Original subtitles

‐ Hey! ‐ Hey.

We just got back from the Thompsons' garage sale

and boy, did we hit the jackpot.

Say the Thompsons hit the jackpot

when they saw you two suckers.

Obviously, you're not a garage sale connoisseur.

My baby is playin' a genuine faux leopard ensemble.

And in my hand is a virtual cornucopia of 60's classics.

Oh, dear, dear, dear, if only there was someone

in the brownstone who still had a record player.

Oh, snap! Look what I found.

[laughs]

Hey, hey, hey, be careful with that now.

That is an exquisitely preserved Barbie collectible.

Made even more special by the fact that

little artistic Ne‐ne painted Barbie black.

With that blonde hair, she's a dead ringer

for Mary J. Blige.

Oh, let's see what we've got here.

Oh, oh, "Martha and the Vandellas"

and, "Up the Charelles" and..

My personal favorite, "Shonda and the Shoopettes"

who immortalized that famous phrase.

"Doo‐wop shoop‐shoop‐shoop shoop shoop‐doo‐wop shoop‐shoop."

I don't know how you can get so worked up about music

that was played out before we were born.

Oh, shoot, girl, all those beautiful girl‐groups

in the 60's with their big hair and their big..

Ooh, mama, look, it's "The Supremes."

♪ We are living ♪ ♪ Hey ♪

♪ Single ♪

♪ Ooh in a 90's kinda world ♪

♪ I'm glad I got my girls ♪

♪ Keep ya head up ♪ ♪ What ♪

♪ Keep ya head up ♪ ♪ That's right ♪

♪ Whenever this life get tough you gotta fight with ♪

♪ My home girl standin' to my left and my right ♪

♪ True blue we tight like glue ♪

♪ We are living ♪ ♪ Check check check it out ♪

♪ Check check check it out ♪ ♪ Single ♪

♪ Aaah ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ Callin' out ♪

♪ Around the world ♪

♪ Are you ready for a brand new beat ♪

♪ Summer's here and the time is right ♪

♪ For dancing in the street ♪

♪ They're dancing in Chicago ♪ ♪ In the street ♪

♪ Down in New Orleans ♪ ♪ In the street ♪

♪ In New York City ♪

♪ All we need is music.. ♪

‐ Hey! ‐ Hey, hey!

Listen, I'm tired, and I have a lot of work to do.

So I'mma ask you nicely.

Get on the soul train and choo‐choo

your asses out of here.

Now, let's see. There's two, four, five of us and one of you.

Hmm, shall we vote or save her some embarrassment?

I say we embarrass her.

‐ Embarrass her. ‐ Hmm, here we go.

Alright, fine. Bump y'all. I'm out.

This may have been a mistake.

Boss lady, I hope you haven't locked yourself out.

Regine made me give back the key I copied.

Well, I'm too tired to put up with you.

But Regine and the cast of "Fame" are inside dancing.

Wait now, man. The pendulous princess wiggling and jiggling?

Oh, dance, my soft, little Gypsy. Dance.

Sometimes I really wish I lived alone.

Stupid.

(Rupert) 'Five, six, seven, eight.'

♪ If you want him to be ♪ ♪ What do you want him to be ♪

♪ The very heart of you ♪

♪ Make you want to breathe ♪

♪ Here's the thing to do ♪ ♪ Tell him tell him ♪

♪ Tell him that you're never gonna leave him ♪

♪ Tell him that you're.. ♪

No, no, no!

No, no, no, no, no!

♪ Tell him tell him ♪

♪ Tell him tell him right now ♪

[grunting]

Five, six, seven, eight!

♪ Tell him that you're never gonna leave him ♪

♪ Tell him that you're always gonna love him ♪

♪ Ooh tell him now ooh ♪

Uh, Flo?

Just sing it straight, honey. Okay?

This ain't jazz.

Sorry, Maxie, I just get so carried away.

(Maxie) 'Yeah, I guessed.'

[laughs] You know, I think we all need to be reminded..

Just who started this group, "The Flavorettes."

Me!

'Now, when I found you, you were nothing.'

And you would be nothing without me.

Nothing.

Nothing, nothing.

That's what a black man in America has, nothing.

Well, we would have something if you'd start singin'

and stopped hanging out with those black leopards.

Black Panthers. Black Panthers, man!

Hey, hey, hey, peace and love, girls, peace and love!

Now, all your bickering is upsettin'

my sweet wheezing Rupert.

Well, maybe, sweet wheezing Rupert

can stop suckin' on that inhaler.

Maybe he can manage to tell us if he booked us a gig.

Well, uh, uh, my‐my cousin Marietta said we could play

at her big bridge party in Chitalling‐Chow.

God, what kind of jerk manager are you?

Oh, oh, God.

Guys, you know the offer still stands for us to go and play

for my steady down at the Highline Club.

Okay, I'm against that for three reason.

Number one, it wasn't my idea.

Number two, it's not a big enough house.

Number three, it was your idea.

Well, I think that we should take the job.

I mean, I sure could use the money.

Embutu, the little African boy that I sponsor

he lost his goat in the last heavy rain.

Look, man, dig this.

Now, we need to go shake our groove thing

down at the Highline Club

so we can be seen.

Come on, who's in?

'Who's in?'

Oh, right, right, I'm in, I'm in! I'm in! I'm in!

We'll change the lyrics though. Think about this.

Tell him that our children are starving.

Tell him that the time of oppression is over.

Tell him! Tell him! Tell him! Tell him we need jobs, man!

We need jobs, man!

Sorry, brother. I'm sorry, brother.

Alright, I'm with it. We play at the club.

Yeah, man.

But no more lyrics from Cynthia X.

Girl, you need to get with that high comb.

‐ Keepin' it natural, man. ‐ No!

‐ Keepin' it natural. ‐ No!

Why, sister, why?

Why? Think about it! Why?

[audience cheering]

Come on, stop it, now. Stop it.

I'm spoken for.

That's right, and I speak loudly.

Get your own damn man.

Hey, groovy people, welcome to the Highline.

Sunny Clifton.

[laughs]

If I'd known you were so pretty

we'd have taken you up on that invitation a lot sooner.

Who is that sugar daddy?

The man who put "Shonda and Shoopettes" on the map.

And Shonda's husband on the curb.

That's right, kid, it's me. OW Jones.

This could be the luckiest night of your life.

And you won't be disappointed, Mr. Jones.

Thanks for coming out to hear me.

Yeah, you can, uh, thank me by putting my butt in a seat

a drink in my hand and another girl on my arm for balance.

‐ Oh, here you go. ‐ Oh, okay.

Yeah, this will do.

[funk music]

[applause]

Oh, sing, Sunny!

Sing until my husband starts to look good to me again.

Huh! Hey, hey, hey. Thanks for loving me, baby.

But before I shake, rattle and roll

I want to introduce you to a hot new girl group.

Let's give a warm Highline welcome to "The Flavorettes."

[crowd booing]

Hey, hey, hey, hey, be nice.

Or we'll stop giving away those free Soul Power Afro picks.

[funk music]

♪ I know something about love ♪

♪ You've got to want it bad ♪

♪ And if that guy's got into your blood ♪

♪ Go out and get him ♪ ♪ To do‐do ♪

♪ If you want him to be ♪ ♪ To do‐do to do‐do ♪

♪ The very part of you ♪ ♪ To do‐do ♪

♪ That makes you want to breath ♪

♪ Here's a thing to do ♪ ♪ To do‐do to do‐do ♪

♪ Tell him that you're never gonna leave him ♪

♪ Tell him that you're always gonna love him ♪

♪ Tell him tell him tell him tell him right now ♪

[screaming]

♪ To do‐do to do‐do To do‐do to do‐do ♪

♪ To do‐do to do‐do ♪

♪ I know something about love ♪

♪ You gotta take him and show him ♪

♪ What the world is made of ♪

♪ One kiss will prove it ♪

♪ If you want him to be ♪ ♪ To do‐do to do‐do ♪

♪ Always by your side ♪ ♪ To do‐do to do‐do ♪

♪ Take his hand tonight ♪ ♪ To do‐do ♪

♪ Swallow your foolish pride ♪ ♪ To do‐do ♪

♪ Tell him that you're never gonna leave him ♪

♪ Tell him that you're always gonna love him ♪

♪ Come on and tell him ♪

♪ Tell him tell him tell him tell him right now ♪

♪ Oh yeah‐h‐h‐h ♪

[chuckles]

♪ Yeah‐h‐h‐h ♪

Ladies and gentlemen, "The Flavorettes."

[applause]

"The Flavorettes," ladies and gentlemen.

What in bell‐bottom hell do you think you are doing?

I was trying to entertain these people

till you got back from your trip.

[groans]

Uh, uh, excuse me.

Call me crazy

but I think I'm looking at the next "Shoopettes."

[all gasp]

Hey, man.

What makes you think we want to be "Shoopettes?"

"Shoop, shoop," is the sound that the broom makes

when it's sweeping the black man under the carpet, man.

‐ Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. ‐ Shoop! Shoop!

‐ Be quiet! ‐ Shoo..

He thinks we're out of sight.

Yeah, right. Okay.

And I could make all y'all superstars

'cause when O‐Dubbs says it, oh, it happens.

[gasping]

[screaming]

'And, oh, one other thing.'

Look here, baby.

‐ You sing lead. ‐ Oh.

'Cause you've got the moves and the grooves.

[groaning]

[screaming]

[clamoring]

[funk music]

♪ Does he love me ♪

♪ I want to know ♪

♪ How can I tell if he loves me so ♪

♪ Is it in his eyes ♪

♪ Oh no you'll be deceived ♪

♪ Is it in his eyes ♪

♪ Oh no he'll make believe ♪

♪ If you want to know ♪ ♪ Shoo‐shoo‐shoo ♪

♪ If he loves you so ♪ ♪ Shoo‐shoo‐shoo ♪

♪ It's in his kiss ♪ ♪ That's where it is ♪

♪ Oh yeah ♪

Look here, look here.

Baby, baby, baby.

Come on, we need to see those beautiful eyes.

I tell you, um, you're my favorite Flavorette.

Let me tell you one damn thing, man.

Even if my vision wasn't blurry

you'd still wouldn't be my type.

You hear me?

Baby, look here.

I'm rich. I'm every woman's type.

‐ Give me my glasses. ‐ Now, look here.

This is what y'all need to do. Let's get back to work.

'Cause it's not the way you sing

it's the way y'all work it.

Now, let's do this!

Oh, and is this how we're working it?

With Flo heading us up?

Back‐up is meant for people like that

tone deaf Aretha chick upstairs.

[chuckles]

‐ Dig the new look. ‐ Oh!

[laughs]

Wigs?

You, you expect me to wear fake hair?

Well, I'm sorry, mister

but you're not turning me into some... diva.

[telephone ringing]

Come on now, Gina.

I mean, listen.

‐ We're always gonna be friends. ‐ Oh!

Look, OW is just trying to make us rich

famous, glamourous friends.

Dig?

Well, well, well.

You ladies have been with me all of what, a day?

And already I got a gig for "The Flavorettes" at the Apollo.

[gasping]

The Apollo? You're jiving me!

If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'.

Bright lights, big city.

Here come Flo.

And everybody else.

Gather around, ladies, and take a look at history in the making.

"Live at the Apollo.

Flo and The Flavorettes?"

[gasps] How?

You changed the name of our group behind our backs?

[chuckles]

Hey, it's what's best for me, right?

And what's best for me is what's best for the group.

There you go.

I quit!

I never wanted the‐the money, or the fame

or the‐the fancy dresses

and the‐the‐the hair.

I just wanna be with Rupert.

Hush puppy, are you sure?

I wanna marry you and‐and put some beans in this oven.

Yeah, I'm out, too.

It's hard to change the world while you're doing a shimmy.

Sunny!

Hey, you brought me flowers.

Oh, I knew you wouldn't let me down.

These aren't for you, Run‐Around Sue.

‐ Well.. ‐ Oh!

Seemed like a fair trade, Flo.

You get to sing lead, I get your main squeeze.

[cackling]

‐ Hey, hey, hey, hey.. ‐ Argh!

Oh, oh, oh, oh..

Ho‐ho‐hold it, ladies, there, ladies, ladies, ladies!

As much as I love a good chick fight

and I do love chick fights..

The dresses and wigs, I ain't paid for yet. Okay?

Two minutes, ladies, two minutes.

Well, my sisters, I say we go.

I may be militant, but my mama's out there.

Alright, I'll do it.

But you'll see me in hell

before I share a stage with her again.

Sharing a stage with you?

Sharing a stage with you is hell!

I lost my friends.

My man.

I mean, is this the price of fame?

Oh, yeah.

Look here, baby. Don't worry about it.

You've got it.

Yeah.

Who the hell needs 'em?

[chuckles]

She's turned into a ruthless, spotlight hoggin' bitch.

My work here is done.

[jazz music]

♪ Oh... ♪

♪ Yeah babe ♪

♪ You are my heat ♪

♪ You are my fire ♪

♪ Made me weak with strong desire ♪

♪ To love you child my whole life long ♪

♪ Be it right or be it wrong ♪

♪ I just want to satisfy you ♪

♪ Though you're not mine I can't deny you ♪

♪ Don't you hear me talking baby ♪

♪ Love me now or I'll go ♪

♪ You're the heat ♪

♪ You are the fire ♪ ♪ Crazy ♪

♪ You're not mine I can't deny ya ♪

♪ Don't you hear me talking baby ♪

♪ Love me now ♪ ♪ And I love you ♪

♪ Or I'll go crazy ♪

♪ Ooh yeah‐h‐h ♪

♪ Oh‐oh.. ♪

[applause]

How's it like, y'all?

I've warmed them up for ya out there now.

‐ Thank you. ‐ Okay, bye‐bye.

‐ Great. ‐ Yeah.

That sister's workin' it real hard

but she ain't never gonna make it.

‐ Never. Come on, let's go. ‐ Alright, let's go.

‐ Come on. ‐ Hey, our turn. Alright!

‐ Alright, do it. ‐ Alright, Apollo.

Give it up.

For their debut at the Apollo Theatre

let's hear it for "Flo and the Flavorettes."

[audience cheering]

[upbeat music]

♪ Come with me ♪

♪ And we shall run across the sky ♪

♪ And illuminate the night ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ I ♪

♪ Will try to guide you ♪

♪ To better times ♪

♪ And brighter days ♪

♪ Don't be afraid to go ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪

♪ Where we can see ♪

♪ Heaven much better ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪

♪ Where we can be closer to heaven ♪

♪ We're going up the ♪ ♪ Up the ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ♪

♪ Up the ♪ ♪ Up the ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ♪ ♪ We're gonna walk ♪

♪ Walk ♪ ♪ We're gonna talk ♪

♪ Talk ♪ ♪ We're gonna sing ♪

♪ About love and understandin' ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪

♪ Hey we're going up the ♪ ♪ Up the ♪

♪ Ooh ooh up the ♪ ♪ Up the ♪

♪ Come on come on and walk ♪ ♪ Walk ♪

♪ Come on and talk ♪ ♪ Talk ♪

♪ Come on and sing about love and understandin' ooh ooh ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪ ♪ Aah ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ♪

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪

[applause]

Oh, that was wild.

Wow.

♪ Oh oh oh I ♪

Alright, y'all, listen now.

I got one question.

Am I still invited to the party?

Let's see what you got.

Whoo.

Sli‐I‐ide.

You know what I'm sayin'?

‐ Alright, good enough? ‐ Hmm.

Good audition, now step to the back of the line.

♪ Up the ladder to the roof ♪

♪ Where we can see heaven much better.. ♪

One, two, three.

[all scream]

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ You are my head you are my fire ♪

♪ You make me weak with warm desire ♪

♪ To love you child my whole life long ♪

♪ Be it right or it be ♪ ♪ Whoo ♪

♪ I just want to satisfy you ♪

Woo‐hoo!

[giggling]