By DF (24.168.8.162) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:29 am:

My date and I went to see Standing In The Shadows of Motown at the Loews Magic Johnson in Harlem, New York (2nd day). There were only 13 people in the audience, out of about 300-350 seats. I will admit that it was the last show (10:50pm) and it was raining.

Even with the timing and the weather, I still find it disturbing that this movie did not have more people than I thought it would. This movie is awesome, but sadly enough, it may be out of here in two weeks if these theaters stay empty. And the ironic thing is that this movie has gotten great write ups in every publication. And still no one wants to go view it.

Meanwile, the other theater was packed for "8 Mile. Spread the word on SITSOM.

By Wendal (68.42.209.170) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 02:55 am:

DF - 100% "THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME"

By Mark Speck (65.57.17.211) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 03:01 am:

It's debuting here in Cleveland on November 27th.

I'm on vacation next week, and I just might go to the matinee showing if I'm in town.

Best,

Mark

By HW (68.37.217.106) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 09:24 am:

I plan to take my family - my sisters et al - to see it next week when we are all together for the holidays. That's right - I worked on the soundtrack but I am putting the money in the till for the film.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.38) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:36 am:

DF&ALL; I ATTENDED THE REGENT SHOWCASE THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE ADVISE OF JAY PALMER. NICE SIZE SCREEN, GOOD SOUND, ABYSMAL ATTENDANCE. THERE WERE PROBABLY 25 PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, AND AS I WAS PAYING FOR MY TICKETS, FOUR YOUNG PEOPLE WERE ARGUING WITH THE TICKET SELLER THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE RECCIEVING COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS. THE MANAGER FINALLY LET THOSE FOUR IN THE SHOW FOR FREE...SOMETHING TO DO WITH A STUDENT NEWSPAPER OR SOMETHING. THE BEST PART OF THE REGENT SHOWCASE IS THAT IT IS A SHORT WALK TO "PINKS" HOT DOG STAND...L.A.'S VERSION OF "CONEY ISLANDS" BUT TWICE AS HOT AND GREASY. THERE ARE ONLY TWO THEATRES IN L.A. COUNTY SHOWING THE FILM, PLUS ONE IN ORANGE COUNTY. I HAVE SEEN LITTLE TO NO PROMOTION IN THE NEWSPAPERS FOR THE FILM, AND WHILE IT DID GET SOME RECOGNITION WEEKS BEFORE THE OPENING, NOW THAT IT IS HERE, YOU HEAR NOTHING ABOUT IT IN THE MEDIA. WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH, SEE THE FILM AND TELL OUR FRIENDS. IF ADDITIONAL PROMOTIONAL MONEY IS NOT FORTHCOMING, THEN THE PRODUCERS MUST IMMEDIATLY BEGIN TO NEGOTIATE WITH CABLE T.V. OUTLETS OR SOME OTHER SORT OF VENUE TO EXPOSE THIS FILM TO THE PUBLIC. IT IS A STORY THAT DESERVES TO BE TOLD!!!...STU

By Stevo (217.39.232.236) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 12:32 pm:

Sign of the times...

Standing In The Shadows of Motown = Detroit 60's

8 Mile = Detroit 90's - 2002

Not sure why it was warranted a release anyway.
Far better to reach a wider 'willing-to-watch' audience on tv/video/dvd than today's movie theaters.

Austin Powers' 1st movie didn't make any money or gain a massive audience until the video/dvd release kicked in.
Whereas, Madonna's new movie will be lucky to gain an audience at a video giveaway! *LOL*

Don't worry, the story/film will get out there. Word of mouth is still a strong method.

By TonyR (68.18.34.83) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:54 pm:

I also think the DVD will do better.Wish it would be out soon.These theaters in Orlando probably won't even get it.

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:58 pm:

I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE NOT RAKING IN THE MONEY, WHEN YOU CONSIDER SOME OF THE GARBAGE MICHAEL MOORE HAS BEEN PUTTING OUT AND CLEANING UP ON(ALTHOUGH I DID LIKE "ROGER AND ME")...STU

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 02:06 pm:

Note To DF and All:
SITSOM is now playing in three theatres in NYC. The Magic Johnson Theatres in Harlem is no longer carrying the film.
I don't know about you but I'm rounding up my friends this weekend to see this film.
Regards,
KevGo

By Russ Terrana (198.178.8.81) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 02:09 pm:

There's a good artical in our local paper here in Santa Cruz California
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2002/November/22/style/stories/01style.htm

By Karyl (65.33.211.201) on Saturday, November 23, 2002 - 04:52 pm:

TonyR, I also live in Orlando.

I have corresponded with Jay Boyar at the Orlando Sentinel and he says the movie will be HERE December 20. Keep checking the Calendar section of the paper!!

By Friday (209.245.115.36) on Saturday, November 23, 2002 - 09:56 pm:

Let's get those seats full-spread the word!!

By SteveS (68.41.251.33) on Saturday, November 23, 2002 - 11:26 pm:

Took another group of friends to the movie tonight at the Birmingham theatre. It's a good news / bad news thing. The bad news is that after last week's dissapointing turnout the movie was moved to a much smaller theatre in the complex. The good news is that a) the theatre was filled b) there was a line for the next show that looked like it would also fill the theatre, c) subjective call, but the crowd looked like "regular" moviegoers who were not connected to the movie in any way, but had picked up on the reviews or word of mouth. Let's hope so, cause those are the folks that made Greek Wedding a success.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, November 23, 2002 - 11:46 pm:

I just spoke with Fred Saxon who has an entertainment TV show in San Diego. He feels the movie is doing very well in the early stages.He has various sources that he refers to which give him facts and figures on the progress of various movies. Fred confims what SteveS just posted. The audiences are made up of everyday people just interested in Motown. Fred also sees the parallel in Greek Wedding.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, November 23, 2002 - 11:57 pm:

That's good news SteveS. I will see about encouraging and will take more people to see it. I think this time, it will be the younger generation.

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 12:56 am:

YOU GO SIS!!!...STU

By TD (67.24.148.253) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 07:32 am:

Hi everyone
The news out of D.C. is "sold out". I went to the 9:50 show last night at the Lanmark Theatre in Bethesda Md. with my 16 year old son and 20 year old daughter and was very pleased to read at the ticket window that the show had been sold out all day and was very happy to see that the last showing also sold out.
I couldnt help myself and was listening in on other movie goers comments. Extremely positive.
It was well worth the wait as I loved every minute of it. Great directing and well written, the movie received unanamous applause at the end. In addition, no one left the theatre until the closing credits were over. I never saw that before. The word is spreading. Lets leep it going.
PS my kids gave it thumbs up, we all actually enjoyed the flashback scenes with the actors. I thought it told visually a very important part of the Funk Brother's past.
TD

By TD (67.24.144.75) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 07:31 pm:

According to boxoffice for the weekend, sales were up 35% from last week. Hoefully were on our way

TD

By HarchOhio (205.188.209.38) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 08:13 pm:

I'm excited, because I won two passes and the CD today on Columbus, Ohio's Oldies station, Oldies 108.

I plan to see the film Wednesday with my wife and another couple!

I'll report Thursday on how full the theater is!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 08:16 pm:

Nice prize HarchOhio,
Let us know how it went.

By john c (12.81.197.50) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 12:20 am:

I brought my 9 year old son today for a Sunday matinee. The Oregonian critic gave a very nice review on Friday. It's playing on only one screen in Portland, but it's a nice "artsy" movie type theater with digital projection, whatever that is. The showing before us was pretty full and I could hear the applause at the end. Our showing was about 2/3 full, maybe 250 people, also with an ovation at the end. My son has never seen me cry, but he would have today if he could have taken his eyes off the screen.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 09:21 am:

John c,
That is about as good a review of the movie that I can imagine.

By Russ Terrana (198.178.8.81) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 03:03 pm:

I saw the movie yesterday (sunday 11-24) here in Santa Cruz. It was about 3/4 full and at the end of the movie there was a very big applause, which gave me a sence of "the guys got there due" It was great seeing the guys that way and I thought the production was great. After working many years with the funks, It was a real treat to see them in action again ... doing what they do best!

By thecount (64.53.143.173) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 07:57 pm:

Does anyone know how long the movie will be running in the greater DET. area and suburbs.I tried to gather information on that with the hopes of buying 6 tickets and giving them as door prizes,along with the many other door prizes we are giving out.Just thought this would be a good way to push people to atlease get their funky a--es there.I guess i'll buy 4 more cd's and give them as door prizes also.Our dance is the 14th.DEC. Why dont the theaters know when its no longer showing? "COUNT"ps.I will get the poster out of the showcase.I gave the girl at the ticket counter my "VESHESWAH" smile,and we made a deal on the poster.Maybe I can become a Profit Jones with this one.

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 08:11 pm:

L.A. SITSOM FANS; THE MAGIC JOHNSON THEATRE IN SOUTH CENTRAL HAS APPARENTLY ENDED THE SITSOM RUN...HOWEVER, IN ADDITION TO THE REGENT SHOWCASE THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD, THE MOVIE IS NOW ALSO SHOWING AT THE LAEMMLE PLAYHOUSE 7 IN PASADENA. IT'S LOCATED AT COLORADO BLVD. AND EL MOLINO IN THE PASADENA THEATRE DISTRICT IN THE "OLDTOWN" AREA...

By recordboyusa (67.34.73.196) on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 11:39 pm:

I saw the film on Tuesday afternoon in Miami Beach -- it's only playing at one theatre in Miami-Dade County. The folks in the audience loved it (as did I), but unfortunately there were just nine of us there! Yeah I know it's a Tuesday, just prior to a holiday weekend, but I would have liked to have seen more people there. Maybe as word of mouth gets around, more folks will check it out. I can only hope so.

Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com

By leoscasino (66.72.204.99) on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 05:35 pm:

Saw SITSOM at an advance screening at The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland last night. The movie was very good. The lack of validation that these people got back then was shameful. My heart ached during many scenes. Bob Babbitt speaking with a lump in his throat remembering his friends was extraordinary. The highlight; Uriel Jones, Joe Messina, and Joe Hunter along with Allan Slutsky walking on stage, in the flesh with the credits rolling. They spent the next 90 minutes answering all our questions. Surreal!

By Dave Moore (63.183.136.239) on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 09:44 pm:

CALLING TONY R...

Hi Tony,

The film is showing in Maitland nr Orlando on 20th Dec. Alternatively there is a showing in Tampa around the same time. My wife and I are ex pat Brits living in Florida and are planning to see the movie then. Details can be found on the SITSOM web site.

Regards,

Dave

By HarchOhio (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 08:22 am:

Well, I saw the film last night (Friday 11/29)the first day it played in Columbus, OH. Only about 50 people at most in the Drexel theater's main auditorium. But they watched intently, and, I kid you not, APPLAUDED after the performance of "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted." Also applauded after the film ended. And most stayed through the credits, which was cool, and were delighted to see the surprise bit at the very end where they turn out the lights in Studio A.

What a great film!

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 04:11 pm:

That song works well with Joan, and with "Pistol" back there giving it all that soul. Pistol was 100% into it, enjoying it. I get chills and tears everytime. Pistol still lives.
Sis

By Greg C. (209.71.79.181) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 01:44 pm:

SITSOM is an excellent film but I don't expect it to do well.

Why?

Because it's a thinking man's movie. It's a compelling slice of musical history that needs to be told. It's not about car chases, screeching tires, torrid sex, scantily clad women or any of those other simplistic and predictable lures that attract the narrow mainstream. I'm glad my background and sense of awareness and appreciation allows me to understand and enjoy a film like this. Can't wait for the DVD. I WILL own a copy of this masterpiece!

By Millie (68.40.209.129) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 08:02 pm:

Greg,
I did expect SITSOM to do well, and am very disappointed that it hasn't, however, I agree with what you had to say about what's making money at the box office. Sad comentary, isn't it.

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 08:17 pm:

Car chases, sex and the like have always sold movies and always will -- that doesn't bother me.

What helps a film like SITSOM is word of mouth, a friend telling a friend, and on and on. There have always been hit movies that don't pander to the lowest common denominator, and they often struggle for a while but find their audience eventually -- SITSOM is like that.

That's the way of the world. Nothing to wring one's hands over.

By thecount (65.60.149.108) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 09:34 pm:

While I was in the waiting room at my oncologyst's yesterday,another was talking to his friend on his cell and I over heard him saying he will meet whoever this friend is at the theater,I heard him say the FUNK BROS.So I knew he was talking about SITSOM.I asked him if he heard the sound track yet,he said he wanted to wait till he see's the movie.I went to my kar and brought the cd in and gave it to him and said,here,dont wait to see the movie,listin to it on the way home and to the movie.He wanted to pay me but I said no,it's on me,I have more,but come to our doo-wop dance.Well then he told me of his type of cancer,which is colon,and when I told him I had NON-HODGKINS,LYMPHOMA,he said he has to be in the hospital for 3days every month for treatments.He said they give him coffee enemas,some kind of kleaning of the colon,which is a new discovery in treating it.I thought,wow,I can just hear the coffee commercials now,
THE BEST PART OF WAKEING UP,
IS FOLGERS IN YOUR BUTT. "COUNT"

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 09:44 pm:

Haaaaa! Better copyright that one and sell it to the coffee enema makers!

I forgot to post; I bought the last copy of the SITSOM soundtrack at Street Corner Music on Saturday. A guy ahead of me was looking for it in the store for some time. He finally got a clerk to get one for him; he got the second to last copy.

I don't know who locally has the Motown account but they should get more product out there ...the clerk said "Wow we're selling a lot of these."

DUH.

Whatever happened to keeping a stash in the back room?

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 09:44 pm:

HEY COUNT; THAT GIVES ME A NEW UNDERSTANDING AS TO WHEN MY DAD WOULD COME INTO MY ROOM AT AT 7:00 AM AND TELL ME TO WAKE MY ASS UP...IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN!!!...STU

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 10:01 pm:

PS TO COUNT; MY NEPHEWS WIFE HAD (HAS) NON-HODGKINS, AND AFTER UNDERGOING TREATMENT...SHE'S DOING JUST FINE...BEST OF LUCK...STU

By Ed Wolfrum (69.3.204.127) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 10:02 pm:

SISOM is a well crafted, educational, entertaining and elegant movie. I don't believe it was ever intended for the "GENERAL" audience. It is, however, of interest to all music lovers because of all it is. Paul is a great film maker and Alan deserves the credit for the vision of this film.

However, much like Sue's, Alan's or Dennis's book it is of historical importance to the industry and to serious lovers of the art, not to the "average Joe." This is what makes art, be it music, film or journalism unique.

SITSOM's major attentive audience will always be a fragment; an educated fragment however. BUT, as Sue and Millie point out, this audience can be broadend only by word of mouth.

That's what we have to do.

And Sue, I still believe that the soundtrack CD does not do justice to the FUNKS or to the film.

Sue, Artie and I would like to invite you and Millie over sometime for dinner, and after dinner for guided tour of audio listening and analysis though the experiences of music producer and audio engineer. I think this may prove to be educational.

By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 10:17 pm:

Sorry Ed, but I'll pass on the invitation. I've known and interviewed a lot of producers and sound engineers over time.

And I don't think we agree on what constitutes polite discourse on a discussion board.

You're totally wrong about SITSOM. As a movie it grips people who were too young to know Motown; people who were too old, and many in between.

Motown is about as universally appealing a music as is possible, and the onscreen personalities of Ashford and Hunter particularly are irresistible to all ages. It's the very definition of mainstream. My 80-year-old mother howled throughout the film, and she knows not a whit about Motown.

When Johnnie Griffith died, she said "Is he the one who told the spy story?" That story had her laughing harder than anything. The film is entertaining on several levels, only one of which is the music.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 11:08 pm:

Ed,
Sue makes a strong point. After all it was the " average Joe " that was buying all those Motown records.

By SteveS (68.41.251.33) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 11:19 pm:

I've got to agree with Sue - I've literally dragged, or otherwise coerced all sorts of people who don't know jack about Motown or popular music, some who don't even go to movies, and they ALL loved it. To say that it's for specialists is like saying that Casablanca is for World War II buffs.

On this board we talk about the details, but beyond that there's a great human story about a group of men who beat obscurity in the bottom of the ninth, and get recognized for their role in something that changed the world (evidenced by the international membership of this forum). Anyone who sees the movie inevitably must contemplate whether they'll ever be recognized for own work, or whether they'll also be left "standing in the shadows". That's a very universal theme (let's be honest - many of the posts in this forum are from folks trying to let others know "who they are and what they did" to paraphrase Joe Hunter) and it goes way beyond music.

The fact is that SITSOM will be around for a long time, much like Monterey Pop, Woodstock or the Last Waltz. However, many of us would like to see the movie thrive in the short term so that the Funks can reap some rewards from it.

By larry (12.141.160.25) on Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 11:21 pm:

My gal say's she thinks SITSOM will grow in popularity as did My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

I hope she's right.

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 09:13 am:

Count, don't laugh about those coffee enemas, that & raw food (not above 120 degrees)stopped bone cancer in my daughter when chemo& radiation were not an option.

Let me know when you need my help with the dance.
LYNN

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 11:48 am:

Ed:
I've said to all my friends & colleague that if they own even one Motown record (or a record the Funks played on), they better see this movie. As a result, at least eight of my friends have seen it.

Sue:
I agree with you about not belaboring the point regarding the CD sound quality but at least take up Ed's offer for dinner. He is trying to show some good will.

Regards,
Kevin Goins - "KevGo"

By douglasm (68.113.15.28) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 02:29 pm:

I would LOVE to see this film. The problem is one of distribution. Although it plays well in larger markets, it probably won't show in small or medium markets, especially outside of the mid-west. Our local paper's entertainment editor compares the distribution problem with that suffered by "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" which showed up here (Wenatchee, WA--that's where many of your apples at Food Fair come from) a week before it went onto video. As far as I know, the only theatre in Washington that's playing it is in Seattle, and though it goes into wider release after the first of the year, I'll probably have have to wait for its April 3 video release. Someone mentioned that it's an adult film with limited appeal. Unfortunately they may be right. We have 10 screens in town, and I swear 8 of them are showing "Jackass".

By TonyRussi (68.18.34.83) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 03:00 pm:

Hey Guys I'm really excited...thanks Karyl and Dave...the flick will be at the Enzian Theater in Maitland, Fl. Dec. 20th.I plan to take a crowd and mayby have a Motown sock hop at my house afterwards!

By thecount (64.53.143.173) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 04:59 pm:

LYNN,in all seriousness(spelling?)thanks for offering to help,but we are all set and will be doing last minute details and arrangements FRI. knite.I just would like you and all to just come and enjoy yourselfs.THANX LYNN.
p.s. if something does come up,I will get hold of you.After all the CHEMO& BONE MARROW shit I went through,there are some great and strange miracles developing for cures and prolonging a life. "COUNT"

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.30) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 05:03 pm:

Hey Count,
you look after yourself man,
MEL.

By thecount (64.53.143.173) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 05:19 pm:

MEL,thanx man,I'am just fine,and thanx for all those great e-mails,and really appricate your concern.I'll have more time here and with you after our dance.Hey,fly in and a free-bee on me for you to the doo-wop gig."COUNT"

By Millie (68.40.209.129) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 11:29 pm:

Hi Steve (Count),
Looking forward to seeing you at the dance on Saturday night. So sorry you haven't been well, but with your attitude, I know that you'll beat it again...nothing can keep the "Count" down for long.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 10:26 am:

Hey Count,
you have a lot of friends here that care about you. We're backing you pal.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.7) on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 10:52 am:

count,
the only way I could fly in would be if I suddenly sprouted wings man.
Thanks for the great offer though.
I know the gig will be a blast,
Your mate in the uk
Mel.