonna be gone and that's your boy. Shark's eatin' his own guts, Corn. And after you, ain't gonna be nothin' but O and Blue. And he gonna eat Blue, too, 'cause that's the way them types is. You better quit, save yourself some dignity.::Eddie Kendricks: You don't know what you're talking about, Ruff. We're supposed to be back in the studio. When Paul gets better, we got the tour.::David Ruffin: Yeah, the tour. Hey, Corn, you bigger than them, Corn. Just like I was bigger than them. You wait till your next hit, they gonna come after you. You better leave before you get fired.

David Ruffin: I'm back! I quit all that stuff, O.::Eddie Kendricks: I told you he was clean.::Otis Williams: I don't care!::David Ruffin: [takes off his glasses] Look, I'm straight, man. Can't you see I'm straight?::Eddie Kendricks: He's straight. Listen to him.::David Ruffin: I'm back in the group, O. Tell me I'm back in the group.::Otis Williams: You ain't in this group. Don't you get it? You blew it!::Eddie Kendricks: The crowd went wild when he jumped on stage.::Otis Williams: He's the one who blew it, Corn!::David Ruffin: Paul... Corn... Blue, baby, all I'm asking y'all is for another chance. Come on now!::Melvin Franklin: David, I'm sorry, but you got to go.::Otis Williams: Get out or get carried out.::David Ruffin: I ain't goin' nowhere! You said I was a Temp for life. How 'bout that promise, huh O?::Otis Williams: You ain't no Temptation no more!::[Otis tries to beat up David, but Melvin holds him back]

[last lines]::Otis Williams: Temptations... Forever

[Melvin is in the hospital after being shot by a carjacker who stole his car]::Melvin Franklin: He shot me, then he recognized me, and then he kicked my butt out of MY car.::Otis Williams: Was it Ruffin? [they both laugh]::Melvin Franklin: No, Ruffin would've killed me.

[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.::Eddie Kendricks: I'm responsible for Paul.::Shelly Berger: Oh, yeah? Then where were you when he was getting plastered?::Eddie Kendricks: I said it. I'm not going on without Paul

Otis Williams: Oh yeah, not the same but nominated for a Grammy!

David Ruffin: Y'all ain't the same without me.::Otis Williams: Oh, yeah? Not the same but nominated for a Grammy!::David Ruffin: That's mine!::Otis Williams: No, no, that ain't you on "Cloud Nine". That's Dennis' voice!