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Post by timmy84 on Jan 31, 2007 12:52:45 GMT -5
Smokey Robinson Offended by DreamgirlsFrom 1/26 Detroit Free Press: "In an interview that aired on Wednesday's NPR "Morning Edition", Motown singer, songwriter and executive Smokey Robinson called the fictional characters in the film "Dreamgirls" 'very, very, very offensive to me.' 'I am really kind of upset about it ("Dreamgirls") because there's a lot of false information in there, and millions of people are seeing it every day', Robinson said. Specifically addressing the fictional character supposedly inspired by Motown founder Berry Gordy, he noted 'Nobody was paying us. So he (Gordy) borrowed $800 from his family's fund and started Motown so that we could be paid. And for him to be maligned and made out like this very villainous character is very, very, very offensive to me.'Robinson believes the film's stars have tarnished their own history. 'Motown is Beyonce's heritage, Motown is Jamie Foxx's heritage, Motown is Eddie Murphy's heritage ... They're black people. They're young black people. America should be proud of Motown because Motown made a statement all over the world that America could be proud of.'" ---- Is Berry's lap dog serious? He think people don't know of Motown's impact? I think he's trying to cover up for Berry and in fact it said LOOSELY BASED! Loosely is the keyword. And to basically diss the movie's stars like that makes him seem like a cranky man. Ironically the one person you expect to be mad about the movie (Diane) is actually APPRECIATIVE of the film! Go figure!
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Post by antceleb12 on Jan 31, 2007 15:58:22 GMT -5
I know!!!! When I read that article, I was like, "Oh, no, don't be bitter." And its pretty ironic, like you said, how Diana Ross, the one everyone says the show criticizes, actually liked the film! On the other hand, Smokey is POed, even though there is no referrence to him in the show at all!! Seems like someone's bitter, because they are one of the only major Motown acts to not be impersonated in the film ... LOL
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Post by timmy84 on Jan 31, 2007 18:16:26 GMT -5
Exactly. Though they do base the character C.C. White on him though he could also be seen as a representative of Holland-Dozier-Holland though. But anyway, Smokey just wanna talk. I also find it odd that no one else associated with Motown has had bad words about the film, to those that have already seen it, that is.
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Post by antceleb12 on Jan 31, 2007 20:59:47 GMT -5
Yes ... that is interesting ... I think the fact that Smokey was practically brainwashed by Gordy is the major reason why he has little to no good to say about the film.
The snobby girl group at the beginning ... The Step Sisters(?) ... I thought was kind of a combo between the Marvelettes and the Vandellas. Sans the attitudes, both Motown groups and the fictional one had real talent. Eventually, the Vandellas and Marvelettes would be somewhat pushed to the side, so the Supremes could take a turn. The Step sisters were the ones who seemed to have class and the most talent, but would not get a chance to succeed with Curtis. In the Supremes case, the Vandellas and the Marvelettes seemed like they would bring Motown to the very tops (which they certainly helped), but the Supremes (like the Dreams), would turn out to be the top money-makers.
The whole movie has hidden similarities between the movie and Motown.
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Post by timmy84 on Jan 31, 2007 23:19:17 GMT -5
Yeah and you can definitely similarities in their story that is loosely based but is Motown related. Smokey should just keep his mouth closed. I don't think old man knows what comes out of his mouth half-way. Like you said, he was brainwashed by Berry and has been brainwashed ever since, he claims, that Berry discovered him when he was 17.
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Post by antceleb12 on Feb 1, 2007 15:03:34 GMT -5
Yeah and you can definitely similarities in their story that is loosely based but is Motown related. Smokey should just keep his mouth closed. I don't think old man knows what comes out of his mouth half-way. Like you said, he was brainwashed by Berry and has been brainwashed ever since, he claims, that Berry discovered him when he was 17. Indeed! I think at a very yound age, it is very easy for a young mind to be fooled into a trap set by someone like Gordy. That's why it was unusual for cases like Martha Reeves, or Florence Ballard to be above the influence, because they both were young when they entered Motown, as well, but they didn't keep quiet.
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 1, 2007 15:26:23 GMT -5
Flo and Martha were very sassy and street-oriented so yeah, they were hard to keep quiet.
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Post by antceleb12 on Feb 1, 2007 18:33:58 GMT -5
Martha left in 1972 and soon sued Motown ... did she win the case or loose it? What were the charges?
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 1, 2007 23:38:49 GMT -5
Martha sued for royalties, she won a case where she was able to get paid off her songs. I think this was in 1983.
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Post by antceleb12 on Feb 2, 2007 12:59:21 GMT -5
Well, lucky for her . I'm sure she was very lucky to have won against such a powerful company, and I mean LUCKY. She should count her blessings ...
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 2, 2007 15:21:40 GMT -5
She IS, why don't you think every time someone mentions Motown to her, she says only positive stuff nowadays?
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Post by antceleb12 on Feb 2, 2007 21:44:58 GMT -5
lol i know I just Felt like saying it ... she seems to be doing very well for herself these days. Being a successfull singer, winning over addictions, leaving and suing a huge music corp, and coming back into swing with political power and newideas for a future for the new generations. Go Martha!!
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 2, 2007 22:37:55 GMT -5
Martha Reeves is... and should be looked on an inspiration to all of us. Because she persevered.
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Post by antceleb12 on Feb 3, 2007 19:52:00 GMT -5
There was a special on PBS about Motown not too long ago, and I thought it was the most interesting thing. They had Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Claudette Robinson ... etc.
They had all these vintage performances, historical trivia, and ways to raise money. Now I think back on it, Martha contributed quite alot to it.
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 3, 2007 20:44:16 GMT -5
She sure did! Mary may have hosted but Martha played a big contribution to it.
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