THE FIVE HEARTBEATS REUNION
Top photo Left to right: Leon Robinson, Hawthorne James
Tico Wells, Michael Wright, Harry Lennix, John Terrell, and Robert Townsend.
The Five Heartbeats is a 1991 musical drama film directed by Robert Townsend, who co-wrote the script with Keenen Ivory Wayans. Produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox, the film's main cast includes Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon Robinson, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells, Harold Nicholas, and Diahann Carroll.
The plot of the film (which is loosely based on the lives of several artists: The Dells, The Temptations, Four Tops, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Frankie Lymon, Sam Cooke and others) follows the three decade career of the rhythm and blues vocal group The Five Heartbeats. The film depicts the rise and fall of a Motown inspired soul act through the eyes of one of the Heartbeats, Donald "Duck" Matthews.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT
Keenan Ivory Wayans was Supposed to be JT
Its hard to imagine anyone else playing the role of Ladies Man, JT, made famous by Leon Robinson. Though he played the role to a tee, it wasnt meant for him initially.
Keenan Ivory Wayans, who wrote the script for the movie, along with Townsend, was supposed to play JT. Leon told Black Voices how he ended up getting the role.
I didnt know Robert before then. He saw me at the MTV awards with Madonna, and told me he saw me in her video Like a Virgin. I think Keenan Ivory Wayans was supposed to play the role in the film but he got In Living Color, and he couldnt do it. Before that happened, Robert wanted me to do the film.
Ducks Sister Almost Didnt Make the Cut
The scene where Duck sings with his little sister, as shes cleaning the room, is one of the most memorable in the film, but it was a last minute addition that almost didnt make the cut. The studio wasnt too keen on Townsend singing lyrics off of pieces of balled up paper lying around the room. However, Tressa Thomas voice was so unbelievable, it was worth keeping.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
1992 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
Most Performed Songs in a Motion Picture for the song "Nights Like This."
(Won)
1992 Image Awards (NAACP)
(Nominated)
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