Sparkle (1976) - full transcript

- 'Well, come on now, choir.'
- 'Sing, children.'

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Take My Hand ♪

♪ Lead me on ♪

♪ Let me stand ♪

♪ I am tired ♪

♪ I am weak ♪

♪ I am worn ♪

♪ Through the storm ♪

♪ Through the night ♪

♪ Lead me on ♪



♪ To the light ♪

♪ Take My Hand ♪

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Lead me home ♪

♪ When my way ♪

♪ Grows drear ♪

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Linger near ♪

♪ When my life ♪

♪ Is almost gone ♪

♪ Hear my cry ♪

♪ Hear my call ♪

♪ Hold my hand ♪

♪ Lest I fall ♪



♪ Take My Hand ♪

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Lead me home ♪

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Take My Hand ♪

♪ Lead me on ♪

♪ Let me stand ♪

♪ I am tired ♪

♪ I am weak ♪

♪ I am worn ♪

♪ Through the storm ♪

♪ Through the night ♪

♪ Lead me on ♪

♪ To the light ♪

♪ Take My Hand ♪

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Lead me home ♪

♪ When my way ♪

♪ Grows drear ♪

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Linger near ♪

♪ When my life ♪

♪ Is almost gone ♪

♪ Hear my cry ♪

♪ Hear my call ♪

♪ Hold my hand ♪

♪ Lest I fall ♪

♪ Take My Hand ♪

♪ Precious Lord ♪

♪ Lead me home ♪

What's that?

Just a tune, I'm working on.

'Come on, girls.
It's almost dark.'

I don't want you
hanging around those steps.

Come upstairs
to your own house.

Momma, it ain't even dark yet.

Just get on up here
and don't sass me, miss.

- See you later, Stix.
- Goodnight.

Later, little girl.

You make me sick.

Honestly, I can't see
why those girls

spend so much time out
there in the street.

Only a good friend can say what
I'm about to say to you, Effie.

And you can say
right back to me

"It ain't none of
your business, Miss Waters."

But I think you better keep your
eye on that oldest gal of yours

'cause she's busting
at the seams.

- Sister?
- Hm-mm.

Oh, she's just high-spirited.
Always has been.

She takes after her father.

Well, Sister, how pretty
you look tonight.

- Are you here again?
- Mind your manners, young lady.

- Hi, Miss Waters.
- Sparkle, take off that dress.

Delores, have you done
your homework?

- Almost.
- "Almost" ain't done.

- How about yours, Sister?
- 'Oh, I'm finished.'

Aww, let me see it.

- Let you see it, huh?
- 'Uh-huh.'

Alright.

Oh, mom, you don't have
to iron our clothes.

We're old enough
to iron for ourselves.

You iron enough at your work.
You ain't our maid.

'Well, I enjoy ironing clothes
for those I love.'

Suppose, you love them crackers
you work for on Long Island too.

You better hush your mouth.

Go get your homework
before I give you

this iron in a place
you won't forget.

Yes, ma'am.

Honestly, uh..

...I don't know who teaches
her such things.

You know it ain't right,
her talking to you like that.

All you've done for those girls.

Hi, Sparkle.

Let me help you.

You play real fine, Stix.

Just working out some new ideas
for when we start the group.

You sure smell good.

I used some of
Sister's cologne.

You look real pretty too.

Sister fixed my hair
this morning.

How come you're always
talking about your sister?

'Cause she's so fine.

I love her so much.

I wanna be
just like her.

Uh-hm. What about you?

What about me, what?

How old are you?

Fifteen.

You sure are
pretty for a girl.

Oh, I gotta go.

Uh..

You ever been kissed?

- Don't.
- Why?

It's a sin.

Well, does it
feel like a sin?

Feels so good,
it must be a sin.

- I gotta go.
- No, you don't.

I do. I promised.

I've gotta straighten
Sister's hair tonight.

I did. I promised.

Okay.

This better be something
worth my time and my trouble.

Now, would I lie
to you, sugar?

I don't know. I must be crazy
coming down here with you.

For you, baby.

Where did you get this car?

Friend of mine
loaned it to me.

Since when you got
such friends?

Well, I know it might come
as a shock to you, girl

but there's some things
you don't know.

You stole it.

Woman, you is the most
suspicious thing I've ever seen.

Go ahead, get in.

Go ahead.

These seats are soft,
ain't they?

Hm-mm.

Almost as soft as you.

- Keep your hands to yourself.
- Come on, now.

You know I'm dying
of love for you.

Levi, where did
you get this car?

- It's only the beginning, baby.
- The beginning of what?

Of me and you.

Shortest story
known to mankind.

Goddamn, baby.
I get you this car

and I tell you
how crazy I'm about you.

- And what more do you want?
- I want the big time.

Well, you're sittin'
right next to it.

- Come on, give me a kiss.
- No.

- Come on.
- No.

Open your mouth.

- Come on, open your mouth.
- No.

Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

Hey, baby,
you something else.

Why do you keep on doing
that to your hair?

It wouldn't hurt you to get
a little glamour, honey.

You don't see no kink on Marilyn
"S-for-Sexy" Monroe, do you?

Marilyn Monroe is a cracker.
If you keep on doing

that to your hair,
it's not natural.

- It's not natural.
- Would you hold still?

- You want me to burn you?
- Sorry.

Sparkle, I heard
something on you.

Miss Waters told me she seen
you on the roof with Stix.

Ain't nothing wrong with me
talking to Stix on this roof.

Heard you was doing more than
talking. Heard you was messin'.

- It ain't true.
- It is so.

- It ain't true.
- It is so.

- It ain't.
- It is so!

You want momma to hear you and
ask what you're talking about

then you wanna tell her? Ain't
nothing wrong with messin'.

Just make sure who ever
you're messin' with

stops down to the drugstore
and takes care of some business.

- Oh.
- Hmm.

- You hear me?
- Mm-hmm.

Don't come around here
with no big belly, crying

talking about you didn't know
what you was supposed to do.

And pick out somebody nice..

...with enough money
in his pocket

so you can stop down
to the Busch Jeweler

at 125th Street
and buy you something nice.

See what Levi got me?

- Levi Brown?
- Mm-hmm.

- You kidding.
- Cost $17. Real diamond chip.

Levi Brown
hustles with nickels.

It's about time Levi
got some good luck.

Sure is a mighty small stone.

You're late.

Did you play my number,
yet today, Shimmy?

How can I play your number when
no one's here to watch the store

while I go use the phone
on the corner?

Well, the reason
why I am late is 'cause, uh..

I was having a dream and
I didn't want to wake myself.

Yeah, yeah.
Just unpack this box.

And in the middle
of this here dream

there was this blinding flash.

Just unpack the box.

And right smack-dab in the
middle of this blinding flash

there were, uh,
there were three numbers.

You dreamed three numbers
last night?

- Uh-huh.
- Well, what is they?

I just got time
to call them in.

Shimmy.

What's that sign
on the window?

Oh, fellows from Lotus Records
here this morning.

Gonna give free passes
to Brooklyn Paramount

to the first ten who buy
The Moonlights' new album.

Here, write those
numbers down for me.

What's it to Lotus Records
if you only give away 5 passes?

What are you
talking about?

Let me have five passes.
I never asked you for no favors.

You ain't supposed to.
You is an employee.

Now, what's those
numbers, boy?

- What's the matter?
- Uh-oh, ah..

I-I think I'm having
a memory attack.

The numbers just-just flew
right out of my head.

Well, they better fly
right back in there.

You know, it's a funny thing
about my memory attack.

I got a feeling only one thing
is gonna cure it.

Or should I say five things
gonna cure it?

♪ I took my troubles
down to Madame Rue ♪

♪ You know that gypsy
with the gold-capped tooth ♪

♪ She's got a pad
down on 34th and Vine ♪

♪ Sellin' little bottles of ♪

♪ Love Potion Number Nine ♪

Yeah, alright.

♪ I told her that I was
a flop with chicks ♪

♪ I've been this way
since 1956 ♪

♪ She looked at my palm
And she made a magic sign ♪

♪ She said what you need is ♪

♪ Love Potion Number Nine ♪

♪ She bent down
and turned around ♪

♪ And gave me a wink ♪

♪ She said I'm gonna make it up
right here in the sink ♪

♪ It smelled like turpentine
and looked like Indian ink ♪

♪ I held my nose
I closed my eyes ♪

♪ I took a drink ♪

♪ I didn't know
if it was day or night ♪

♪ I started kissin'
everything in sight ♪

♪ But when I kissed a cop
down on 34th and Vine ♪

♪ He broke my little bottle of ♪

♪ Love Potion Number Nine ♪

♪ Jim Dandy on a submarine ♪

♪ Got a message for
the mermaid queen ♪

♪ She was hanging
on a fishing line ♪

♪ Jim Dandy didn't
waste no time ♪

♪ Jim Dandy to the rescue ♪

♪ Go Jim Dandy ♪

♪ Go Jim Dandy ♪

♪ Jim Dandy want to
go to Maine ♪

♪ Got a ticket on a DC plane ♪

♪ Jim Dandy didn't
need no suit ♪

♪ He was high as a bird ♪

♪ Jim Dandy to the rescue ♪

♪ Go, Jim Dandy ♪

♪ Go, Jim Dandy ♪

♪ Ba-doh, ba-doh, ba-doh,
ba-doh-ba ♪

♪ Sincerely ♪

♪ Oh you know ♪

♪ How I love you ♪

♪ I'll do anything ♪

♪ For you ♪

♪ Please say you'll be mine ♪

♪ Oh, Lord ♪

♪ Won't you tell me why ♪

♪ I love ♪

♪ That girlie so ♪

♪ She ♪

♪ Doesn't want me ♪

♪ Though I'll never never ♪

♪ Never never ♪

♪ Never let her go ♪

♪ Sincerely ♪

♪ Oh you know ♪

♪ How I love you ♪

♪ I'll do anything for you ♪

♪ Please say you'll be mine ♪

And when they went
"du du da da", I loved it.

Yeah, when that chick came up
and gave you her shoulder.

They both have no type.

- She got down!
- She was fine!

I think you sing better
than her any day, Sister.

Yeah, well.

- She's right you know.
- Oh, yeah.

You sing better
than her any day.

I think she got men
that know how treat her.

- Well, so do you.
- She don't take no train home.

Goodnight, sweet thing.

- Y'all take it easy.
- Thanks, Stix.

- You're real fine to invite us.
- Hey, Levi.

Look here, man, we could
start a group like that.

Hey, you know,
you and Sister can do anything.

Oh, Levi too.

Well, at least your family
got one smart female.

Simmons Hall have an amateur
contest every Friday night.

- Goodnight, Stix.
- I'm sorry. Goodnight, Sparkle.

Let's get together
and start rehearsin' tomorrow.

♪ Dance you don't know, whoa ♪

♪ Let momma show you how girl ♪

♪ Spread your feet out ♪

- That's good, that's good.
- I forgot the..

- Sister, know what I'm saying?
- I knew it.

Look, we ought to rehearse.
We ought to all be together.

Okay, don't leave, everybody.

Everybody, come on
and give 'em the applause.

- Are you okay, baby?
- I'm okay.

'Folks, they remind me
of the Cookie Sisters.'

You know about
the Cookie Sisters, don't you?

- 'No.'
- Lorna Doone and Nothing Doone.

Who's this here?

Oh, "Mae Belle Reese

from the Paradise Hotel."

There's a phone call for you out
in front at the desk, honey.

That's right, honey.
Go make that money.

Stix, I think thatchico■
is gonna hit us.

Yeah. Don't forget the do-das.

The sailor said, "I didn't know
I had to play in a cathedral!"

Yes, sir. Let's see.
Who's our next contestant here?

'I am.'

Hi, little lady.
What's your name?

- I'm Doreen Baker.
- 'Doreen Baker. Lovely name.'

'What are you gonna do for us?'

- I'm gonna sing.
- You're gonna sing?

- What are you gonna sing?
- I'm gonna sing "Lucky Lips."

"Lucky Lips."

With a face like yours you need
something lucky on it, honey.

I'm only kidding, baby.
I'm only kidding.

Here she is, folks.
Doreen Baker, alright?

♪ When I was
just a little girl ♪

♪ In long and clinging curls ♪

♪ My mama told me honey ♪

♪ You got
more than other girls ♪

♪ You may not be good looking ♪

♪ But you wear
the diamond clips ♪

♪ 'Cause you may not
have to worry ♪

♪ 'Cause you got Lucky Lips ♪

Get ready. They're gonna
give her the hook.

♪ Lucky Lips ain't for a kiss ♪

'We're all God's children.
We're all God's children.'

And right now..

...some neighborhood kids got
together and started a group.

'So, here they are,
without further ado.'

'That sensational
new singing group.'

- The Farts!
- The Hearts!

I-I mean, the Hearts,
the Hearts!

And here they are,
The Hearts! Alright!

♪ Jump ♪

♪ Jump ♪

♪ Jump ♪

♪ Jump ♪

♪ Jump ♪

♪ Jump, jump ♪

♪ But boy don't get shaky ♪

♪ Don't be mad and get flaky ♪

♪ 'Cause it stinks
you don't know well ♪

♪ Let momma show you
how it goes ♪

♪ Spread your feet out ♪

♪ Put your hands all out ♪

♪ Bend over, babe, over ♪

♪ We're gonna turn
the place out ♪

♪ And now you jump ♪

♪ We're gonna shake
a little funky ♪

♪ Doing fine ♪

♪ And now you're right on time ♪

♪ Jump ♪

♪ I hope my momma
don't follow the rules ♪

♪ Now, groove groove ♪

♪ We're gonna keep it
in the groove ♪

♪ Baby, you're all for me ♪

♪ 'Cause you're movin'
you're settin' me free ♪

♪ I just love the way
you party on ♪

♪ Don't want nothin' ♪

♪ To tear us apart ♪

♪ Tell you now ♪

♪ I ain't too proud to bed ♪

♪ Oh my partner
love to shake a leg ♪

♪ Just one thing
I need to know ♪

♪ If you love me please
do stay on this floor ♪

♪ And now you jump jump ♪

♪ We're gonna shake
a little funky ♪

♪ Doing fine now ♪

♪ And now you're right on time ♪

♪ Right on time ♪

♪ I hope my momma
don't call no ♪

♪ We're gonna keep it
in the groove ♪

♪ Just jump jump ♪

♪ We're gonna shake
a little bump ♪

♪ Jump jump ♪

♪ Now you're right on time ♪

♪ Jump jump
I got my momma don't call ♪

♪ We're gonna keep it
in the groove ♪

♪ Jump jump ♪

♪ Jump jump ♪

♪ Jump jump ♪

♪ Jump jump jump ♪

♪ Jump jump jump jump ♪

Did you hear them? Did you
hear them yelling "more! more!"?

If we'd have been prepared,
we could have sung all night.

First prize.
Who woulda thought?

I woulda thought.
Didn't I tell you we can do it?

This is just
the beginning.

Oh, we're gonna take
this here prize money.

And buy us an arrangement.

And maybe, just maybe,
even have enough

to buy you girls
some red dresses.

You'll see, baby.
We're going places now.

- Oh, we can do anything, Stix.
- Shoot.

Did you see it when Sister
came downstage

and give 'em her stuff?

They like peed
in their pants.

She sure was fine.

Well, you were
great too, baby.

I didn't do nothin'.

You know,
you sure look pretty.

You probably have
a lot of things to do now.

We won and everything.

Yeah, but I...I like
being here with you.

- You do?
- 'Mm-hm.'

Sweet, sweet baby.

Okay, it's fine. He won.

- 'I'm not going again.'
- 'Hey, you owe me two.'

- 'Alright.'
- 'Come on.'

Satin, Levi Brown.

The man I've been telling you
about. He's looking for work.

Hey, Satin, your bird ready
to fight mine too?

Your bird can't fight
again right away.

Any day, Roberto.

Take 10 dollars, man,
and put it on Roberto's bird.

To win.

Hey, wait a minute.

Put 5 for me too.

Smart kid.

Because Satin never loses.

- 'Hi, momma.'
- Hi.

- How's it going?
- Okay.

We've been rehearsing
all day again.

Stix and Sister fight
sometime awful.

Where are your sisters?

I don't know.

They all had
something to do.

Seems like ever since
we won that contest

everybody's so busy
all the time.

I don't see Stix around
at night anymore.

Oh, Stix's real busy, momma.

You know, trying to get us
into clubs and everything.

Why, man? Why?

I-I can't be no part of
no singing group, man.

I got big contacts now, a lot of
important stuff I gotta do.

- But our group's important.
- Oh, come on, man.

You don't need me.
I ain't nothing but, uh..

...a backup singer, no way.

It's my big chance. You know
how long I've been waitin'.

Yeah, but, man..

Mr. Daniels?

Mr. Warren.

Yeah, I came to see you
about my act.

Three girls and t..

One guy.
The Hearts.

The greatest group
you ever heard.

Not interested in any
new groups, Mr. Warren.

Harlem has enough
groups these days.

My clientele is interested
only in the special..

...not the ordinary.

This ain't no ordinary group.
It's uh--

So sorry, Mr. Warren.

Hey, how about three girls?
Three great girls. Sisters.

Still a group,
Mr. Warren.

Yeah, but you never
seen girls like this..

...sing so fine.

'Yeah, and they call her
the ugly one.'

I'll let them sing one song
next Saturday night.

N-n-now, you guys all
remember everything?

Why don't you get out of here
and leave us alone?

- Don't be nervous.
- Ain't nobody nervous.

You're the one
makin' us nervous.

Delores, don't rush
when you get out there, alright?

Stix, why don't you
go out front? Don't worry.

- Take all the time you need.
- Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.

Let me see you do those steps
in the middle with shoulders.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Club Shan-Doo in the past

has been very privileged
to present

some of the new discoveries
of the wonderful world

of show business.
And tonight is no exception.

'We would like to present
for your enjoyment'

'and entertainment pleasure'

'the very sensational,
dynamic, lovely, talented.'

Sister and the sisters!

♪ Your tender smile gives me ♪

♪ Happy thoughts of you ♪

♪ You got me so close
to my dreams ♪

♪ Now they have to come true ♪

♪ Oh baby ♪

♪ Nothing to be shy about ♪

♪ Nothing we got to lie about ♪

♪ Hope loving you
don't confuse you ♪

♪ Oh baby baby ♪

♪ I don't wanna lose you ♪

♪ And when we touch ♪

♪ Our hearts move
in a steady pace ♪

♪ Oh oh yeah ♪

♪ I'm trying hard not to show ♪

♪ The blushing over my face ♪

♪ Oh baby ♪

♪ You bring out the
woman in me ♪

♪ What can I say
that you can't see ♪

♪ I like the way we carry on ♪

♪ Hope you understand
my feeling ♪

♪ You got me
just to reelin' ♪

♪ What can I do ♪

♪ With this feelin' ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do
What can I do oh yeah ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love ♪

♪ Your eyes within me
they send me ♪

♪ They're just staring me down ♪

♪ I'm so turned on, untie me
child, I go to move around ♪

♪ Over and over you astound me ♪

♪ I take pleasure
to have you around me ♪

♪ My lovin' arms with
love to squeeze you ♪

♪ Oh baby take it
I don't wanna tease you ♪

♪ What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do
What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ Ooh nothing to be shy about ♪

♪ Nothing we got to lie about ♪

♪ Hope loving you
don't confuse you ♪

♪ Hope you understand
my feelings got me ♪

♪ Just a reelin' ♪

♪ What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do Ooh yeah
What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do
What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do
What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do
What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do
What can I do ♪

♪ Ooh yeah
with this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

♪ What can I do ♪

♪ With this feeling ♪

♪ Hooked on your love
sweet love love ♪

- Wonderful. We did it.
- We did it. We did it.

That's the greatest thing
I've ever seen in my whole life.

- You liked us?
- Liked you? Great mooka-mooka.

You were great. You had it
by the hand like castanets.

Take it out.
I gotta go see, Mr. Daniels.

He say to me. He said me.

"Eh."

- "Mr. Warren."
- You're crazy.

"I'd like to have a discussion
when you have a moment."

- A moment?
- A moment for Mr. Daniels.

I got weeks, years,
days, months.

Why not forever?

- Yeah, you did it.
- You were fabulous.

- Everything was on--
- Hey-hey now!

- Hey, Levi.
- Come on in, man.

I got big business
to take care of.

Girl, you just
the best thing I ever seen.

Hey, all of y'all
was good.

Aren't you gonna introduce me
to your friends?

'Oh, yeah. Y'all come on in.'

- 'This is--'
- Satin Struthers.

- Enjoyed your show.
- Thank you.

Some friends of mine
are having a party tonight.

Thought, you'd like to come by
so we can share your success.

I get a chance
to know you.

- I'd love to go.
- 'What? She's coming with us?'

Excuse me, I'll show
Miss Taylor to her taxi.

- Fine.
- 'A taxi?'

Levi, help me show
Miss Taylor to her taxi.

- You son of a bitch.
- I'll meet you outside.

'You son of a..'

'You dirty, rotten bastard!'

Get her out of here.
Give me this damn coat.

Hold onto that, man.
It belongs to me.

- Mr. and Mrs. Thompson?
- Yeah.

No luggage?

Uh, we're in town just
for a wedding.

We didn't plan
to stay over.

Miss Thompson, over there,
how old is she?

Eighteen.

- You got a marriage license?
- Sure.

- Here it is.
- Mm, I see.

Oh, here.

Thank you.

I ain't never been
in a hotel room before.

We're getting too big
to make love on the roof.

Besides, it's getting too cold.

Look, Stix, they got
the toilet wrapped up.

And the glasses.

And look, Cashmere Bouquet soap.

'Hi, Mrs. Thompson.'

Alright, alright.
Who is it?

'I wanna talk to you, Satin.'

- Too early in the morning.
- It's almost noon.

Alright, what's
on your mind now?

I've been working for you
a long time now.

- A few months.
- 'Yeah.'

I've been a real good worker
too, ain't I?

Yeah. Got no complaints.
So far.

Yeah, well, I need
more responsibilities, man.

- 'Like what?'
- Hey, I ain't makin' no money.

You're doing alright
the way I see it.

I got plans, big plans for
the future and I need big dough.

Now, I'm ready and you know it.

Levi, let me decide
when you're ready, okay?

Yeah, okay, Satin.

Effie.
Miss Waters, how you doing?

I didn't expect you
to come by tonight.

I just thought I'd see what all
the carrying on was all about.

Well, you shoulda
let me know sooner.

I'd have had
a special table for you.

I...I mean, we just decided
a few minutes ago to come down.

We can sit anywhere.

'Course, if you don't have room
for the mother of the stars.

Well, there's room.
Wait just a minute, okay?

Levi, Effie's here.

I'm saving these seats
for Satin.

- Miss Williams, how you doing?
- Hello, Levi.

- Miss Waters.
- 'Stix. Stix.'

Where's Satin
gonna sit at now?

He can sit with them.
Uh, maybe ask for Sister's hand.

Maybe share a reefer
with Miss Waters.

'Oh, hey, girl,
you better hurry up.'

- 'We don't have much time.'
- No?

'Stix says a real important
record man gonna be here.'

Oh, yeah?

'He said he's gonna try
and get us to make'

a demo record or something.

- Demo, huh?
- Yeah.

Says he's gonna..

- What happened to your face?
- Nothing.

Sister!

- Did Satin do that to you?
- Hey, that hurts.

- I had an accident.
- You had an accident, alright.

You had an accident of brain
when you started running around

with that low-life,
no-good trash.

Yeah? Well, why don't you just
get out if you don't like it?

- What?
- I said get out.

Hey, look here.
This is my dressing room too.

It's my dressing room too
and I said get out.

Hello, gorgeous.

I thought the exterminator
was here last week.

Your other sister's so nice and
you're as mean as you can be.

Leave me alone.

Baby, will you help me find
a book of matches.

What are you doing?
What is that?

Baby, your sister
can't fly on one wing.

Who are they?

Oh, This here
the girls' momma, Satin.

'Miss Williams,
this is Satin Struthers.'

Pleasure.

Oh, and Miss Waters, here.

I've heard a whole lot
about you, Mr. Struthers.

Likewise.

'Ladies and gentlemen,
Sister and the Sisters.'

♪ Shoo doo
shoo doo ♪

♪ Shoo doo
shoo doo ♪

♪ Many say
that I'm too young ♪

♪ To let you know just
where I'm coming from ♪

♪ Oh but you will see ♪

♪ It's just
a matter of time ♪

♪ My love will surely
make you mine ♪

♪ We hear them living
in a world ghetto life ♪

♪ Everyone seems
so uptight but ♪

♪ Nothings wrong nothing's wrong
it's alright with it's alright ♪

♪ My man
my man ♪

♪ I like the ways
we have our fun ♪

♪ His loving ways
send me on and on ♪

♪ With my man ♪

♪ People out there
can understand ♪

♪ I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ To let him know
this love is real ♪

♪ Well I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ To let him know
this love is real ♪

♪ This love is real ♪

♪ So much joy for us it seems ♪

♪ So much hope
for material things ♪

♪ Are they only in my dreams ♪

♪ Hey yeah hey hey ♪

♪ That's exactly
why I'm singing this song too ♪

♪ To prove that real things
do come true ♪

♪ You tell me
what does it mean ♪

♪ Ow wowoo ♪

♪ Livin' in a world
of ghetto life ♪

♪ Everyone is so uptight ♪

♪ But nothing's wrong baby
it's alright ♪

♪ It's alright
with my man ♪

♪ My man ♪

♪ Like the ways
we have our fun ♪

♪ His loving ways
send me on and on ♪

♪ He's my man ♪

♪ And people out there
can understand ♪

♪ I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ To let him know
this love is real ♪

♪ Well I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ To let him know
this love is real ♪

♪ This love is real ♪

♪ I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ Giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ Giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ Yeah hey hey ♪

♪ I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ Wo oh oh ♪

♪ I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

♪ I'm giving him
something he can feel ♪

- 'We'll be there.'
- 'Okay.'

- Hi, momma.
- We saw you out there.

Didn't know you'd
be here tonight.

- Hi, Miss Waters.
- Oh.

- Did you like the show?
- Oh, very much.

Come on, Miss Waters,
let's wait outside.

Well, I just wanna tell
the girls how great they were.

You tell them later.

Momma, did you see them
going crazy for us?

Oh, yes, I saw them.

Theatrical make-up is
terrible for my face, momma.

Sister.

Baby.

He's just gonna drag
you...to the gutter with him.

- Gutter?
- Hmm-mm.

How can you say that?
He's as big time as you can get.

I've lived in Harlem
all my life.

I do know a rat
when I see one.

You don't understand, momma.
You don't understand.

Well...I've said my piece.

I'm going home.

Bye, dear.
Have a nice day.

- 'Good morning, Effie.'
- Good morning, Miss Gerber.

- Is anything wrong, Effie?
- No, Miss Gerber.

I hope that if the time
should ever come when you need

someone to talk to you'd
consider me enough of a friend.

You haven't thanked me
for your fur coat.

I thanked you
every way I could, baby.

No, you haven't.

I want you to crawl for me.

- You want me to what?
- Crawl.

- Bitch, crawl, bitch.
- Ow.

Bitch, crawl! Crawl!

I heard the prettiest girl
in Harlem used to work here.

I guess she
must have moved on.

Don't start with me, please.

Alright.

Oh, Sister.

Don't touch it.

You're gonna
let that nigger kill you?

It ain't nothing a little
make-up can't cover.

Sparkle went to get it.

- A little make-up?
- Hmm.

What else is that nigger pushing
into you besides his fist?

Nothing.

Why don't you go out now
and leave me alone.

No. No, not this time.

Did you get it, baby?

Yeah.

- Let me see it.
- Give me that!

Give me that,
give me.

See what you did?

'Do you see?'

I'm sorry.

Your sister
can't fly on one wing.

Good evening, gorgeous.

Moe...I've been thinking.

Oh, I hear
you always thinking.

I've been thinking
that maybe

you and me ought to
get together sometime.

Sounds like all that thinking
is doing you some good.

Well, ain't I been
telling you that all along?

I mean...an important
man like you..

...I can learn a lot from.

Now you talkin'.

When do we start?

You know, you're really
important, you know?

Working so close
with Satin and all.

He must trust you
with everything, huh?

Everything.

So...what you doing
after the show?

Just free as a breeze.

Hey, where you going, baby?

I'm-I'm just gonna
go downstairs in the lobby

and get some
cigarettes. Okay?

Okay, hurry back.

- I'll be back.
- Alright.

- 'Operator.'
- Hello, operator.

Would you give me the police?

- 'Is this an--'
- Please, operator.

- It's an emergency.
- 'One moment, please.'

'25th Precinct, Sergeant Riley.'

- Police?
- 'Who's this?'

Never mind who this is, just
listen to what I gotta tell you.

There's gonna be
a big pickup tomorrow morning

2:30, on the Manhattan Bridge.

A man by the name
of Satin Struthers.

'Thirteen-362, Roger William'

'Six, Paul, John, Zebra.'

'692.'

'Containing a male,
45 years, 5'11, 190 pounds.'

Get on the radio.
Pick up that car.

Halt! Halt or I'll shoot.

Levi's gonna be alright.
You okay?

- Yes.
- You alright?

- Yes.
- Okay.

- Did you see Levi?
- No, they wouldn't let me.

'He got shot in the leg.
Stix got him a lawyer, though.'

'I just don't know what it's
gonna be this time, Delores.'

How could this happen
to Levi?

Somebody blew a dime on me.
I think it was you.

Hey, you crazy, man.
What you talking about?

Somebody blew the whistle
on me to the bulls horn.

- I think it was you. Now, talk.
- Look, you crazy, man.

Don't you know
Levi Brown's my best friend?

Whoever blew the whistle
thought they would get me.

I'm the only one that knew

Levi was gonna make
that pickup. Now, talk.

You're losing your touch, Satin.

You been beatin' up
on women too long.

'You're finished,
you know that?'

Fellas you work for,
they're gonna bust you up.

And you gonna be
right where you belong.

'In the gutter
with the rest of the shit.'

I didn't drop a dime on you,
but I wish I had.

- Delores? Is that you?
- Yeah, momma.

Where you going?

- I'm leaving, momma.
- You're leaving for where?

I'm leaving
and I'm going away.

What do you mean?

I mean...I can't live
like this anymore, momma.

I got to find another way.

Well, whatever
troubles you got here

are going right with you
in that suitcase.

You-you don't
understand, momma.

Like...like there's education
like there never was before.

Momma, we don't
have to be slaves

to the white
establishment anymore.

'We don't have to live off what
the white man throws our way.'

Thanking him for his
lousy pay and lousy jobs.

We don't have to run
around shining his shoes

and driving his cars
and cleaning his floors

and being his maid.

Go on now. Say it.

Being their maid. Huh?

Yeah, momma.

Being their maid.

Momma...I've seen you
ever since I was a little kid.

Getting up in
the middle of the night

to take the subway
to ride for two hours

to go to their house
to do their cooking

and to do their ironing
and do their cleaning

and wash the shit out
of their toilet.

And for what, momma? For what?

Bye.

'Then he says to Benny'

'I only got two left.'

'Funny story.'

'Funny story, Moe.'

'But you should have
left Benny in Vegas.'

I'd do it.
But seriously, friends.

Let's have a toast to our
gracious host and hostess.

Moe and Lee...
you're the tops.

'Hey and while we're
toasting, let's not forget'

'why we're here tonight.'

'I'm sure Moe and Lee
will join with me'

'in toasting
the Lorenzo brothers'

'and our new business venture.'

'To the success
of Amerikas Enterprises.'

Hey, Effie, more champagne.

Just one week,
Mr. Daniels.

Stix, I have
to put another act in.

Just put someone
in temporary.

Look, I know we can
get it together in a week.

Okay, one week.

Ow! I can't be no singer.

Oh, Tune Ann, you're
the best singer in church.

- C'mon.
- But that's church.

That ain't being on stage
before all them people.

Why, I'd shit in my pant-pants.

Come in.

She's not here yet?

Did you call the house?

The phone's disconnected.

She'll be here.
She always has been before.

I would like to pay you
for tonight anyway, Stix.

I'm awfully sorry.

You are welcome here, anytime.

Goodnight.

Thank you, Mr. Daniels.
Goodnight.

Stix, Stix.

Stix.

Wait, Stix.

- Wait. Stix, wait.
- I'm finished.

- No, please don't. C'mon.
- I worked my ass off.

But nobody gives a damn.

Delores goes off,
don't tell me nothing.

And Sister,
what did I ever do

but try to make her
something special?

- Stix, we could start again.
- Yeah, I'm going upstate.

What do you mean
"upstate"?

A friend of mine working
up there in construction.

Been making five or ten dollars
an hour, he tell me.

What, what about us?

Will you come with me?

I can't leave, Stix.

What's momma gonna do now?
Delores is gone.

- Stix, what about Sister?
- What about her?

I'm the only one
who cares about her anymore.

Then you stay.

What do you mean?
What do you mean?

Look, I gotta go.

Now, you're free
to come with me or stay.

Please, please
don't make me choose

between you
and my sister, Stix.

I ain't making you
do nothing.

Stix. Stix, please, please,
please don't leave me.

I gotta go.

'If I stay around here,
I'm gonna kill somebody.'

Stix!

Stix!

♪ Giving up ♪

♪ So hard to do ♪

♪ When you ♪

♪ Really love someone ♪

♪ Giving up ♪

♪ So hard to do ♪

♪ Lord knows I try ♪

♪ But I just can't
turn him loose ♪

♪ When my light of hope
is burning dim ♪

♪ But in my heart I pray ♪

♪ That my love
and faith in the man ♪

♪ Will bring him back someday ♪

♪ Yeah, heya ♪

♪ Whether or not he knows it ♪

♪ You know my man
really needs me too ♪

♪ You know the man
is all I got ♪

♪ And giving up
is so hard to do ♪

♪ Hey yeah ♪

♪ Giving up ♪

♪ Is so hard to do ♪

♪ Is so hard to do ♪

♪ And I am worn ♪

♪ Through the storm ♪

♪ Through the night ♪

♪ You got to lead me on ♪

♪ To the light ♪

♪ Take my hand ♪

♪ My precious Lord ♪

♪ Lead me home ♪

♪ When my way ♪

♪ When my way grows drear ♪

♪ My precious Lord ♪

♪ You know he lingers near ♪

♪ Take my hand ♪

♪ When my life ♪

♪ Is almost gone ♪

♪ Is almost gone ♪

♪ Hear my cry ♪

♪ Hear my cry ♪

♪ Hear my call ♪

♪ Hear my call ♪

♪ Hold my hand ♪

♪ Lest I fall ♪

♪ Lest I fall ♪

♪ Take my hand.. ♪

Thank you, honey.

You're sure a comfort to
Effie in her time of trouble.

You're a nice girl.

But I think you better
stay away from that cake.

- Hey, Stix.
- Hey, Tune Ann.

- How you doing?
- Okay.

- Is, uh..
- Everybody's in the kitchen.

Hi, everybody.

Would you like some coffee?

Uh, no, thanks.

I was, uh, wondering..

- Well, I was hoping..
- Sparkle is in the bedroom.

'Thanks.'

What do you want?

I'm looking
for a girl singer.

Didn't you know?

This family is fresh out.

- Sparkle--
- When did you get back?

A few days ago.

- My granny's been real sick--
- A few days ago.

I must have been out
when you called.

Sparkle..

- Look, I know how you feel.
- I know you do.

It's funny.

One brain in this room
thinking for two people.

Since when you know how
anybody feels about anything

except yourself,
Mr. Stix Warren?

Look, Sparkle,
we got a lot to talk about.

But unless you talk about it,
you know, just give me a chance.

Give you a chance?

Wanna hear something funny?

When you first left..

...I wasn't sure if I would
be able to live without you.

Yeah, I used to sit
in this room and wonder

will I get through
another second.

Can you imagine
a person so unhappy

they don't know if they'll
live through another second?

I got through the seconds, Stix.

The minutes, days,
months, weeks.

I'm doing fine
without you.

'Just fine.'

Sparkle, no matter
what you think of me

I came back
'cause I want you to sing.

Why you think I've been
so busy since I've been back?

Got me a job
at the record company.

Lined up all my old contacts.

You were always
so good at business, Stix.

- Business. Business.
- Baby, it was for you too.

And it is now.

- I want you to sing, Sparkle.
- What have I got to sing about?

Stix, what have
I got to sing about?

I loved Sister, too.

What happened to Sister
happened to Sister, not to you.

'You got your whole life.
I mean...I want you to sing.'

'Don't bury yourself
with your sister.'

Get out of here.

Get out!

Nobody ever understood
Sister except me.

Don't you ever,
ever use her name again.

- Sparkle, listen.
- Get out of here.

Get out.

♪ Yeah yeah ♪

♪ Livin' in a world
of ghetto life ♪

I heard Stix put
his grandmother in a fine home

where she'll be
taken care of real good.

That's nice.

Some folks think
he's a fine boy.

I'm one of them.

Momma, do we have to talk
about this again?

Well, honey...it ain't like
you being so...so unfair.

I told you a long
time ago, I said

"Spark, a man's got to do
what he's got to do."

Now, I know he ran
off and left you

but he came back,
didn't he?

Just to make records.

Stix is right to want you
to sing, honey.

Why, I hear you in church
singing for Sister.

You like to break my heart,
the glory of what God gave you.

I don't feel
like singing, momma.

But just go see him,
so you give yourself a chance.

♪ Baby I love you ♪

♪ Yes I do ♪

Do you feel like
doing it again?

I'm tired.

Well, how does
your voice feel?

Okay.

You know, I think
you're ready to make a record.

- The demo?
- No, the real thing.

Finished product.
Background singers.

Big orchestra. Everything.

- Makes me nervous.
- You're nervous.

You know, how much money
I gotta come up with for that?

How much?

Ten thousand dollars or more.

There's only one man I know
who got that kinda money.

- Mr. Gerber.
- Sit down. Sit down.

- You want some soup?
- No, thanks.

- You ever had matzo ball soup?
- No, I don't think I have.

I knew you never had it,
because if you ever had it

you could never
say no.

Another bowl of soup.

I heard a lot
about you from Sparkle.

And I heard a lot
about you from Effie.

Now that's outta the way,
how much money you want?

Ten thousand dollars.

If she's so good why don't
you let a record company

finance her record?
That's their business.

It's also their business
to sign her up for life.

This way what we
make belongs to us.

What're you putting
up as collateral?

My word that I'll pay you
back any interest you name.

Thank you.

Nobody's gonna give any money
with that kinda collateral.

Listen Mr. Gerber,
Sparkle's got more talent

than anybody that I know,
she's gonna make it big.

And I'll find somebody, some
place who'll give me the money.

Sit down, sit down.

All I said was that you ain't
gonna get the money

from anybody. I'm gonna get
the money...if I like her.

Like her? You'll love her.
She's fantastic--

If I like her,
this will be the deal.

I'll borrow the money from my
business associates and you will

pay me very handsomely
for the use of that money.

- Do you understand?
- Yes, sir.

Eat your soup.

Okay, do it one more time.
Try to do that one again.

And Sparkle,
just relax baby. Let it flow.

♪ Doo doo oo ooh ♪

♪ Doo ooh ♪

♪ Doo do doo do ♪

♪ Doo do do do ♪

♪ Doo do doo do yeah ♪

♪ If you look
into your heart ♪

♪ With a positive mind ♪

♪ Taste of inventory ♪

♪ You're a woman
and you're glory ♪

♪ Put the bad things behind ♪

♪ Everybody's got a story ♪

♪ About the love
and the good things ♪

♪ But for the spices
of your life ♪

♪ You've got to pay the price
if you know what I mean ♪

♪ And I'm telling
everybody out loud-- ♪

'Hold it, just hold it.'

I just don't think,
I can do this.

Sure, you can.

Hey, look you did just fine
yesterday, in rehearsal.

Okay, everybody.
Just...just relax.

Um, let me hear you one
more time over the speakers.

♪ If you look
into your heart ♪

♪ With a positive mind ♪

♪ Taste of inventory ♪

♪ You're a woman
and you're glory ♪

♪ Put the bad things behind ♪

♪ Everybody's got a story ♪

♪ About the love
and the good things ♪

♪ But for the spices
of your life ♪

♪ You've got to pay the price
if you know what I mean ♪

♪ And I'm telling
everybody out loud ♪

♪ That this woman makes
me feel so very proud ♪

♪ When I thought that
there was nothing left ♪

♪ I believe I found myself ♪

♪ I wanna give me
to you baby yeah ♪

♪ So if you look
into your heart ♪

♪ With a positive mind
O-oh with a positive mind ♪

♪ Change of inventory ♪

♪ You're a woman
and you're glory ♪

♪ Put the bad things behind
Put it behind yeah ♪

♪ I know my man
he really loves me ♪

♪ You know we don't
have that everyday ♪

♪ I know my man
he really needs me ♪

♪ Whatever you wanna do ♪

♪ I wanna do it with you baby ♪

♪ Yeah ooh oo ♪

♪ Do do do do ♪

♪ Do do do do ooh ♪

♪ Yeah yeah yeah ♪

♪ Love is not an
easy game no no no ♪

♪ And it's strong
and it's straight ♪

♪ Oh now I finally see
what you're giving me ♪

♪ What ever you wanna do
I wanna do it with you baby ♪

♪ Loving you more and more
I'm loving you more and more ♪

♪ Giving you all n' all of me
Giving you all of me ♪

♪ Loving you more n' more
Loving you more n' more ♪

♪ Giving you all n' all of me
Giving you all of me ♪

♪ Giving you more n' more.
Giving you all of me ♪

♪ Loving you more ♪

♪ Giving you more n' more.
Giving you all of me ♪

Let's cut it short.

We made it, we made
the charts, look.

- Number 37 and climbing fast.
- Oh, yes!

Whoo! The next stop,
Carnegie Hall.

There it is. All back,
plus 16 percent interest.

Now how's that
for a business man?

You should feel real proud
of yourself, Stix.

I am. I'm really proud of you
too for takin' a chance on us.

I'd like to talk
over something

that would be kinda, what
I'd call a sticky situation.

Well, my turn
to help you.

I'm real glad you feel
that way about it, Stix.

See, the business associates
I borrowed the money from..

Well, they're very quick to
recognize a good business

investment when they see one.
And you're doing very well.

You mean they want
more interest on the money?

No, it's not like that.

They would like you
to keep their money.

- Keep their money?
- Keep their money.

Consider it an investment
in the future.

- Future of what?
- Sparkle.

You see her having
a big hit record so young.

They feel with the record
business growin' the way it is.

- And you know, Vegas, TV--
- No, w-w-wait a minute.

You mean for
a measly $10,000

they wanna take profits
from me and Sparkle?

Now, don't get excited.

A deal is a deal. I made
a deal with you, Mr. Gerber.

I paid you back every cent, plus
16% interest that you asked for.

You know,
our business is finished.

It's not as simple
as that, Stix.

A deal is a deal.

Listen, you weren't
born yesterday.

I didn't just walk up to some
nice banker and ask for $10,000.

'You've been around. You know
what we're dealing with here.'

And you're
a nice man, Mr. Gerber.

I really liked doing
business with you.

But who you do business
with is your business.

Wait a minute, Stix.

My associates...if they let you
off the hook then they look weak

and they consider it
very bad business to look weak.

Wait a minute.
Stix. Stix. Stix!

Stix.

What a surprise.

What're you doing
here so early?

- Can we talk?
- Yeah, what about?

Well uh...Lee Gerber
came to see me last night.

He found out about
Mr. Gerber's business affairs

and the people
he's mixed up with.

Stix, she asked me
to come here and talk to you

because she's afraid.

Those people will get you
unless you do what they want.

Don't you think Stix
can take care of himself?

Don't you know they're messing
with a boy from Harlem?

What you worrying your pretty
head over nonsense for anyway?

You know what you
should be worried about?

Is what you're going to be
wearing to the concert tonight.

Besides, Mr. Gerber
don't know everything.

I got it all
under control.

Look, go and get
yourself together, okay?

- Where could Stix be?
- Oh, you know Stix.

He's out there telling
the orchestra how to play.

Or he's showing
people to their seat.

Or he may be selling
tickets at the box office.

Ah, it's one thing,
he ain't doing.

- Because it's all sold out.
- Yeah.

Hey, how's your
parents, Tune Ann?

Ask me in an hour. Better see if
the other girls are ready.

Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen.

And welcome to Ray Charles
at Carnegie Hall.

And to start the program off,
a great favorite of Ray's.

Ladies and gentlemen, Sparkle
Williams and the Soul Ladies.

♪ Lovin' you baby ♪

♪ Brings the chills
right down my spine ♪

♪ You give me so much joy ♪

♪ Your love's
kinda hard to define ♪

♪ All my love is yours ♪

♪ Ooh I confess
you're so smooth ♪

♪ Love me all the time ♪

♪ Ooh my darling
your just so cool ♪

♪ Lovin' you baby ♪

♪ Don't make it hard,
we're trying to make it ♪

♪ Our love so satisfied
love standing near ♪

♪ Side by side ♪

♪ So much faith,
so much pride loving you ♪

♪ Loving you ♪

♪ Don't let me go oh oh ooh ♪

♪ To leave me lonely
in trouble no ♪

♪ Just call my name
you know I'll be there ♪

♪ On the double baby.
Alright dancing all about ♪

♪ Take me out
and everything is cool ♪

♪ You might be the one ♪

♪ Just remember
don't forget, no ooh no ♪

♪ Loving you baby ♪

♪ Don't make it hard
when trying to make it ♪

♪ Our love's so satisfied ♪

♪ You love standing
near, side by side ♪

♪ So much faith
So much pride loving you ♪

♪ Oh baby loving you ♪

♪ Too doo doo too do doo ♪

♪ Too doo too do doo do ♪

♪ Too doo doo too ♪

♪ Loving you baby don't make it
hard when trying to make it ♪

♪ Our love's so satisfied ♪

♪ You love standing
near, side by side ♪

♪ So much faith,
so much pride, loving you ♪

♪ Loving you baby ♪

♪ Loving you,
loving you, loving you ♪

♪ loving you,
loving you, loving you ♪

Thank you, thank you.

You're all making this
feel real good up here.

My friends and I wanna
sing this next song

that goes back
with me a long time.

I'd like to sing
it for my sister.

No, I'd like to sing it
for all my sisters.

And especially
for my man, Stix.

He's out there somewhere.
I hope they can all hear me.

Thank you.

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Doo doo doo ♪

♪ If you look into your heart ♪

♪ With a positive mind ♪

♪ Take some inventory
your woman and your glory ♪

♪ Leave the bad things behind ♪

♪ Everybody's got a story ♪

♪ About the love
and the good things ♪

♪ But for the spices of your
life, you got to pay the price ♪

♪ If you know what I mean ♪

♪ Oh-oh I'm telling
everybody I've loved ♪

♪ How this girl becomes
so proud ♪

♪ When I thought that
there was nothing left ♪

♪ I believe I found myself
I wanna give it to you baby ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ So if you look
into your heart ♪

♪ Oh ooh with a positive mind ♪

♪ Take some inventory
your woman and your glory ♪

♪ Put it behind ♪

♪ Yeah yeah yeah ♪

♪ Love is not, you know,
you know it's not an easy game ♪

♪ Now I finally see
what he's given me ♪

♪ Whatever you wanna do
I wanna do it with you baby ♪

♪ I'm loving you more ♪

♪ Giving you all of me ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Loving you more and more ♪

♪ Giving you all and all of me ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Loving you
more and more ♪

♪ Giving you all of me ♪