
Released
IMDb
In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
Keywords
rhythm and blues (r&b)
battle of the bands
1960s
Casts

Robert Townsend
Duck

Michael Wright
Eddie

Leon
J.T.

Harry Lennix
Dresser

Tico Wells
Choirboy

Diahann Carroll
Eleanor Potter

Harold Nicholas
Sarge

John Canada Terrell
Michael 'Flash' Turner
Chuck Patterson
Jimmy Potter

Hawthorne James
Big Red
Roy Fegan
Bird

Troy Byer
Baby Doll

Carla Brothers
Tanya Sawyer

Deborah Lacey
Rose

Theresa Randle
Brenda

John Witherspoon
Wild Rudy

Bobby McGee
Leon

O.L. Duke
Monroe

Kasi Lemmons
Cookie

Eugene Robert Glazer
David Green
Timmie Rogers
Buddy Lewis

Tommy Redmond Hicks
Pastor Blake
Donnie Simpson
Donnie Simpson

Norma Donaldson
Mrs. Sawyer

Roger Rose
The Five Horsemen
James Anderson
Big Red's Guys

Arnold Johnson
Mr. Matthews
Monique Mannen
Sandra Tillman

Paul Benjamin
Mr. King

Phyllis Applegate
Myra Stone

David McKnight
Pastor Stone

Veronica Redd
Mrs. Matthews
Crews

Keenen Ivory Wayans
Writer

Robert Townsend
Director

Robert Townsend
Writer
John Lemons
Costumer

Ruth E. Carter
Costume Design
Bill Dill
Director of Photography

Wynn Thomas
Production Design

Stanley Clarke
Original Music Composer
Susan Raney
Set Decoration
Samara Schaffer
Set Decoration
Loretha C. Jones
Producer

Robert Townsend
Producer
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