By Vonnie (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:10 am:

The Today Show entertainment reporter Jill Rappaport gave a preview of the ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE DOCUMENTARY.The show will be opening next week in limited venues.

Jill interviewed the CHI-Lites, and boy do they look good! There was a special show done at the Blue Note Club in New York, Eugene Record sang at that show. He left the group awhile ago to pursue Gospel singing career.

Sam Moore was interviewed and he talked about his past drug dealing and addiction. He has been clean since 1985 and is grateful for being featured in the documentary.

Jill's interview with Mary Wilson was great. Mary looked fabulous and her singing was wonderful. She was asked the usual question regarding her relationship with Diana Ross. Mary again set the record straight, there is no feud between her and Diana, she loves Diana. I really liked the way Mary explained the music and why she is still participating in the music. She said, "people are using the term oldies" to describe the music, she dislikes that term. The music will never be old.

I loved the brief glimpses shown of the "Hot Buttered Soul Man" himself, Isacc Hayes. They also showed a brief glance of Jerry Butler singing.

I am so happy that the music that is known around the world is being resurrected. This will allow the youth of today to hear and enjoy great music.

Vonnie

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 11:38 am:

That's great news Vonnie...

I am looking forward to this film so much, just like a kid...That's how I felt about SITSOM too...

these films are such treats for us music lovers, I agree with Mary - it's not old - just so damm good you don't want it to go away.....while the teens look forward to Harry Potter..I can't wait til the next music doc or film is made..

LOVING IT!!!

Vickie

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 12:37 pm:

I agree with both of you we have the Funks and now this!!! Oh its just too much..
Stephanie

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 12:58 pm:

Vonnie:

I also saw the report with Jill Rappaport of the Today show and it was a great showcase for the movie. I cannot wait to see it!

I agree with your comments about Miss Wilson. She is a class act and positive and blamed any differences with Ross on the "business" rather than personal. From talking to her in the past I do believe there was pain about the Return to Love Tour because Mary felt that she was being expunged from the record books. But even during that fiasco she would not allow Diana bashing from outsiders.

By Marv (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:05 pm:

She was gorgeous (looking like she is about 35 yrs old). They showed
clips of her rehearsing in the movie, then live on stage. They showed
archival footage of the original Supremes. Then Mary was interviewed
by the Today Shows Jill Rapport (Jill is also from Detroit and seemed
very excited to be speaking to Mary Wilson). Mary said some nice
things about Diana Ross. Mary acknowledged that she, herself is a
survivor. They later showed Mary on stage with Roberta and Karen
along with Jill Rapport singing You Can't Hurry Love. Don't forget
the Tonight Show tonight LOL

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 09:11 pm:

Jill R. went to Birmingham Seaholm, as did her sister Linda Solomon, the photographer -- we were all within a few years of each other there.

By Tyrone (192.128.133.68) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:11 pm:

If the soundtrack to this documentary is any indication than the documentary has to be a monster. The soundtrack came out Tuesday for those who didn't know. However, I wonder why "Someday" was the choice of the producers to use instead of a Supremes recording that Mary actually recorded. It's still great though and Mary shines. I'm going tomorrow to the show-Phipps Plaza, Atlanta GA.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 04:40 pm:

Mary was not on Jay Leno last night I wonder why?
Stephanie

Isaac Hayes and Sam Moore were good though, I do wish I had seen Mary though....

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 05:45 pm:

I liked Isaac's comment on the trailer about his sunglasses.....
....how's the rest of the soundtrack CD, and do you have a cut list?

By Fred (152.163.252.68) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 07:20 pm:

Track list
1. Soul Survivor - Wilson Pickett
2. Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes) - Carla Thomas
3. Soul Man - Sam Moore
4. For Your Precious Love - Jerry Butler
5. Someday, We'll Be Together - Mary Wilson
6. Have You Seen Her - The Chi Lites
7. Walking The Dog - Rufus Thomas
8. Breaking Up Somebody's Home - Ann Peebles
9. (In The) Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
10. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - Sam Moore
11. Night Time Is The Right Time - Carla Thomas & Rufus Thomas
12. Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler
13. Don't Let Go - Isaac Hayes

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 07:28 pm:

Is there an official web-site for this film..
or more info where it will be shown..

Vickie

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 07:59 pm:

yes there is....
www.onlythestrongsurvivethemovie.com is the web site, with movie showing information. Also check the Mirimax site for more information. The film should be in theatres now, it was scheduled to open today in limited release, in a theatre not near me. Again.

By Percy (68.129.150.156) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 08:00 pm:

There's some info about the film at miramax.com.

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 08:06 pm:

Along with a trailer.

www.miramax.com/only_the_strong_survive/

By bosstrainer (217.39.53.91) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 06:17 pm:

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Southern premiere of the movie while I was in Memphis last month.

It is superb and a fitting testament to the stars who are featured. Rufus Thomas's spirit pervades the movie from start to finish.

It was great to be in the audience with some of the stars - Ann Peebles, Carla Thomas etc because it made the atmosphere brilliant as they clapped and whooped for each other!!

The Director Pennebaker and his producers answered questions after the movie. This was interesting because they said that they had to cut a lot of material they filmed such as the Masqueraders at the Luther Ingram Benefit Concert from a couple of years ago. The good news is that the DVD will include the out takes - well Pennebacker promised the Masqueraders to their faces that he would included them.

Don't miss it!!!!

Another movie which was premiered in Memphis was the new version of Wattstax for DVD - it was introduced by Larry Shaw one of the producers of the film who very interestingly explained the context of the movie.

Larry sadly died a week later from a heart attack while still in Memphis. His daughter Kim Brisco is actually the head of publicity a the Stax Museum and a very helpful lady.

This was the third Stax related death a week after the opening of the Museum - Harold Johnson of the Astors died on 5/5/03 and Stefan Anderson died this week.

These deaths demonstrate the importance of documenting the lives and music of our soul stars before it is too late and giving them the recognition they deserve for the enjoyment they have given to so many people.

Thanks Colin