more attention given to my boo cornbread's death

[Weak4Weeks]

that is not the question you asked....You said MELVIN! And I completely understood the question, thank you very much. Even more than you expected me too really... I understand that you still think O had a conspiracy against David and you are using a thread about Eddie to bring O down once again. You don't give a damn about how Eddies death was portrayed, this is once again about your David-is-always-right-and-Otis-Williams-is-to-blame-for-everything-crusade. Please you ain't foolin' nobody!!!

[Weak4Weeks]

tabby said:

I haven't read the original newspaper article, I have to admit. But Otis' description of the event sounds completely different from what the movie shows. I do not want to have this thread go into a "David direction." Just to make sure you and I read the same book by Otis Williams here is the quote:

Now that is not the same as dumping someone out of a car somewhere in the streets of Philadelphia as I remember the movie was showing. So, it was at least not the same in the movie as in O's book. What are you trying to say?

tabby said:

Yeah ((Beej)), that is quite true. On the other hand, there are not many of us who don't know what a funeral is like. Yet we got to enjoy two of them in the same movie. Also, we got to witness the heart wrenching scene when O finds out his mother has cancer. (I am pretty, pretty sure a little more of the frequently cited dramatic license could have squeezed some laudatory remarks about big O out of Eddie's mouth, too. Too, bad they let that chance pass by

tabby said:

I was saying that Otis did manage to get the movie altered in that he was spared the actual depiction of Melvin's death. He said that in his own book. So, he did have "some say-so," after all. I never claimed that he wrote the script or did anything else more important.

I have to go back and see,but I have mentioned Otis once or twice -- and look what people make of such a statement. It's not only amazing, but also highly amusing! As if Otis needs the whole Temptsinfoboard to rush to his rescue; he can stand on his own two (left) feet, I hope.

YOU even admitted that you said something about Otis.

Here are the rest of the things you didn't say about Otis...

[Elbridge]

tabby said:

elbridge said:

((Ed)), I was hoping that at least you were reading and understanding my post.
I was saying that Otis did manage to get the movie altered in that he was spared the actual depiction of Melvin's death. He said that in his own book. So, he did have "some say-so," after all. I never claimed that he wrote the script or did anything else more important.

I have to go back and see, but I have mentioned Otis once or twice -- and look what people make of such a statement. It's not only amazing, but also highly amusing! As if Otis needs the whole Temptsinfoboard to rush to his rescue; he can stand on his own two (left) feet, I hope.

I do understand you. Of course, it's true that Otis got his wish where that scene was concerned but the producer or director was probably thinking of another factor when they decided to simplify the whole thing. In actuality, a series of events lead to the death of Melvin, not just one. If they'd have shot it the way it happened, they would have had to shot a recording scene where Melvin's ankle bleeds and they would have had to add an additional scene from the hospital with Melvin in a coma. It's much easier, less costly and more to the point if they can condense those scenes into one simpler one. It's less to shoot and it takes less time while still getting the point across. I wasn't there but those are the things moviemakers care about - not the wishes of a powerless group member.

If I were you, I'd have left out the whole "two left feet" thing. We were doing well before you went there...LOL! Now you've gone and gotten yourself into trouble.

Ed

[davidruffinlover]

I have an idea. No offense what so ever to mrskendricks whom started this thread, cause it was a great thread =) But anyone for having it erased as it seems to have been twisted off topic a bit & is causing...."Issues". ?!

[Weak4Weeks]

no because thos issues will just follow us into another thread...you havent' been here long huh? this is how it goes until one person gets fed up and refuses to post anymore...it ain't gonna be me though...

[davidruffinlover]

Oh, my goodness! I see we got some stubborn ppl here, including myself. Boy, this is gonna be interesting. And I've only been here since late May so no, I haven't been here all too long. And I ain't gonna be the one to quit posting either; let the good times roll ya'll

[lightdion]

Let me put in my two cent$
1- Personally, "The Temptations Movie" is one of the greatest, controversal movies of all times.

2- The casting was superb, despite the fact that the actors were not very known, they did a helluva job playing the Tempts. to the best of thier "knowledge" and of course ability (Not to mention, they were great eye- candy )

3- Yes, I and others have come to learn that this movie has some misleading information and did not depict the The Tempts. in the way that they should have (Or deserved) been depicted. But like someone said, "The Temptations" is a movie, which estranged plot looks like has drawn a myriad of people to seek more information about the real Temptations legacy and life stories.

4- Yes, it is probably true that Otis had little to do with the movie script and that was the cause for some of the misleading information.

5- If we did not care for the movie or the Temptations, do you think that we would be spending time debating on it like we have, even if we have to bring up past things to make a statement/ point ?

[davidruffinlover]

lightdion said:

Let me put in my two cent$
1- Personally, "The Temptations Movie" is one of the greatest, controversal movies of all times.

2- The casting was superb, despite the fact that the actors were not very known, they did a helluva job playing the Tempts. to the best of thier "knowledge" and of course ability (Not to mention, they were great eye- candy )

3- Yes, I and others have come to learn that this movie has some misleading information and did not depict the The Tempts. in the way that they should have (Or deserved) been depicted. But like someone said, "The Temptations" is a movie, which estranged plot looks like has drawn a myriad of people to seek more information about the real Temptations legacy and life stories.

4- Yes, it is probably true that Otis had little to do with the movie script and that was the cause for some of the misleading information.

5- If we did not care for the movie or the Temptations, do you think that we would be spending time debating on it like we have, even if we have to bring up past things to make a statement/ point ?

Brilliant post, right on!! =)

[Aba21]

tabby said:

aba21 said:

Did you read what Kalisa wrote? She said Eddie and Otis had been enstranged for years. Whatever information he had he got from hearsay or in the paper like everybody else. So what was he to do? Eddie was a very private man, unlike David who wore his feelings on his sleeves. You would have to ask the scriptwriter what he thought about that. Have you seen any footage of Eddie's funeral? Do You know if Otis even attended? It was not the media circus that David's funeral was, that's for sure. David's death recieved much more media attention tha Eddie because of his checkered past.

According to Otis himself he, "... kept tabs on [Eddie] through friends.... That fall he entered the hospital for the last time.
When I heard the news, I phoned Eddie's home and spoke with his father, who gave me Eddie's number. ...
'I love you, Eddie,' I said.
'I love you,' he replied, his voice weak. ...
Nevertheless, you are being evasive in introducing these irrelevant points into the discussion; the have nothing to do with the way Eddie's death was protrayed in the movie.

That scene in the book would have made a good short scene in the movie -- just a suggestion, though.

Also, if I am to believe Otis himself, "Melvin, Ollie, Richard, Ron, Dennis, Shelly, and [he] traveled to Alabama to say [their] last good-byes. The funeral was held in a Baptist church in Ensley, Alabama, and the spirit there was simply joyous ..."
And what does that all have to do with my question? I have the feeling someone is trying to be provocative here?

All I was asking was whether you think that Eddie's death was handled with the same care as the others' in the movie. I haven't even mentioned the name Otis ... and I haven't gotten a straight answer yet.

The fact is............you did mention Otis as a sidebar in a couple of your posts. That's the problem I have with this. I don't mind answering the other questions but you make it hard to want to when as part of your statement you have to find sometrhing negative to say about Otis. Why do you think these people are saying things to you? Do you think they(We) are picking on you wrongly? All I'm saying is one thing has nothing to do with the other. Ask your questions, make your comments and leave the sarcasm out concerning Otis out of it. It makes for a much better discussion and relives us of the pages and pages of diatrabe as to who said what and why. I'm not trying to start trouble but if I see that Otis or any other TEmptation is being disrespected for no reason. I will respond. If you can comment...so can others. That's all I'm saying. If you eliminate that part then you won't feel like you're being attacked all the time. You much more articulate than that to do that and that's why I take such exception to it cause I know you know exactly what are doing.

[Aba21]

elbridge said:

tabby said:

elbridge said:

((Ed)), I was hoping that at least you were reading and understanding my post.
I was saying that Otis did manage to get the movie altered in that he was spared the actual depiction of Melvin's death. He said that in his own book. So, he did have "some say-so," after all. I never claimed that he wrote the script or did anything else more important.

I have to go back and see, but I have mentioned Otis once or twice -- and look what people make of such a statement. It's not only amazing, but also highly amusing! As if Otis needs the whole Temptsinfoboard to rush to his rescue; he can stand on his own two (left) feet, I hope.

I do understand you. Of course, it's true that Otis got his wish where that scene was concerned but the producer or director was probably thinking of another factor when they decided to simplify the whole thing. In actuality, a series of events lead to the death of Melvin, not just one. If they'd have shot it the way it happened, they would have had to shot a recording scene where Melvin's ankle bleeds and they would have had to add an additional scene from the hospital with Melvin in a coma. It's much easier, less costly and more to the point if they can condense those scenes into one simpler one. It's less to shoot and it takes less time while still getting the point across. I wasn't there but those are the things moviemakers care about - not the wishes of a powerless group member.

If I were you, I'd have left out the whole "two left feet" thing. We were doing well before you went there...LOL! Now you've gone and gotten yourself into trouble.

Ed

Thank you Ed. That's what I said about how the movie was done. Anna is trying to make it a drama and it was not intended to be a drama. As I said about the Melvin carjacking scene......they put all his addictions and vices in one scene. That what they do with the liberties they take with scripts. Basically, she is trying to re-write a script she didn't like. Its a time constraint thing.

[Aba21]

davidruffinlover said:

I have an idea. No offense what so ever to mrskendricks whom started this thread, cause it was a great thread =) But anyone for having it erased as it seems to have been twisted off topic a bit & is causing...."Issues". ?!

Not gonna happen my friend. Unless Ivory wants to put a cork in it. ;D This has been going on for a couple of years now. Many people have quit here over this very subject. As more people who like Otis Williams join this board and see some of the comments directed at him, they respond. This didn't just happen today....its been going on for a while now....quite a while and some people are just getting tired of it. Some have been tired of it for a long time. I'm one of them. I hold Otis in no more high regard than any other member of the group. But he is a member of the group and has been since the beginning? Doesn't that count for something? You can talk about members of the group with out making others in the group look bad. What's the point? Why are you blaming Otis for what happened to any other member in the group? You are giving him way too much power. Hell most people think he didn't belong in the group and then turn right around and say he kicked this one and that one out. Otis didn't assume control over the group until they left Motown for the first time. Anything that happened prior to that went through Berry Gordy..........period. But to hear some around here....they feel like Otis got rid of Paul, Eddie, David ,Dennis and everybody else. Before 1975...........that would be kind of hard to do for him. If he even suggested that someone go........he still needed Berry's approval.

Let's make this real simple: Paul got sick and couldn't perform. Eddie quit!!! Let me say this again........EDDIE QUIT!!!! David got himself fired for missing rehersals, shows and drugs....and Dennis got himself fired for the same reasons and he also quit once. That's what happened. The stories may differ depending on who is telling them but basically that's what happened. So no, this ain't going away until a small segment of our population around here gets over that fact and moves on with their lives. Those men have nothing to be ashamed of.....they were great entertainers. We have no right to judge how they lived....or died....nor do we have the right to cast blame on anyone in the situation...since none of us was there..........how many times does this have to be said for it sinks in? It ridiculous that smart intelligent poeple can't see those facts.

So that lends me to believe that some thrive on the negativity. Because no matter how many times you ask them to stop.............they find a way to sneak it in.

[tabby]

Looks like we are having big fun here! Yeeeepppppeeee!

[tabby]

Really! Could we cut the fluff now. This thread is about Eddie.

[Aba21]

tabby said:

Really! Could we cut the fluff now. This thread is about Eddie.

This thread is about whatever's written in it at the moment!!! I don't know if you're referring to my comments as "fluff" but I wouldn't go there if I was you. I haven't dismissed your comments.....I responded to them. Don't dismiss mine. Now if we want to go back to the subject at hand...that's fine with me. Let's continuuuuuuuuuue!!!!!!!!

[tabby]

aba21 said:

tabby said:

Really! Could we cut the fluff now. This thread is about Eddie.

This thread is about whatever's written in it at the moment!!! I don't know if you're referring to my comments as "fluff" but I wouldn't go there if I was you. I haven't dismissed your comments.....I responded to them. Don't dismiss mine. Now if we want to go back to the subject at hand...that's fine with me. Let's continuuuuuuuuuue!!!!!!!!

I am scared! Help!

So, I still think that Eddie's death was not really handled well in the movie.

Anyone else? ;D