Otis Williams

Archival music performances and contemporary interviews cover some of the history of Motown Records and Productions.

The Temptations–Get Ready! The Definitive Performances features for the first time on DVD Motown’s greatest vocal group in 16 classic full-length performances – 60 minutes of classic archival performances from television and film appearances captured during Motown’s golden era, issued with the full cooperation of the original Temptations and their estates. Continuing in the tradition of the Marvin Gaye–The Real Thing In Performance 1964-1981 – another DVD first – released earlier this year, the Temptations DVD includes a wealth of classic performances with re-mastered sound and video, plus audio-only bonus feature The Temptations in the Motown Studios: 15 original a cappella lead and backing vocal tracks to their greatest hits. Interspersed between the performances, only surviving original member Otis Williams talks about each song and recounts special moments in the history of the group, in a new interview filmed especially for this DVD.

In 1967 Tammi Terrell teamed up with Marvin Gaye to record a series of classic romantic hits that remain the gold standard for romantic duets. Ironically, Tammi’s actual love life was not nearly as perfect as the romance in her songs, and included abusive relationships with both James Brown and David Ruffin. And the magic of her career ended abruptly when she collapsed on stage from a brain tumor while singing with Marvin in the fall of 1967. But she refused to give in to her fate.

A 1965 live concert recording featuring Dusty Springfield, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, and the Temptations.

Legendary Motown group the Temptations perform 20 of their hits at Harrah's in Atlantic City. This version of the group includes original members Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, along with newer members Ron Tyson, Dennis Edwards, and Richard Street. The still lively quintet strut their stuff while belting out many of their popular favorites, including {&"My Girl,"} {&"Just My Imagination,"} {&"Ain't to Proud to Beg,"} {&"The Way You Do the Things You Do,"} and many more. The 60-minute performance took place in 1983 and was re-released in 1994.

Television special taped before a live studio audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983, and broadcast on NBC on May 16. Highlights include Michael Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean", a Temptations/Four Tops "battle of the bands", Marvin Gaye's inspired speech about black music history and his memorable performance of "What's Going On", and a Jackson 5 reunion. This performance is noted for Michael Jackson debuting his signature moonwalk.

In the 1960s, while America was in the throes of race riots, five people from diverse backgrounds came together in Philadelphia to create a new sound: Philly Soul. Its home, Sigma Sound Studio, was a place that drew Chubby Checker, The O'Jays, Stevie Wonder and many more. This film tells its amazing story.

Small time crooksters Nick and Charlie have an elaborate plan to rob an exclusive jewelers store. Using a variety of disguises and posing as rich old men and women they begin the set-up, but then Nick falls for the owner of a neighboring antique store and things get a little complicated.

A television special starring the vocal group The Temptations.

A concert film highlighted by performances from Marvin Gaye, Jerry Butler, and Roberta Flack.

TCB is a 1968 television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter–Ed Friendly Productions of Laugh-In fame. The special is a musical revue starring Motown's two most popular groups at the time, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations. Containing a combination of showtunes, specially prepared numbers, and popular Motown hits, the special was taped before a live studio audience in September 1968 and originally broadcast December 9, 1968 on NBC, sponsored by the Timex watch corporation. The title of the program uses a then-popular acronym, "TCB", which stands for "Taking Care of Business".

G.I.T. on Broadway was a 1969 television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter-Ed Friendly Productions. The special, a follow-up to 1968's successful TCB program, was a musical revue starring Motown's two most popular groups at the time, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations. Containing primarily Broadway showtunes, the special was taped before a live studio audience in mid-1969 and originally broadcast November 12, 1969 on NBC. Like TCB, the title of the program was derived from an acronym, this one standing for "Gettin' It Together". A soundtrack album for the special, titled On Broadway, was issued the same month the program aired. Though there were no singles released from this album in the states, "The Rhythm of Life" did become a Top 20 hit for the ensemble in Australia. Two months after its release, Diana Ross left The Supremes to start a solo career.

The remarkable story of the legendary Motown Records is told through exclusive interviews with the label’s visionary founder, Berry Gordy, and many of its superstar artists and creative figures, as well as rare performances and behind-the-scenes footage unearthed from Motown’s vaults and Gordy’s personal archives.

Following a childhood tragedy, Dewey Cox follows a long and winding road to music stardom. Dewey perseveres through changing musical styles, an addiction to nearly every drug known and bouts of uncontrollable rage.

Ed Sullivan broke barriers by booking Black artists on his Sunday night variety show. This documentary spotlights the TV pioneer's legacy of equality.

Unknown histories take center stage as the hitmakers themselves - from ABBA to T-Pain - explore dimensions of pop music you never knew existed.

Sherri Shepherd, actress, comic, and Emmy Award-winning longtime co-host of "The View", appears before a live audience with a daily dose of pop culture, comedy, conversations, and daytime talk staples, including celebrity and human interest interviews.

Talk show from NBC