If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

#1

If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:30pm

I'm not familiar with music producers of that time period, as I am a youngin'. But I'd love to know if he's actually loosely based off of a famous/semi-famous figure like the others are. And if he is, I'd really like to research him and find out more about him, this way I have a bigger appreciation for the show and now movie.

Thanks!
--Brandon

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 07:30 PM

#2

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:31pm

That would be Berry Gordy, Jr., the music producer mainly responsible for Motown, many would argue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Gordy

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 07:31 PM

#3

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:33pm

I concur.

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#4

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:35pm

"Berry, however, dropped out of high school in the eleventh grade to become a professional boxer in hopes of becoming rich quick..."
-Funny that they went to a boxing match in the movie in order to 'get rich fast'. I read someone's review of the movie, and they noted that they didn't like the boxing scene in 'Stepping to the Bad Side'. Now I guess we have a reason why it's there!

"The store was unsuccessful and Gordy sought work at the Lincoln-Mercury plant..."
-The writers followed this guy's life to a tee, didn't they?

#5

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:36pm

Jamie Foxx said that he was his inspiration.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#6

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:38pm

Really? That's interesting. I didn't pay much attention to the interviews Jamie did for the movie. He's gone too Hollywood glam for me, but that's another story...

#7

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:39pm

Jamie Foxx sucked ass.

#8

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:50pm

its definately based on berry gordy. he had a relationship with diana ross and made her the lead singer...very taboo at the time.

#9

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be James Brown, who is Curtis suppose to be?

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:51pm

SupposeD.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#10

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:52pm

We were all thinking that, but it really has nothing to do with this thread, kyle.

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One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...


It was awesome. - theaterkid1015

#11

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:55pm

Ok, it's my fault. Let's not turn this into a Jamie Foxx bashing thread.

I apologize for not doing my Supremes research, but I heard that Florence was the lead singer at one point, much like Effie. Is there a reason she was knocked off as the lead? Was she a big girl? I don't remember her being large in the pictures I've seen.

This topic might belong in the Off-Topic Board. I'm sorry if I made a mistake.

#12

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:57pm

As with the show, Ms. Ballard had a much stronger voiice than Diana. Diana just sounded more 'white' (bland).

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"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

#13

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 7:58pm

Yes, she was a bigger girl who had a better voice than Diana, I believe.

Edit: TheatreDiva got there first.

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One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...


It was awesome. - theaterkid1015

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 07:58 PM

#14

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:03pm

Hmmm...it sounds to me like I need to locate some of Ms. Ballard's music/vocals!

#15

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:06pm

I have a Supremes Anthology with a song called "Buttered Popcorn" on it, where Florence sings the lead.

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"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey

#16

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:10pm

Kringas, it's so funny you mention that! I just bought that song on iTunes about 5 minutes ago! Wikipedia noted that she sang the lead vocals on that song.

#17

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:14pm

It's not a great song by any means, but it's got a charm to it. And it's a nice chance to get to hear Ballard's voice.

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"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 08:14 PM

#18

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/10/07 at 8:22pm

I have the Supremes box set as well and it also includes a version of the Streisand standard "People" with Florence singing lead.

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"I'm only 17 and am running on 6 cups of coffee so, forgive me if things that I post seem spastic." ~ Elphaba 43

#19

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/11/07 at 8:39am

I gotta admit Deena is a heck of alot nicer person then Diana ever was. Diana basically screwed her way to the top and damned anybody be in her path.

#20

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:04am

While Florence's voice isn't as soulful as everyone made it out to be, I STRONGLY prefer hers over Diana's voice any day.

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#21

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:56am

Fact:

Berry Gordy and Diana Ross actually had a child together. Her name is Rhonda Ross Kendrick, an actress on the television show, "Girlfriends." Diana's other daughter (her half sister) Tracee stars on the show as well. Dreamgirls clearly pulled a lot from the reality of these actual lives.

#22

re: If Deena is suppose to be Diana Ross, and Jimmy Early is suppose to be

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:03pm

I always thought Jimmy Early was supposed to be chuck berry, not james brown. If im mistaken please correct me, but thats what i was always told.