James Thunder Early = Little Richard?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 12:04am

I was listening to Little Richard today and it pretty much slapped me in the face how much James Thunder Early (especially in the film version of DREAMGIRLS) resembles Little Richard, from the vocals to even the looks. I know the character is not "based" on a real person, but the resemblance is remarkable.

Just look at this picture of Little Richard:




And now Eddie Murphy in DREAMGIRLS:


 

Updated On: 7/26/21 at 12:04 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 12:08am

It's a combination of Little Richard and James Brown and the authors imaginations.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 12:13am

Oh, I know. I am just pointing out that I believe Condon played up more of the Little Richard side of Jimmy than that of James Brown. Remember on the bus scene where he tries to go up front to talk to Lorell, but is stopped by that woman? He is wearing a funky looking shirt and has a head scarf on. I just found this and made me go WOW to the resemblance yet again.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 12:13am

Per the creative team: James "Thunder" Early is basically a composite of: James Brown, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye to even Wilson Pickett.

The early look of Jimmy is definitely a take on Little Richard; the fainting on the floor is definitely a take on James Brown; it goes on quite a bit.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:07am

Of course, back in his SNL days, Eddi4e Murphy did impressions of James Brown ("Git in the HOT TUB!")and created the character of rock & roll excersise guru "Little Richard Simmons".

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:12am

Supposedly, Thunder Early is more "Wilson Pickett" than anybody else, but everyone agrees he's an amalgam of all those guys.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 12:24pm

Little Richard is a SCREAMING queen!

[Kringas]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 12:34pm

Perhaps that explains Billy Porter in the concert.

[JRybka]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 12:43pm

What is wrong with BILLY PORTER? I love him!

[Kringas]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 1:17pm

He was terrible as Thunder Early.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 2:01pm

I agree Kringas. Porter needs to lay off the ciggies and butch it up a bit!

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:00pm

Porter certainly did seem to be imitating Little Richard (trying to?) in the concert.

OMG, Jon, Celebrity Hot Tub! The memories!

Updated On: 1/2/07 at 03:00 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:12pm

I am assuming the nod to Marvin Gaye is during the scene where he is singing "Patience" with Anika Noni Rose in the recording studio. He is wearing the same type of multi-coloerd skull cap Mr. Gaye was known for wearing. I noticed it immediately.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:16pm

It's James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub. And here is, the Godfather of Soul. James Brown

And I break into a cold sweat!!!!!


What's the other part of the cold sweat line.

I think Eddie Murphy was great as Jimmy. I think this is a real revival for his career. I'm just worried that Norbit will kill his career again as much as I want to see that movie.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:19pm

Condon payed omage (visually) to almost every one of the performers Jimmy is said to have been inspired by through Eddie Murphy's various looks in the film.

In the beginning scenes, his look is most certainly Little Richard (from the debut concert through the hair scarf that another poster already mentioned.) Toward the middle of the movie, he looks more like James Brown, and at the end (when Jimmy and Lorrell are recording "Patience") he is wearing Marvin Gaye's treadmark beanie and denim jacket.

Updated On: 1/2/07 at 03:19 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:40pm

Murphy's career was hardly dead before this. While never a favorite of critics, audiences have continued to flock to his films in the past several years. While he's had his share of flops, even critically reviled titles like Daddy Day Care and the Dr. Doolittle movies still managed to gross well over $100 million at the box office and he still is one of the few stars in Hollywood who can routinely demand (and get) a $20 million salary. Dreamgirls will certainly help to up his profile and credibility, but even without it, he already had a half dozen films greenlighted for the next couple of years and his career was hardly in any danger.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:45pm

Don't forget Donkey in the Shrek movies!

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 4:07pm

Jon, I was thinking the same thing!