ANNOUNCER: Previously on Genius.
CECIL: Well, Re, you wanted to meet the man who made my medallion?
Ken Cunningham meet my sister Aretha Franklin.
ARETHA: Pleasure to meet you.
KEN: It's an honor.
I love you.
ARETHA: I...
KEN: This isn't going to work if you keep shutting me out.
RICK: I thought he was a preacher?
TED: Well, he loves Sunday morning and Saturday night.
CL: This is ridiculous.
Oh, see, now you done planted that.
REPORTER: Queen your sisters sing backup for you,
do you plan on ever singing back up for them?
ARETHA: We are family and we will always support each other.
CAROLYN: Any chance you'd write the liner notes?
CL: Carolyn asked you to write the liner notes in her
new record but you ain't got the time to empower her.
When you heard Erma was recording "Preacher Man",
you went and released your own version to undercut her chances.
ARETHA: How much help do ya'll need from me?
Jerry Wexler, he gets me.
JERRY: Let Aretha be Aretha.
And Ms. Franklin, I do appreciate your trust.
ARETHA: Well, shit, if you can't trust Jerry Wexler.
(applause).
♪ Sometimes you love me ♪
♪ Like a good man ought to ♪
♪ Sometimes you hurt me so bad ♪
♪ My tears run like water ♪♪
MAN: Come on now girl.
♪ You get me out ♪
♪ Right before your friends ♪
♪ And then you disown me baby ♪
♪ Until we're alone again ♪
♪ Your love is like a see saw ♪
♪ Your love is like a see saw baby ♪
Your love is like a see saw ♪
♪ Going up and down ♪
♪ All around like a see saw ♪
♪ Sometimes you tell me ♪
♪ Your gonna be my sweet candy man ♪
♪ And sometimes baby ♪
♪ I don't know where I stand ♪♪
(sighs)
♪ You lift me up ♪
♪ When I'm on the ground ♪♪
CL: That's right, sing it.
That's right, that's my daughter.
Oh, look here I done drank too much already.
That's my daughter.
I taught the Queen of Soul everything she knows,
especially them dance moves.
WOMAN: Oh, let me see.
CL: Oh, you don't believe I'm going to do it.
WOMAN: Oh, all right.
CL: Look at that, come on, come on, come on.
You can't get that, you can't get that, you can't get that.
Oh, yes you can.
(cheering).
CL: We going deep onto the floor.
Oh. Look at you.
What you working with?
Oh, yeah. Oh my.
Look at you.
Yeah, right girl.
Mm. Mm. Mm.
You all continue, I'll see ya'll later.
WOMAN: Uh huh. WOMAN 2: Bye now.
CL: Later.
Allow me to introduce myself.
FREDIA: My name is Fredia and everybody in Detroit knows
the famous CL Franklin and his Million Dollar Voice.
CL: Haven't I seen you at New Bethel?
Last June, my pastor's anniversary, front row, red dress.
FREDIA: I can't believe you remember me.
CL: You's a little she‐devil.
What do you say we continue this conversation at my house?
FREDIA: Well, I hear you have a lovely home.
CL: And I'd love to show you every inch of it.
FREDIA: Well, what I was really hoping was that you'd
pass my songs along to your daughter.
She could use some new material and maybe one of the
songs that I've written could be a big hit for her.
CL: How about I get to know you better and then I can pass
on your music and give your songs my personal recommendation.
You know, Aretha don't do nothing without my say so.
FREDIA: Well, all right then.
CL: Is that all right for you?
Come on, lovely, because your love is like a seesaw.
Up, down, all around.
See saw.
Woah!
(crash)
(horn).
FREDIA: Oh! CL: Ah!
FREDIA: I knew you was too drunk to drive!
Acting like you all that.
It is a completely different story.
Did you even call?
Don't (inaudible) from no punk!
CL: I just got out of control.
Nobody got hurt.
Nobody hurt.
(police sirens).
CL: Oh, no.
(theme music playing).
♪ ♪
ARETHA: Cecil, how's Daddy?
♪ Love and happiness ♪♪
CECIL: Daddy's going to be fine,
okay, so stop worrying.
Sure, maybe him wrecking a car get him to quit his foolishness.
ARETHA: He's out on bail now but he could have killed himself
and somebody else.
CECIL: I hear you.
Come on, let's tackle these bills, okay?
ARETHA: I hired someone to do all this.
I ought to go over there and slap them upside the head
for all that money I paid them.
CECIL: I'm here to help, for free.
ARETHA: Thank you.
CECIL: Mm‐hmm. Okay, first notice.
Oh, jeez, final notice.
Lots of bills, you helping everybody.
First notice, first notice, first notice.
Okay.
All right, we got things for Daddy, me, Carolyn, Erma,
things for Ken and the kids.
ARETHA: You think I should do more commercial stuff?
CECIL: Not at all. Only ever sing what you want.
♪ Baby, love and happiness ♪♪
ARETHA: Now, I think we should call Jet.
Tell 'em we have a story for 'em.
You want to hear it?
CECIL: Mm‐hmm. ARETHA: Mm‐hmm.
Cecil Franklin, the "Queen of Soul's Hidden Asset."
Most valuable, hidden asset.
CECIL: Let's, let's, let's just get Jet on the phone.
ARETHA: You like that one?
CECIL: Oh, I think the number in the kitchen.
ARETHA: You got a number?
CECIL: Let me, I got it, stay right there.
We'll get Jet to pay for the article, Jet pays bills.
(laughing).
♪ Yea, yea, you, you, you, you ♪♪
ARETHA: This one is a yes.
JERRY: Okay, a single maybe, huh?
ARETHA: Could be the title cut.
JERRY: Yeah, sure.
ARETHA: Let's try this.
(disco)
ARETHA: Nope, no way.
JERRY: You, you only heard like four notes.
Come on. None of these?
ARETHA: I love you, Jerry, but I do not love disco.
JERRY: Oh, look at the charts.
There's no denying that's where the music is.
I mean if you want hits.
Okay, doesn't have to be a disco song,
it's going to be an Aretha song.
ARETHA: Mm‐hmm.
JERRY: I'm just saying there's a lot of people out there coming up,
nipping at your heels, and they're all singing disco.
ARETHA: I have worked very hard to get where I am and
I've opened a lot of doors for a lot of singers.
And I get it, if I want to be on top,
I've got to think outside the box.
But I, I cannot sing what I don't feel.
JERRY: Okay, not for nothing but Ruth can get you a
very nice Las Vegas booking.
ARETHA: That's not for me, Jerry.
JERRY: Las Vegas.
ARETHA: Not for me and you know it, so stop.
JERRY: Okay, okay.
ARETHA: So, we're going to start recording in a month
and it'll come out in the fall, right?
JERRY: Uh, yeah, yeah.
ARETHA: Tell you what,
I'll take this little thing right here
and give it a listen again and see if I like it or not.
JERRY: Okay. ARETHA: What's wrong?
JERRY: Well, I've been looking for a way to tell you this.
ARETHA: You okay?
JERRY: Yeah, no, I'm fine.
I, uh,
I am leaving Atlantic.
ARETHA: Nah, you kidding.
JERRY: No! No, they're not treating me like a partner anymore, you know,
it's more about the money than the artist.
So, I'm out.
ARETHA: Ain't that some shit.
JERRY: Now, you know I'll always have your best interest at heart.
ARETHA: Well, I know, I know.
But when I first signed with Hammond at Columbia I,
I thought I was going straight to the moon.
I was singing beautiful songs, but I couldn't chart to save my
life and then you, you came and showed me something I couldn't see for myself.
JERRY: Well.
ARETHA: And what we did with "Respect".
JERRY: And "Natural Woman" and "Chain of Fools".
ARETHA: Mm‐hmm. JERRY: And "Think".
ARETHA: All right.
JERRY: You changed music.
ARETHA: Well now, we changed music.
It's not going to be the same without you over here.
JERRY: All right, all right.
I'm, I'm leaving the company, not the planet.
Okay?
And unofficially I'll always be on your team.
And I'm only a phone call away.
ARETHA: Well, maybe my things done too.
JERRY: Please.
ARETHA: Who am I without you?
JERRY: You're the Queen of Soul.
ARETHA: How about we make one last record together?
JERRY: We'll call it "You" and it'll be your biggest hit ever.
♪ ♪
♪ Gotta find me an angel ♪
♪ To fly away with me ♪
♪ Gotta find me an angel ♪
♪ Oooo and set me free ♪
♪ My heart's without a home ♪
♪ And I don't want to be alone ♪
♪ Gotta find me an angel ♪♪
(phone ringing).
♪ In my life ♪
♪ In my life ♪♪
CL (over phone): Hey, Aretha.
ARETHA: Hey, Daddy.
CL (over phone): You got a minute?
ARETHA: Daddy, you missed a great party.
CL: I, I, I'll make the next one.
I, I, I want to know you going to be able to make my,
my court date, yes or no.
ARETHA (over phone): Well, well when is it?
CL: It's next month, Aretha.
ARETHA: Well, I'll try.
Everyone was here.
Quincy, Stevie, Smokey.
ARETHA (over phone): Jerry brought some of those rock and roll people,
and Pops Staples was asking for you.
CL (over phone): Yeah, I called you.
I want to know why you ain't selling.
And, and don't try to pretend.
I know the critics don't like it and the folks
ain't buying it.
CL (over phone): I'm worried about you, Aretha.
ARETHA: I'm, I'm going to talk to you later, okay?
CL: Oh, you don't want to talk to me now.
ARETHA: Daddy, I got to go.
CL: Make my court date, now, in a month.
Love you.
♪ So I'll just go on ♪
♪ Hoping that I find me someone ♪
♪ Gotta find me an angel ♪
♪ In my life ♪
♪ In my life ♪♪
ARETHA: You all sound great singing; you should record it.
ERMA: Thank you, we might just do that.
CAROLYN: Your albums going to see a nice bump next month
after the Grammy nominations come out.
ARETHA: Let's hope.
CECIL: So, what'd Daddy want?
ARETHA: For me to come to his court date.
KEN: You jiving? ARETHA: I am not.
CECIL: You going? ARETHA: I don't know.
CAROLYN: Sis, you threw a great party.
ERMA: Mm‐hmm, them music folks showed up and film too.
Gordon Parks.
KEN: Mm‐hmm, Shaft and the Learning Tree now.
That brother got it going on.
CECIL: I hear his next picture going to be about Bessie Smith.
ARETHA: Sounds like a role for me.
ERMA: Except you don't have the acting experience.
ARETHA: Well, I'll take some acting lessons.
ERMA: Mm‐hmm. KEN: You tell them, baby.
(laughing).
♪ This will be an everlasting love ♪
♪ This will be the one.. ♪♪
ARETHA: Now, see, I know what Natalie's trying to do but
she doesn't have the ability or the equipment to do it.
♪ ♪
She got a pretty voice though.
Can you change the station?
I want to listen to something else.
KEN: Listen, sugar. Don't worry.
Everybody loves you.
ARETHA: I should be back in L. A. getting ready for that audition.
They know they have a singer,
but I want them to know that I can act, too.
KEN: You were born to play Bessie Smith.
I'll even run lines with you if you want to.
ARETHA: Maybe.
Ruth is getting together a list of some acting classes I could take.
♪ Baby ♪
♪ You're all I need ♪♪
ARETHA: Oh, Daddy. KEN: Come on.
CL: You've been here before.
We've done this before.
REPORTER: Reverend Franklin, we have some questions.
CL: I don't know why so many of you.
REPORTERS: Aretha, Aretha Franklin.
Ms. Franklin.
ARETHA: Remind me why I'm doing this again.
KEN: Because Aretha Franklin loves her father, sugar.
Come on.
REPORTERS: Ms. Franklin. Ms. Franklin.
CL: There's my baby. Hey, baby.
REPORTER: Reverend Franklin, your recent car accident,
will you give us your side of the story?
CL: Well, anybody who's ever been behind a wheel knows that accidents happen.
REPORTER: You were charged with drinking and driving, Reverend Franklin.
What kind of example are you setting?
CL: Oh, I expect to be cleared from those charges.
REPORTER: But Reverend Franklin,
the young woman that was in the car with you, was she your girlfriend?
CL: I would hope that you all would join me at my pastor's
anniversary celebration this coming summer.
I've carried New Bethel and Detroit a long, long way.
And I've said all I'm going to say on the subject.
REPORTER: Reverend? Ms. Franklin.
REPORTER 2: Are you going to attend the Grammy's seeing as
how you did not receive a nomination this year?
ARETHA: I'm not here to talk about the Grammy's but I'll let
you in on a little secret, I have recently accepted a
starring role in a major feature film.
(overlapping chatter).
KEN: What was that about, sugar?
ARETHA: Let's hope we get that movie.
GLYNN: Have a good day. WOMAN: Bye.
GLYNN: You're late.
ARETHA: Better to be late at heaven's gate than to arrive in hell on time.
(laughing).
GLYNN: Did you come up with that by yourself?
ARETHA: Maybe.
GLYNN: Are you ready to dive right in?
ARETHA: Yes. GLYNN: Yeah?
ARETHA: Yeah. GLYNN: So, tell me this.
Have you ever tried the trust exercise?
ARETHA: Maybe.
I mean it depends on who I'm with.
GLYNN: Oh, well, look. It's really easy.
All you have to do is turn away from me,
fall back into my arms.
But you have to trust that I'll catch you.
ARETHA: With all due respect, Mr. Glynn Turman,
I don't think so.
GLYNN: Come on, I got you. I promise.
You see as actors and artists we have to keep ourselves open
and vulnerable because trust is the most important thing we have.
ARETHA: You are going to have a lot of lawyers on your case if you let me fall.
GLYNN: Well, you know what, I trust you on that.
So, I won't let you fall.
Let's try it.
ARETHA: Okay. GLYNN: Yeah?
ARETHA: All right. GLYNN: You ready?
ARETHA: Mm‐hmm. GLYNN: One.
ARETHA: Mm‐hmm. GLYNN: Two.
ARETHA: Mm‐hmm. GLYNN: Three.
ARETHA: No. GLYNN: Okay.
Let's try it one more time.
It's okay.
I'm right here, partner in crime.
(laughing).
GLYNN: You ready? ARETHA: Mm‐hmm.
GLYNN: One, two, three.
(laughing).
GLYNN: It's okay.
ARETHA: I wasn't ready, it's my fault.
GLYNN: No, no, it's okay. Listen...
It's okay to be afraid, okay?
ARETHA: Mm‐hmm. GLYNN: All right.
ARETHA: Okay. GLYNN: Let's try it again.
Let's count together.
ARETHA: Okay, all right.
GLYNN: And a one. ARETHA: One.
GLYNN: Two. ARETHA: Two.
GLYNN: Three. ARETHA: Three.
GLYNN: How was that? ARETHA: Mm‐hmm.
(laughing).
GLYNN: Of course.
ARETHA: Bessie was a woman who's surrounded by men who are calling the shots.
I can relate to that.
GLYNN: You'd be perfect for the part.
ARETHA: Thank you for helping me prepare.
GLYNN: It's my pleasure, really.
Let's give it another go.
ARETHA: Okay.
"I'm not looking for a husband, you heard me.
I'm still young and I ain't done running around."
GLYNN: It's good.
But remember when Bessie is talking to those folks she
is fierce but she's also fragile, right.
ARETHA: But she's hiding it because she's tough.
GLYNN: True. But things didn't always go her way.
And sometimes she even made mistakes.
You see, you've got to play all of her angles,
keep your heart open like you do when you sing.
ARETHA: You think they're going to pick me for this part?
GLYNN: They better or they're going to be hearing from me.
(laughing).
GLYNN: The camera's going to love you, really.
♪ I was sittin' at home ♪♪
CAROLYN: You got a crush on your acting teacher.
ARETHA: I do not, I promise.
Glynn is a, a good coach.
He is a movie star who loves to share the craft.
And if I'm going to be a real actress, I need a real mentor.
CAROLYN: The man you already got is a good man, okay?
ARETHA: I, I'm not falling for my acting teacher, I promise.
CAROLYN: You audition yet?
ARETHA: Yeah, I'm waiting to hear back.
In the meantime, I'm going to take a few more acting lessons
and I wanted to lose a little weight.
CAROLYN: You look good, sis.
ARETHA: I mean we gotta look good, sound good, smile, dress good.
Can't go out with no makeup on.
(laughing).
It's some bullshit.
CAROLYN: I know. Can I get a witness.
ARETHA: What are you up to?
CAROLYN: I've been invited back in the studio.
ARETHA: On some background work?
CAROLYN: The lead vocals on a re‐record for Curtis Mayfield.
ARETHA: Oh, the Gentle Giant asked you to come in?
CAROLYN: Yeah, can you believe it?
Feels good to be singing leads for somebody at the top of his game.
He, he wrote the songs for that movie, that's what this is for.
ARETHA: For "Sparkle"?
CAROLYN: Yeah.
ARETHA: I thought it was done already.
CAROLYN: He's not happy with the sound,
thinks I can sing it better.
Oh, man, I think my solo career might finally be getting some traction.
ARETHA: Well, I'm happy for you, sis.
CAROLYN: Thanks. ARETHA: Good for you.
Well, come on, it's Hollywood and every season is swimsuit season.
(laughing).
♪ Hang on in there ♪
♪ Ya'll and let it roll ♪
♪ Oh, hang on in there now ♪
♪ Hang on in there ♪
♪ You got to do it together ♪♪
MAYFIELD (over phone): I'm glad we're figuring out a way to make this happen.
You, uh, finally gonna say yes?
ARETHA (over phone): Curtis, I wasn't playing hard to get.
I, I was actually busy.
MAYFIELD (over phone): You making a new album?
ARETHA: Oh, well, I was hoping to have a few film projects in the works but...
MAYFIELD (over phone): Yeah, I saw you were auditioning.
ARETHA: Let's just say that nothings quite come together yet.
MAYFIELD: Well, this project there's no doubt that the
Queen of Soul would make for a very welcome addition.
ARETHA: And I'm looking for a new producer so this
might give me an opportunity to try you out.
MAYFIELD (over phone): Two birds, one stone.
You talked it over with Carolyn?
ARETHA: Not yet but she'll understand.
MAYFIELD (over phone): Well, right on. Let's go.
ARETHA: All right. Bye, bye.
KEN: You didn't waste no time, did you?
I guess you want more money and fame, huh?
I saw you work really hard and you didn't get the Bessie Smith role.
ARETHA: Curtis says that "Sparkle" needs some real sparkle.
KEN: But he wanted Carolyn for the project.
ARETHA: Well, he asked me first and I was busy working on my new album.
KEN: That's your sister, how could you do that to her?
ARETHA: This is not about Carolyn but, yes, I know.
It could hurt her.
KEN: Okay, look...
You're the best woman I've ever known,
and I love you more than I've loved anything in my life.
But the way you're going about things,
I don't understand.
What are you willing to lose to gain the world?
You know, just it, it just feels...
It's like we're moving in two separate directions, honey.
ARETHA: Maybe it's for the best.
KEN: Well, may...
♪ People out there can understand ♪
♪ I'm givin' him somethin' that he can feel ♪♪
MAYFIELD: Okay.
That, that sounded really beautiful.
Let's do it again and this time we're going to do it with,
without the riffs over the vamp at the end.
ARETHA: That's just how I'm feeling it.
MAYFIELD (over speaker): Feels to me like you just giving some flash
instead of going deeper.
It's like you're holding back.
ARETHA: Curtis, I'm just hearing it different.
MAYFIELD (over speaker): Okay.
Let's just do another take where you just let loose and
go all out.
ARETHA: What we got is great already,
one more go isn't going to improve on it.
MAYFIELD: You know, folks say these days that
Ms. Franklin only does two takes.
I can't believe that to be true.
MAYFIELD (over speaker): You move people.
You, you go places they can't.
You take the heaviness of life and you make it beautiful.
We need that.
ARETHA: Okay.
MAYFIELD (over speaker): All right.
ARETHA: Let's try it again.
MAYFIELD: All right.
MAN: All right, standby for playback.
♪ ♪
♪ Shoo doo ♪
♪ Shooo dooo ♪
♪ Shoo doo ♪
♪ Shoo doo ooo ooo ♪
♪ Shoo doo ♪
♪ Ah, shoo doo doo ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Many say that I'm too young ♪
♪ To let you know just where ♪
♪ To let you know just where I'm coming from ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ But you will see that it's just a matter ♪
♪ My love will surely ♪
♪ My love will surely make you mine ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Living in a world of ghetto life ♪
♪ Everybody around seems so uptight ♪
♪ But nothing's wrong ♪
♪ It's alright ♪
♪ My man, my man ♪
♪ I like the kinds of ways we have our fun ♪
♪ His loving way sends me on and on ♪
♪ Yea hey with my man ♪
♪ People out there can understand ♪
♪ I'm givin' him something he can feel ♪
♪ Ah, ah, oh ♪
♪ To let you know my love is real ♪
♪ Hey, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah ♪
♪ I'm givin' him something he can feel ♪
♪ Yes I am baby ♪
♪ To let you know ♪
♪ My love is real ♪
♪ Ooo‐oo‐oo ♪
♪ I'm givin' him somethin' he can feel ♪♪
MAN: Momma keep trying to make me do it,
I don't want to.
CECIL: Glad you could make it home.
ARETHA: It's nice to spend some time with family.
CECIL: How are you and Carolyn?
ARETHA: I tried to call but she didn't answer.
I guess she's not speaking to me.
CECIL: With good reason, seems like.
CL: Come on.
(cheering and applause).
MAN: Happy birthday. MAN 2: Happy birthday!
(overlapping chatter).
MAN: I'm graduating this year.
CL: Yes, sir, yes sir, thank you so much.
Yes, sir.
Isn't that nice?
Oh, look at this.
Look at that.
♪ This is the house that Jack built, ya'll ♪
♪ Remember this house ♪
♪ This was the land that he worked by hand ♪
♪ It was the dream of an upright man ♪
♪ There was the room that was filled with love ♪
♪ It was a love that I was proud of ♪
♪ This was a life of a love that he planned ♪
♪ On the love, the same old love ♪
♪ In the house that Jack built ♪
♪ The house that Jack built ♪
♪ Remember this house ♪
♪ Please forgive me ♪
♪ There was the fence that held our love ♪
♪ Yes it was ♪
♪ That was the gate that he walked out of ♪
♪ This is the heart that is turned to stone ♪
♪ Yes it was ♪
♪ This was the house, but it ain't no home ♪
♪ This is the love that I once had ♪
♪ In a dream that I thought was love ♪
♪ In the house that Jack built ♪
♪ The house that Jack built ♪
♪ I'm gon' remember this house ♪
♪ Oh, what's the use in crying? ♪
♪ You know I brought it on myself ♪
♪ There's no denying ♪
♪ But it seems awful funny ♪
♪ That I didn't understand ♪♪
BIG MOMMA: Come on, Carolyn, don't be a wallflower.
CAROLYN: No thanks, Big Mamma.
I'm fine where I'm at.
ERMA: Carolyn ain't been happy since Re stole her "Sparkle".
CL: Oh, come on. Stop all that nonsense.
Come on, baby.
CAROLYN: No, Daddy. It's true.
Re when and took the last chance I had at making something of myself.
BIG MOMMA: Oh, come on now.
It's my birthday and I don't want this nonsense on my special day.
Aretha, go over there an apologize to your sister.
ARETHA: For what?
Curtis asked me to sing it first and I just did it when my schedule cleared up.
ERMA: You mean when you didn't get the part in the movie?
CAROLYN: You went and stole my songs!
Oh, but you got yourself a hit and another Grammy nomination.
I hope you're happy.
BIG MOMMA: Okay, girls, that's water under the bridge.
CAROLYN: I had a chance to revive my career.
ARETHA: He wanted the best singer.
EVERYONE: Carolyn, Carolyn!
CAROLYN: I should run this down your throat.
ARETHA: Go on and try.
(yelling).
CAROLYN: How could you do a thing like that to me?
BIG MOMMA: Come on, quit it. Both of you.
CL: Listen to your grandmother, now.
CECIL: Carolyn, let it go.
CAROLYN: It was my shot and you stole it from me!
CL: Carolyn! ERMA: Daddy!
You just going to keep on taking her side like that?
CAROLYN: Oh, you and Daddy, you're two of a kind.
You think you're so blessed to be Daddy's favorite.
But you better watch how you step;
cause you're going to end up just like him.
ERMA: Oh, come on, stop it.
REPORTER (over TV): The 19th annual Grammy awards welcomes the
Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin.
Ms. Franklin, how does it feel to be here tonight?
ARETHA (over TV): It feels absolutely wonderful.
I'm so glad to be here with my brother Cecil and my son.
REPORTER (over TV): And there's Glynn Turman,
recent start of the hit film, Cooley High.
Ms. Franklin, could we get a picture with you and Mr. Turman?
ARETHA (over TV): Well, sure.
(overlapping chatter).
(flash bulbs pop)
♪ ♪
REPORTER: Ms. Franklin, before we let you go a big
congratulations for Sparkle.
Is your family watching tonight from Detroit?
ARETHA: They sure are. I love you, Daddy.
ERMA: Hey!
CL: Hey, hey, hey, come on in.
ERMA: Did I miss it?
CL: No, you just made it, come on.
BIG MOMMA: Now, how come she didn't go down the red carpet
with that Glynn Turman fellow?
ERMA: Big Ma, they taking it slow.
They don't need everybody in they business.
Hey, Daddy. Do you want her to win?
CAROLYN: On the fence.
BIG MOMMA: Oh, now, none of that.
CL: Quiet down, now. Here it is.
ERMA: Just joking, Big Momma.
(applause).
♪ I think you'll understand ♪
♪ I'm givin' him something he can feel ♪♪
ANNOUNCER (over TV): Aretha might win it, you know, she's got ten of them
Wow! "Something He Can Feel".
BIG MOMMA: Oh, look how pretty she looks.
Doesn't she look pretty?
CL: Hush now, quiet.
PRESENTER (over TV): And the winner is...
CL: Aretha Franklin! CAROLYN: Daddy.
PRESENTER (over TV): Natalie Cole, "Sophisticated Lady".
CL: Oh. ERMA: Now, that's some shit.
CAROLYN: Oh, my God.
CL: You got robbed, baby girl, you got robbed.
CAROLYN: Hers was the best song.
BIG MOMMA: And it was sung the best.
She should have won.
CAROLYN: How come I'm mad that she didn't win?
BIG MOMMA: Because she's your sister and I know she can be
difficult at sometimes but she still loves you
and you still love her.
(applause).
♪ ♪
GLYNN: There you are.
Where's your family?
ARETHA: I told them they didn't have to stay.
GLYNN: Well, you know, I'm proud to be with you,
even if I'm just your official shoulder to cry on.
ARETHA: Everything I did to get this,
I lost to some folks who can't even sing nearly as good as me.
I mean they look good; I give them that.
But they don't have anything else.
My label doesn't support me because if they did I,
I would have won.
And...
GLYNN: What?
ARETHA: All that work.
I worked like a dog and for what?
Nothing.
All they do is take me for granted.
GLYNN: Listen, you're beautiful. You know that?
Your songs are beautiful.
Yeah, some shit went down tonight but don't let that make you doubt yourself.
ARETHA: Jerry left Atlantic and I still have two years left.
I don't think I have anything else to give.
I'm done.
GLYNN: I hear you.
And, you know, I can't count how many times this showbiz
thing has knocked me down and counted me out.
But then I get up, I go for another round, and I win.
ARETHA: Yeah.
You know, I heard someone say that Aretha Franklin is a has been.
GLYNN: No, no, no they didn't.
You tell me who said that and I'm going to go talk to them.
No, I'm just going to have some words with them, talk to them.
ARETHA: Come on, stop it, come on.
GLYNN: You see, there's your smile.
You see, the world is full of naysayers.
I've got to remind them that the Queen,
in addition to her beauty,
possesses talent, tenacity, and longevity.
I've got to remind them that though they can't sing their way
out of a paper bag, Ms. Franklin can sing circles around them in her sleep.
ARETHA: Well, she can.
GLYNN: Without even trying, okay.
Now, what do you say you and I we go up there and we say hey to some folks?
ARETHA: Sounds like a plan.
GLYNN: Mm‐hmm. Madame.
CLIVE: Enjoy yourself tonight.
MAN: I will, thank you.
GLYNN: Clive Davis.
How you doing, man?
CLIVE: Oh, good to see you, Glynn.
It's always great to see you, Ms. Franklin.
GLYNN: I'll be back in a bit.
CLIVE: Take care.
ARETHA: Fun night, huh?
Oh, and congratulations on your new launch of Arista Records.
CLIVE: We have had a good first few years.
You are a legend;
one Grammy more or less won't change that.
You and your music are going to live forever, I promise you.
ARETHA: I've heard how much you love the artists.
CLIVE: They are the reason I get out of bed every day.
Ms. Franklin, I hope our paths cross again.
Enjoy yourself.
(piano).
BIG MOMMA: Glynn is at the altar and he looks very handsome.
CAROLYN: Ooh, and gathered to witness you walk down the aisle,
you've got everybody who's anybody.
ERMA: Re, they're saying this is the most exciting wedding of the year, girl.
ARETHA: But now I'm nervous.
BIG MOMMA: Oh, you should be because marriage is a serious business.
CAROLYN: Well, and lucky you got a deal on the pastor marrying you.
ARETHA: Daddy says the deacon wanted to charge us double for using the church.
CAROLYN: What!
BIG MOMMA: Oh Lord, your first marriage was in Ohio
with the Justice of the Peace.
ERMA: Oh, Daddy had a fit.
CAROLYN: Come on, ya'll.
Keep it on the good foot, else Re's going to change her mind and jet.
ERMA: Re ain't going nowhere because Glynn Turman is fine.
ARETHA: He is a beautiful man and I love him.
I might not be the easiest person to be with,
but he lets me lean on him and I let him lean on me.
BIG MOMMA: And that love you have for him will carry you through.
ARETHA: I'm sorry.
I was wrong for what I did to you.
CAROLYN: It's nothing.
It's like Big Ma said, it's water under the bridge.
ARETHA: No, no.
You deserve an apology and I need to give it.
I'm sorry, really, I am.
CAROLYN: I hated you for it, but not anymore.
ARETHA: Now, go on, we not supposed to cry until after the wedding.
CAROLYN: Right, right. ERMA: That's our music.
BIG MOMMA: Oh, okay. Congratulations.
I love you.
ARETHA: I love you.
BIG MOMMA: You look beautiful.
CL: Ooh, ooh.
You are sure you don't want me to walk you down the aisle?
You're okay with Cecil.
ARETHA: Daddy, you can't do everything.
How you going to walk me down the aisle and marry us?
You all right?
CL: It's a blessed, blessed day.
♪ Isn't she precious? ♪
♪ Less than one minute old ♪
♪ I never thought through love would be ♪♪
CECIL: You look beautiful, sis. ARETHA: Thank you.
♪ But isn't she lovely made from love? ♪♪
CL: Ahh.
DOCTOR: Yeah, your father has polyps on his vocal cords.
Typically, they're caused by overuse of the voice.
CL: Too much preaching, doc.
ARETHA: What's the proper course of treatment?
DOCTOR: Vocal rest is critical to the healing process.
ARETHA: Well, for how long?
DOCTOR: Couple of months.
CL: I've got my pastor's anniversary coming up in June,
that's two months from now.
DOCTOR: Well, you might want to get a substitute.
CL: I have celebrated and been celebrated every year at
New Bethel since 1946, rain or shine.
Now, obviously you don't know what you're talking about
because it's absolutely ridiculous to think that
I'm going to sit it out.
ARETHA: The congregation is expecting him to preach.
DOCTOR: You need rest.
And real healing will require lifestyle changes,
you need to stop smoking and drinking.
CL: Ya'll making more of this than it really is.
DOCTOR: And the way things look, you've been drinking way too much.
CL: Whiskey warms my vocal cords.
DOCTOR: Mm‐hmm.
Reverend Franklin,
you could potentially lose your voice,
permanently.
I hope you'll take my advice.
CL: This'll clear up in no time, doc.
ARETHA: Daddy, the doctor knows what he's talking about.
CL: I'm on top of my game, baby.
They don't call me the Million Dollar Voice for nothing.
ARETHA: Just promise me that you are going to get a little rest.
Promise me.
CL: Doc told me not to talk.
(laughing).
JERRY: Oh, thank you so much.
ARETHA: Thanks for coming.
JERRY: Absolutely.
ARETHA: Checking up on me?
JERRY: No, no.
I was in town, in town on business.
And, you know, had a venue I had to look at, so.
ARETHA: Checking up on me.
JERRY: All right. So, how's, how's your dad doing?
ARETHA: Headstrong as always.
JERRY: And how's Glynn doing?
Good? He's good?
ARETHA: I finally found my Mr. Right.
JERRY: Well deserved.
ARETHA: I auditioned for that Blues Brother's film and got the part.
JERRY: I heard. Dreams come true, huh?
ARETHA: I mean it's a small cameo part but it, yeah, it's exciting.
JERRY: Is everything okay?
ARETHA: Well, my contract with Atlantic is up in about a year.
JERRY: Do you got anybody in your corner?
ARETHA: Not like you.
You remember when we would listen to a recording and you
would say feels good today but let's see how it feels in the morning?
JERRY: Yeah, sure.
ARETHA: Nothing I'm recording is passing that test.
JERRY: So, what are you going to do?
ARETHA: Think I'm gonna do something new.
JERRY: You going to let me in on your secret?
ARETHA: It's not a secret.
Ruth is booking me a gig head lining in Las Vegas.
JERRY: Interesting.
ARETHA: And I will be singing a show full of disco songs.
(Jerry grunts)
Don't you say it.
Do not say I told you so.
JERRY: I'm not.
ARETHA: Are you laughing at me?
JERRY: I'm not laughing at you, I.
ARETHA: You're laughing at me. You think I sold out?
JERRY: No, absolutely not.
No, no, no, you're an artist.
Okay, you're experimenting.
You're, you're pushing yourself like you always do.
You know, if you weren't afraid to try new things,
you'd still be singing gospel music in a church.
You know, you change with the times,
but you always find a way to remain true to yourself.
That's part of your brilliance.
You know, I guess I'm going to have to find a new nickname for
you because Our Lady of Mysterious Sorrows
doesn't really apply anymore because you're happy.
ARETHA: Yeah. JERRY: Yeah.
ARETHA: I'll do it then.
JERRY: Yeah, do it. Good, yes.
Just, just keep going. Okay?
ARETHA: Yeah.
JERRY: Is that a deal, Ms. Franklin?
ARETHA: That is a deal, Mr. Wexler.
JERRY: All right, let's celebrate with some of this world‐famous cake.
ARETHA: Well, I hope you like it.
It's my, my grandmamma's recipe.
JERRY: Mmm, woah, that's really good.
What store did this come from?
ARETHA: Now, you know that it was not a store bought.
JERRY: What store did your grandmother get it at?
I'm kidding.
♪ ♪
ANNOUNCER (over PA): Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together.
The Queen of Soul.
(cheering and applause).
GLYNN: That was really good, so good...
CECIL: Ooh. you've got a crowd out there who loves you.
GLYNN: And you look good. CECIL: Mm‐hmm.
GLYNN: You look like you're having fun.
ARETHA: I am. I feel good.
CECIL: Nice.
GLYNN: Right on.
♪ ♪
(street noise).
♪ ♪
(crying).
♪ ♪
ANNOUNCER (over PA): Are you all ready for some more?
I can't hear you.
Are you ready for some more?
Well, then give it up for your Queen of Soul,
Aretha Franklin.
(cheering and applause).
CL: Hm.
Yea.
Nice.
Okay.
♪ ♪
(grunting).
♪ ♪
♪ Yea ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Bum, bum, bum, boy ♪
♪ Why don't I shake it ♪
♪ Don't get mad and get flaky ♪
♪ 'Cause this dance you don't know ♪
♪ Let Aretha show you how it goes ♪
♪ So just spread your feet out ♪
♪ Move your hands all about ♪
♪ Bend over, big rover ♪
♪ We're gonna tear the joint up ♪
♪ And we're gonna jump ♪
♪ We're gonna shake a little fun ♪
♪ You're doin' fine ♪
♪ Hey baby you're right on time ♪
♪ There's a bump ♪
♪ And I hope your mama don't call ♪
♪ Jump ♪♪
GLYNN: Man, you've got to give it to her.
She doesn't give up.
CECIL: Amen, brother, right here.
♪ 'Cause your movement just sets me free ♪♪
♪ ♪
(glass breaking).
CL: Who's there?
♪ Love the way you party hard now ♪
♪ I don't want nothin' to tear us apart ♪
♪ Yea you're doin' fine, yea ♪
♪ Oh, my baby 'bout to shake a leg ♪
♪ And there's one thing I need to know ♪
♪ If you love me baby tell me so ♪
♪ Hey and then we're gonna jump ♪
♪ We're gonna shake a little fun ♪
♪ You're doin' fine ♪
♪ Baby you're right on time ♪
♪ There's a bump ♪
♪ And I hope my daddy don't call ♪
♪ Ooo, ooo, ooo ♪
♪ We're gonna keep it in the groove ♪
♪ Yea ♪
♪ Do it baby, do it baby ♪
♪ Ooo ♪
♪ Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, boy ♪
♪ Hey, ey, ey ♪♪
(gunshots).
(grunts).
♪ Jump up, jump up, jumpin', jump, jump, jumpin' ♪
♪ Jumpin', jumpin' ♪♪
(cheering and applause).
CROWD: Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha!
(music plays through credits).
Captioned by Cotter Media Group.