03x03 - Aretha: Do Right Woman

[bunniefuu]

ARETHA: Previously on Genius...

I'm gonna call it
the Freedom March.

We're gonna make change,
'cause we're gonna demand it.

It'll be the biggest
freedom march in history.

MAN: Although a man like Dr. King

really should have
his own march.

I mean,
that will really get a turnout.

You're a wunderkind,

-a wonder child.
-CLARENCE: We go back out

on the road,
I'm gonna take you with me.

She ain't old enough to travel
on the gospel circuit.

I'm here with my daughter,
Aretha Louise.

She will come up on this stage
and sing for the very first time

on this gospel circuit.

-Try this. It's sweet.
-[GAGS]

Want to dance?

ARETHA:
My tummy's been feeling sick,

and my monthly hasn't come.

-Well, how long has it been?
-Four months.

CLARENCE:
The road is a wild place, Mama.

I wanted her to stay home.

This is not gonna stop you

from what you were meant to do.

You think you can manage her
better than me?

We can both manage her, Ted.

-She's going places.
-MAN: The people of Chicago

and the people of the world
hereby crown you...

-the Queen of Soul!
-[CHEERING]

-[CHEERING, SHOUTING]
-PEOPLE IN CROWD: Aretha!

WOMAN:
Miss Franklin? Miss Franklin?

Your music has saved my life.

Well, thank you so much
for coming to my show.

Would you like me
to sign anything for you?

Oh, no. Thank you.

It's enough
just to shake your hand.

You're so sweet.
Thank you so much.

MAN: Miss Franklin, Miss Franklin,
can you sign my album?

-OFFICER: Back it up.
-Miss Franklin!

-Back up!
-I didn't do nothing!

-What are you doing, man?
-ARETHA: That's not necessary.

That's not nece...
That's not necessary!

Come on! Come on!

[GRUNTS]

That isn't ne...

What's gonna happen to him?

-[BABY CLARENCE CRYING]
-Shh. I'm right here.

I'm right here, baby.

-[BABY CRYING]
-Settle down.

Are you hungry?

No? [SCOFFS]

Big Mama, he won't stop crying.

Well, did you check his diaper?

Um...

I'm not a good mother, am I?

Nah, you're good.
You're beautiful.

-Wonderful.
-[DOORBELL RINGS]

CLARENCE: He's here.

Would you guys please be quiet?
I'm trying to read.

CLARENCE: Is that who I think it is
out there?

[CLARENCE LAUGHING]

[SHOUTS JOYFULLY]

-Yes, indeed, yes, indeed!
-Yes, sir!

-Brother Cleveland!
-All the way from Chicago.

Oh...

Come on in here.
This is my mother here,

-Miss Rachel.
-Oh, Miss Rachel.

-Miss Rachel.
-Afternoon, ma'am.

-Such a pleasure to meet you.
-Nice to meet you, too.

Yes, yes, yes.

-[BABY CRYING]
-Oh, and this young lady

must be Little Re.

Uh-huh. Yeah,
I'd heard a lot about you.

-That's my grandbaby, Clarence.
-Uh-huh.

Oh, no, sweetheart,
I don't have a knack for that.

CLARENCE: Mama, Reverend James

is gonna be
our new choir director.

-Oh.
-Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm.

[SOFTLY] And, uh, Mama,
I just wanted to...

He ain't got nowhere to stay.
He gonna be staying with us

-for a little while.
-He gonna be staying with us?

Until he finds a place.

I hear C.L. has a little star in you.

I haven't played too much
since having the baby.

Well, it's time
to start playing again.

-ERMA: I'm hungry.
-CECIL: Me too.

CAROLYN: Me three.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

[BABY CLARENCE CRYING]

NEWSMAN: A 10:00 p.m.
to 6:00 a.m. curfew

is clamped on fully one-third of Newark,

-[TIRES SCREECHING]
-New Jersey, a state under siege.

-[g*nshots]
-ARETHA: I'm worried, Daddy.

It's calm right here
in New York right now, but...

[SIRENS WAILING]

it's only a matter of time
before the madness comes here,

-and to Detroit, too.
-Some of the young people

in the congregation are
especially agitated.

You know, I preach peace,

but if the people want to riot,
they're gonna riot.

And if things get out of hand,

-I got my g*n. [CHUCKLES]
-Please don't say that,

especially around the kids.

Well, I'll keep everybody safe, Re.
You take care of yourself.

Okay.

Bye, Daddy.

[SETS GLASS DOWN]

[TV NEWSMAN CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

Uh-uh.

They put a crown on my head,
and you punched me in my face.

Things got out of hand,
for both of us.

I'm sorry. I'm cleaning up my act.

Well, until you can prove that,
you can keep sleeping on the couch.

-Come on, now, baby...
-Have you lost your mind?

Look, don't let that queen stuff
get to your head.

I'm gonna let that queen thing
go wherever I want it to.

I'm tired of sitting on this couch.

ARETHA: Shh. Dr. King is
on the Bachman show.

NEWSMAN: A lot of us are looking
at these images on TV

of people, uh, Negroes,
fighting the police,

and wondering how is this
gonna make things better?

Well, what we don't see
on our TVs

is how the fighting started.

If a peaceful person
has v*olence inflicted upon him,

unfortunately,
v*olence is often the result.

I remember the first time
he came to preach at my daddy's church.

NEWSMAN: ...in the power of nonviolence.

DR. KING: I believe that physical force

is best met
with the power of the soul.

I would ask people of all races
to ask themselves,

"How can I help,

"and how can I be of service?"

-[APPLAUSE, MUSIC]
-He's right.

-I want to be of service.
-[LAUGHS]

You're gonna be an activist now?

How are you gonna fit that
into your busy schedule?

How I fit it in my schedule
ain't your business.

I'm gonna find something to do.

I love you

I love you

I love you, too

Baby, won't you call me

The moment

You get there...

[PIANO STOPS]

You liking it?

It's too easy.

Uh, let... let me
call you back, okay?

-Thank you. Uh-huh.
-There's no longing or pain.

People are fighting and dying
out there, and I don't feel

none of that in this.

Maybe that's just 'cause
you're holding back.

Aretha, you got to put
some of you in there.

I-I think I can help.

Listen to this.

[PLAYING MID-TEMPO, JAZZY MELODY]

[DRUMBEAT PLAYING]

[PERCUSSIONS JOIN]

[MUSIC PAUSES]

[MUSIC RESUMES]

-Stop.
-[MUSIC STOPS]

RUTH: Thank you, fellas. Thank you.

Hey. Hey, hey.
What's going on with you?

-You watch the news?
-Yeah.

What's on the news doesn't
stop me from doing my job.

You see Dr. King on the...
the Bachman show?

-Yeah.
-I want to go on there.

Sing something.

[SIGHS] He's gonna want
an interview, hmm?

I'll do it.

Could be good to...

"lend my voice."

-Right?
-Sure. Yeah. Yeah.

WEXLER: Put down whatever
you're drinking.

It is time for champagne.

What are we celebrating?

Baby I Love You just went
number one on the R&B charts.

[CHEERS AND LAUGHTER]

Thank you, but I don't feel
very much like a party.

ARETHA: The world's
falling apart over there.

-What?
-ERMA: Aretha.

WEXLER: Miss Franklin?

[DISTORTED CLAMORING]

[INDISTINCT SHOUTS]

Monday, Monday

Bah, da, bah, da-da-da

So good to me

Bah, da, bah, da-da-da

Monday morning

It was all

I hoped it would be...

Excuse me. Now, what does
a brother have to do to get

a beautiful woman like you
to sign right here?

-You need to tell me what I'm signing.
-[CHUCKLES]

-Can I at least tell you my name first?
-Mmm-hmm.

-I'm Nat.
-Like the rebel.

Smart and beautiful.
Okay, I see.

Uh, what are you canvassing for?

Well, I'm working
to establish a new chapter

of Dr. King's Operation Breadbasket
here in New York City.

He was a guest at my family's house
when I was younger.

-You're Aretha Franklin.
-Shh.

-[LAUGHS]
-Don't tell everybody.

What is the Queen of Soul
doing out here?

[SIGHS] Uh...

getting a breath of fresh air.

Hoping to find a way
to make a difference.

Maybe I can help you
hand out some flyers.

Absolutely. Here you go.

-Uh, what should I say?
-Just speak from the heart.

Here you go.

All right. Absolutely, sir.

There you go.
There you go, buddy.

-There you go.
-ARETHA: Uh...

NAT: There you go.

-Getting the hang of it.
-Oh, come on.

NAT: Everybody's voice matters.

-There you go.
-Hello. Would you like to take a flyer?

-Have a good day. Yeah.
-Thank you so much.

Hey. We could use everyone's help.
Thanks for coming by.

Any help we can get
is appreciated. Thank you.

Here you go. Flyer.

There you go. Look at you.

-[CHUCKLES]
-Hi, sir. Would you take a flyer?

-Thank you so much.
-WEXLER: Thought I'd find you here.

-We need to get going. All right?
-NAT: Whoa, whoa, whoa,

whoa, whoa, whoa.
You know this guy?

Jerry Wexler, this is Nat.
Nat, this is...

This is the guy who's got a studio full
of musicians waiting on her.

It was very nice to meet you.

Would you excuse us, please?

Would you excuse us?

-[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
-[SIGHS]

I can't wait to tell everyone
I met the most beautiful woman,

and it ended up
being Aretha Franklin.

[CHUCKLES] It was nice to meet you.

[KISSES]

Pleasure was mine.

We really do need to get going.

Feels like the world is ending,
and I just can't sit by and watch.

-So you hand out flyers?
-It's something.

It is. It's honorable work.

But right now, we need you
in the studio, focused.

You're right.

I am?

I need to go
where I can reach the most people.

[CALL ME BY ARETHA FRANKLIN
PLAYING]

I love you

And I love you

And I love you, too

Baby, will you call me

The moment you get there?

Hey, baby

Mmm-hmm

I know

I know, I know, I know

We've got to part

Baby, baby, baby, baby

Baby, baby

It really doesn't hurt me
that bad

Yeah

Because you're taking me
with you

I'm keeping you right-a here
in my heart

It's all because I love you

I love you

[PLAYING JAZZY MELODY ON PIANO]

Yeah, darling. You see how
I'm putting grease on them chords?

I see. I see.

You see, I take the sound in
through my ear

and let it flow
throughout my whole body.

Yeah.

I let it work me.

Put my back into it,

and I dig in.

Yes. Yeah.

You got to go head-to-head
with these keys.

-See me rassling with it?
-I see.

Uh-huh. Here we go.

Yeah, now we feeling it.

Hmm.

-[ENDING CHORD PLAYS]
-[EXHALES]

[BOTH LAUGHING]

[APPLAUDS]

Thank you, my darling.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Which music you like better?
Gospel or pop?

Do I got to choose?

You know, gospel folks
think that pop is sinful.

My daddy likes
all types of music.

Yeah, there ain't many preachers
like your daddy.

[PLAYS SHORT MELODY]

I want you to come out
on the road with us this summer.

On the gospel circuit?

We could be friends.

I didn't have a friend last time.

Maybe.

See what you got with the keys.

[plays note]

-JAMES: Mmm-hmm.
-[PLAYING JAZZY MELODY]

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

BACHMAN: A round of applause for
Ms. Aretha Franklin, everybody.

We'll return with more
of the Alan Bachman Show.

You were great. Want me
to go back out there with you?

-No.
-You wanted to do this.

But that doesn't make it any easier.

Look, you'll be fine.

He'll want to hear
about the new record,

and then he'll ask you some
softball questions about the movement.

-What was I thinking?
-Look,

just say whatever's
on your mind, and then,

if that doesn't work,
talk about the new record.

Need a little help?

No. I need to stay focused.

You got this.

BACHMAN: Let's welcome back
the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Thank you.

That was wonderful, Aretha.

They named you
the Queen of Soul.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

-Did they give you a crown?
-They did, Alan, but I only wear it

-on official state business. [CHUCKLES]
-[CHUCKLES]

Uh, you've been performing
a lot of sold-out shows.

You must be making
a lot of money.

-Oh, a lady never tells.
-[LAUGHS]

Things are getting pretty hot
in your hometown of Detroit,

a-and I'm not just talking
about the weather.

There have been a lot of riots
across the country this summer,

and some people are saying
that Detroit is next.

Well, I hope not.

Some people think that things
are better for the n*gro now

than they've been,
let's say, a few years ago.

Can you explain the reason
for the riots?

Well, what I wanted to say
is that I agree with Dr. King.

I think that now is a time
for love and healing.

We've heard a lot
from Dr. King these days,

and your music has certainly
touched a lot of people.

You've sold millions of records.

Do you feel pressure,

as a successful singer,

to do something
about what's going on?

Not pressure.

Opportunity.

I could do more,
which is exactly what I'm planning to do.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

NEWSMAN: Four days of rioting,

looting and arson
rocked the city of Detroit.

In the worst...

-ARETHA: Daddy, is everybody okay?
-CLARENCE: We're okay.

ARETHA: How's the church?

CLARENCE: The worst is over, but come home
as soon as you can.

ARETHA: I'm flying in tonight.
Bye, Daddy.

CLARENCE: Baby, it looks like

Brother Wallace
is gonna pull through.

They done put him in a room
where the family can visit.

-Was he sh*t?
-By the police.

How's Sister Boyd's son?

He didn't make it.

-Cecil talked to her.
-Uh, how can I help?

-Wh-What do they need?
-CECIL: They need help paying

their hospital bills,
funeral expenses.

We need to help people,
raise some money so they can rebuild.

-You got tour dates coming up.
-I'll cancel them.

You gonna tell Ruth that?

I'll work around them.
It's not important.

This is important.

I couldn't agree with you more.

You could preach, Daddy,

and I could sing.
We could ask other people.

People would help Detroit
because of you.

Then let's do that. But first,
let's get going on this.

CLARENCE: Y'all better listen
to Dr. King, now.

-He got a lot to say.
-[ALL CHUCKLE]

-Thank you, Mother Franklin.
-Dr. King,

it is a pleasure and an honor
to have you in our home.

Oh, thank you.
Pleasure's all mine.

[CHUCKLES]

CLARENCE: Mama,
could I have a little more sugar?

-Thank you.
-Mmm. Reverend?

CLARENCE: Yes, sir.

You truly resurrected
the spirit of Detroit tonight.

Thank God. Thank God.

KING: And I'm impressed
to see you here.

I know you're busy,
the way your career's going.

Well, I live in New York,
but Detroit will always be my home.

-Mmm-hmm.
-TED: I try to make sure she comes back

to Detroit whenever she can.

KING: And if you ever need
something done

in Detroit, everyone knows to call
on Reverend C.L. Franklin.

CLARENCE: Come on, now. Come on, now.

KING: I wish
I could've come earlier,

but the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference

has been struggling financially.

They been telling me
the best way to raise money

is to hold benefit concerts,

so, been hitting the road
with the likes

of Harry Belafonte and Joan Baez,

just to name a few.

I'd like to join your tour, Dr. King.

-And we'd love to have you.
-CLARENCE: I'll clear my schedule, too.

KING: Now, I don't want to pull you
away from Detroit,

-Reverend.
-Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.

ARETHA: I think what Dr. King is saying

is that he only needs singers
to help.

CLARENCE: Well, Detroit needs

its favorite daughter now
more than ever.

ARETHA: But with Dr. King,
I could reach

-so many more people.
-KING: Your daughter will draw a crowd.

-That'd be quite a boon for us.
-TED: We actually would love

to make this happen.
Uh, we just got to review the schedule.

CLARENCE: Schedule's grueling
as it is.

You don't want to spread yourself
too thin, baby.

KING: Normally, I'd agree,

but your daughter's a star
of international prominence,

and that comes
with a certain responsibility.

Come on, Daddy.
There's enough of me to go around.

Well, if Dr. King thinks it best,

then, well, of course.

And if you need me in Detroit,
I'll be here.

KING: The SCLC is having
our annual banquet soon.

-Surely, you can join us then.
-CLARENCE: Well,

I'll show up
wherever I'm invited.

ARETHA: How about I join you all
this week?

Amen.

That'd be beautiful.

[PIANO INTRO TO GO TELL IT
ON THE MOUNTAIN PLAYS]

Go tell it on the mountain

Over the hills
and everywhere

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born...

CLARENCE: Yes, that's my girl.
That's right.

She's singing a lot better
than she did last year.

Getting more used
to the environment now.

-That's what it is.
-Yeah.

-Yeah.
-[CLARENCE CHUCKLES]

Your daughter...
I'll tell you, she's a...

she's a baby singer
if I ever heard one.

And you're gonna really
bring in the crowd, Reverend.

Well, I see you added
some extra chairs over here.

-Uh-huh. Huh?
-We just...

We just sold a few more tickets
than I thought we would, that's all.

You have to pay me more, huh?

Thought we already...
already agreed on your fee.

Well, the word of God
has no price,

but I know you're charging
for them extra chairs.

-You good?
-Yeah.

Go tell it on the mountain

Oh, oh, oh...

CLARENCE: If I feel
you're taking advantage of her,

might have to cancel
the show right now.

Well, tell you, there, um...

there ain't no need for that.
We'll just, uh...

I'll tell you, I'll just make
the proper adjustments.

That's what I want to hear.

Appreciate it, brother.
Bless you.

- Tell it on the
- Tell it on the mountain

That Jesus

Christ is born...

- Ooh, ooh
- Jesus Christ is born

WOMAN: Hallelujah!

-Hallelujah!
-CLARENCE: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Baby, baby. That's right.

-Come here.
-[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

There's my girl.

-You glad to be back on the tour?
-Mmm-hmm.

-All right. Come on.
-[RHYTHMIC CLAPPING]

CLARENCE: That's right. That's right.
Here they go.

Come on, choir.
Come on, choir.

[WHOOPS] That's what I'm talking about.
Thank you, Jesus.

Now, we've been up
waiting for this all week.

-[CHEERING]
-No, don't take your seats.

-Get up on your feets.
-[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

Don't take your seats.
Get up on your feets.

[CHEERING, CHATTER]

Because...

What you've been waiting for,

all the way
from Greenwood, Mississippi.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]

The one, the only

Sammie Bryant!

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]

[BAND PLAYS INTRO TO
ALL GOD'S CHILDREN GOT WINGS]

I got a robe,
you got a robe

All of God's children
got a robe

When I get to Heaven,
gonna put on my robe

I'm gonna shout all over
'cause Heaven, Heaven...

What do you mean,
you left your baby at home?

-He's just so precious.
-Mmm.

DARLENE: He looks just like you, Re.

-Mmm-hmm.
-Especially around the eyes.

WOMAN: He sure does.

I got-a wings,
you got-a wings

All of God's children
got-a wings

When I get to Heaven,
gonna put on my wings

I'm gonna fly
all over God's Heaven...

Now, who you say
his daddy was again?

WOMAN:
Yeah, who is the daddy?

Everybody talkin'
about Heaven

Ain't goin'
to Heaven, Heaven

I'm gonna fly
all over God's Heaven

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]

I'd better put the picture away.

-Let me see!
-Mmm-hmm.

Y'all keep your hands off
other people's precious things.

Come on, Re. Let's go.

[MUSIC PLAYS IN DISTANCE]

-[DOOR OPENS]
-[LAUGHING]

SAMMIE: Let's get away from them.

Re, honey, don't pay them girls no mind.

I know you was raised
to respect your elders,

but you don't need to give
them mean gals the time of day.

I'll remember that.

Next time they come
for you, look for me.

'Cause I'll look out for you.

I knew your mother.

She had that same shine you got.

She'd be proud of you.

I don't think Mama would be
proud of me having a baby.

If your mama was around,

that baby
wouldn't have happened.

Is the father helping?

-[COUGHS]
-You ain't got to tell me who he is.

All I want to know is,
is he helping?

It's all right, Sammie.

You don't have
to worry about me.

What do you like to do for fun
when you're not on the road?

Roller skate,
listen to the radio.

Have you heard that song
Loveable by Dale Cooke?

You don't know?

There's no such thing
as Dale Cook.

It's Sam Cooke using
a pretend name.

So he can get away
with singing pop music?

No. Sam Cooke is
a gospel singer.

Ain't no way he gonna be going
around singing no pop music.

I'd know his voice anywhere.

He used to sing
at Daddy's church.

Ooh, if folks found out,
they would pitch a fit.

Folks like Darlene and her friends?

They would say,
"He's singing that Devil's music,"

and run him out
of town on a rail.

-Would you?
-If Sam Cooke was singing, ooh,

the minute he'd start to sweat,
I'd start fanning myself.

[BOTH LAUGHING]

Stick with me,
and I'll show you a good time.

-You're something else.
-[LAUGHING]

[OVERLAPPING SHOUTING
AND CHANTING]

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

[OVERLAPPING SHOUTING]

Dr. King, you all right?

Fine. Fine.

You know, when my son
was a baby,

I carried him on my back in
the fields while I was working.

We were sharecroppers.

So I want to thank you,

because I never thought
I'd see this day.

Thank you, Mother Franklin.

-[APPLAUSE]
-I needed to hear that.

[PIANO PLAYS INTRO
TO A CHANGE IS GONNA COME]

There's an old friend that

I once heard say

Something that touched

My heart

And it began this way

[APPLAUSE]

I was born by the river

MAN: Yes, God!

In a little tent

And just like the river

I've been runnin' ever since

He said, it's been
a long time comin'

[INDISTINCT SHOUTS FROM AUDIENCE]

But I know my change
is gonna come

Oh, yeah

He said, it's been
too hard living

But I'm afraid to die

I might not be if I knew
what was up there

[AUDIENCE MEMBERS VOICING ASSENT]

Beyond the sky

It's been a long

A long time coming

But I know my change
is gonna come

Oh, yeah

I went

I went to my brother

And I asked him, brother

Could you help me, please?

He said, good sister

I'd like to,
but I'm not able

And when I,
when I looked around

I was right back down

Down on my bended knees

Yes, I was, oh

There've been times
I've thought

I thought I wouldn't
last for long

But somehow right now

I believe that I'm able,
I'm able to carry on

I tell you
that it's been a long

Oh, it's been an uphill
journey all the way

And I know

I know

I know

I know change is gonna come

Yeah, I'm telling you

That change is gonna come

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

DR. KING: Thank you.

[CHUCKLES]

Hallelujah.

[APPLAUSE CONTINUES]

[WHISTLING]

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE SWELL]

-[SOFT JAZZ PLAYING]
-[LIGHTER CLINKS, FLICKS]

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

Having trouble sleeping?

-A Little.
-[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

-Ted snores.
-[CHUCKLES]

And I got to be on the road
first thing in the morning,

so I figured I'd just stay up.

-I know that trick. [CHUCKLES]
-Mmm.

You sang
really beautifully tonight.

Sam Cooke song was
a good choice.

Appreciate you coming on the road,
traveling and performing

and taking care of some
of our transportation costs.

You're quite generous.

It's the least I can do.

Turns out Daddy doesn't want
to be on the road with us.

[CHUCKLES] It's 'cause he has
his own flock to attend to.

-And he wants me to come home.
-Mmm.

He and the mayor
are organizing an event

that he wants me to attend.

Having a preacher for a father
is a blessing,

but it comes
with its challenges.

He took you out
on the gospel circuit

when you were quite young.

Yes, he did.

I learned a lot.

Those gals teach you
how to wear a fur coat?

Well, these hotels like
to keep the air way up

and I don't like to be cold.

-Well, I'm going to Chicago tomorrow.
-[LAUGHS]

How 'bout you?

Columbus.

You know,
you're about the only person

that I know
that is busier than I am.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Coretta and the children
must miss you.

I miss them, too.

[INHALES]

Is your husband, Ted,
a good man?

I used to lean on him
a lot more than I do now.

It's easier for a woman
to be the helpmate of a king

than it is for a man
to be the helpmate of a queen.

I don't think
it is easy at all.

[CHUCKLES]

Shall we have a toast to that?

-Yes, please. [CHUCKLES]
-[CHUCKLES]

RUTH: Once you get to Columbus,

you have a radio promo
at 7:00 a.m.

And then you have
press interviews until noon.

Then you have a store appearance
until 2:00 p.m.

After that, we go straight
to soundcheck.

There's no time for the hotel.

-You okay with that?
-We'll make it work.

You get enough sleep last night?

I'll get some sleep in the car
on the way there.

In the car? Good luck.

I'll get a couple of drinks
to help.

-Can I see the set list?
-Here you go, sweetie.

Martin, I think you should take
it easy on the Vietnam issue.

I'll say what I have to say.

But where we're going
isn't Riverside Church.

These folks are
more conservative.

If I don't talk about it,
who will?

Also, I hate to bring this up,

but Jerry called again about the studio,
and we got to get back to him.

I'm-a be on tour for six months.

But aren't you going to
Philadelphia and Boston with us?

I'll do that, too. I'll do it all.

I'll see you in Philadelphia.

I'll be there.

[LITTLE MAMA
BY THE CLOVERS PLAYING]

Shake it, li'l sis.

Oooh, oooh, uh, uh.
You dance like a grown woman.

DARLENE: We've been to Louisville,

Bowling Green, Shelbyville
and Jackson, to name a few.

[CHUCKLES]

Bet you're glad
you left that baby home.

Having fun now.

Girl.

You can sing and dance.

Look at you shimmy.

Go on, girl. Shake it, girl.

Come over here and shake it with me.

Girl, you was right.

Sam Cooke is singing pop music.

And he's performing in town tonight

and we're going.

I'm only 13.
I can't get into that place.

Girl, let me worry about that.
Let's go.

[MUSIC PLAYING FAINTLY]

Come on, girl.
We're gonna do it all.

We're gonna get you
all dolled up.

-To top it off. All right.
-[CLARENCE LAUGHING LOUDLY]

-Oh, sh**t. Oh, sh**t.
-I didn't even know you was all that.

Close your mouth, close your mouth,
close your mouth.

Aw, a partying girl.

I didn't know you was like that.
I thought you was

a good church girl.
[CHUCKLES]

Come on, let's get in here.

Hold up, we got to go to bed.

It's ti... It...

Where y'all going?

It's late!

Only place y'all
should be going is to bed.

-We-we going to bed.
-[CHUCKLING]

We'll put each other to bed.
[LAUGHS]

Oh, yeah.

Damn. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Girl, let's go.

Can't wait to see Sam Cooke
tonight!

-Yeah!
-Yeah, I'm so excited.

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen,

let's take your seats
for the Queen of Soul,

Miss Aretha Franklin!

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

You were up way too late
last night.

You must be exhausted.

[CHEERING]

ARETHA: Hello, Columbus.
I'm feeling so good tonight.

How are y'all feeling?

[GASPING, SHOUTING]

Broken in three places.

How long that thing
gonna be on her arm?

It's on track to heal
in four weeks, maybe six.

You're burning the candle
at both ends.

My advice is for you
to slow down.

This could have been
a lot worse.

You should have been keeping
your eye on her.

-I was, all right?
-Now is not the time, Daddy.

-I need to go back on tour.
-You need to stay home

-in Detroit.
-TED: He right.

I'm-a tell Ruth
to cancel the dates.

I can still sing,
I just can't play piano.

You need to stay home,
get some rest.

I'm cooking up a big event
for you with the mayor's office.

If I do anything, I'm gonna
honor my promise with Dr. King.

CLARENCE: You can't risk
your health for him, baby.

I'm fine. I just can't play,
right, Doctor?

No.

Whatever you do,
my advice is to slow down.

-You hear?
-I don't use my arm to sing.

DOCTOR:
I understand that.

But you need
to minimize movements.

You got lucky this time.

One more fall or injury
to that arm

and you may never play piano again.

[BOY LAUGHING]

CLARENCE: Mom and Dad
are gonna buy me a real car.

-EDWARD: Hey, I want a car too!
-LITTLE TEDDY: I want one.

TED: Okay, guys.
Quit messing around. Let's get ready.

[IRON BOX CLACKING]

Your arm still hurting?

Only when it's cold out.

They getting someone
to play the piano at the event?

They got someone
to accompany me tonight.

Good. [GRUNTS]

Boy, I thought I taught you
how to tie a tie. Come here.

-I forgot.
-[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Okay, now... [INHALES]

you gonna wrap this big part
around here.

You gonna tuck it in and under

and then... tighten the knot.

-Got that?
-Mmm-hmm.

-Clarence.
-Here I come.

Put this on. Keep it clean.

-Thank you, Mama.
-All right, I better not hear

y'all yelling and squirming.

None of that in the theater, okay?

It's your mama big day.
You hear me?

-BOYS: Yes, Daddy.
-All right.

-Baby, what you gonna wear?
-Still thinking about it.

Y'all got to vote.

Yeah, girl, we'll help you
pick out the outfit.

Let's see what we got.

Unless you want to be up onstage

in front of all those people
in just your slip.

[ARETHA CHUCKLES]

Now...

I always been partial
to the lime green.

CLARENCE:
I like the feathers.

-Wear the feathers, Mama.
-Mmm?

You look good in green.

Feathers!

BOYS: [CHANTING]
Feathers! Feathers!

Feathers! Feathers!

[APPLAUSE]

[A CHANGE PLAYING]

It ain't no fooling
around with this

Ain't no fooling around
with that

As mayor of Detroit,

I now designate the sixteenth of February

as Aretha Franklin Day.

Some people call me selfish

Because I want you to myself

But it better be
a crazy day in July...

DR. KING: Look at us both sneaking out.

Maybe they won't miss us.

They're gonna wonder
where we went.

I appreciate
you coming to celebrate my special day.

[CHUCKLES] I wouldn't have missed it
for the world.

Mmm.

I'm going back into the studio
in a few months.

-Hmm.
-I'd love it if you could come

and record some of your sermons
for my album.

-Really?
-Mmm-hmm.

I'm flattered.

-[CHUCKLES]
-Dr. King and the Queen of Soul.

-[LAUGHS]
-But I wouldn't want to cause any problems

between you and your father.

Mmm.

Don't you worry about that.

Oh, I see what you do.

[CHUCKLES] Between your father
and your husband,

you make it all work.

Do I?

I know you've heard me speak
probably more times than you cared to

over the past many months,
but...

every time I talk
about freedom for our people,

I'm also talking
about freedom of the mind.

Psychological freedom.

To achieve what we want to
as a people,

we need to start
with personal freedom.

Where did the bone break?

Uh...

here was the worst of it.

-Hmm.
-Felt like a...

bird with a broken wing.

CLARENCE: There you are.

Y'all done snuck
out of the party.

Come on, let's go back in.

Or do you want folks to think
you chose Dr. King

over your own father?

-[CHUCKLES]
-Come on.

-I'll be in in a minute.
-All right.

Thank you, Doc.
Stay well, now, 'cause we need you.

And he gave you his jacket!

Only because he knows me

from when he used to come sing
at Daddy's church.

But the way
he was singing tonight,

he never sang like that before.

You think I could be
a pop singer?

Sam Cooke sure think
you can be.

And then I'll throw my coat
on the ground...

-just like he does.
-Ooh. You better pick that up,

or I'm gonna take it.

He never sang like that
in church.

And he never looked that way
in church.

SAMMIE:
If I married him,

it'd be Sam and Sammie...

Where the hell you been?

Oh, you're grown now, huh?
You're grown.

It's my fault,
Reverend Franklin.

Re-re didn't even want
to go out,

but I talked her into it.

Did I ask you
for your explanation?

Go on back in your room

and let me have a conversation
with my daughter.

Go on, now.

[WHISPERS] I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Daddy.

Went to a juke joint, huh?

[CHUCKLES]

You're 13.

I wanted to see
Sam Cooke perform.

I asked you to stay inside!

-I was just listening to the music.
-Oh, you're fixin'

to get in trouble,
that's what you're doing now.

Now, I'm gonna send you
back home.

-No.
-You need to be

with the baby you have
rather than be out here

trying to have another one.

Now, now, take that jacket off.

G-Give me that jacket.

And what...
what you got on your lips?

C-Come here.

Go on and get inside, now.

Go on.

Hey, Little Re.

I heard you had a late night.

Hope you don't mess up
your song.

[WOMEN LAUGHING]

CLARENCE: Miss Johnson?

-Evening, Reverend Franklin.
-Mmm-hmm.

-Reverend.
-Mmm-hmm.

Please don't make me go home.

Well, why you want to stay?

I want to keep singing.

Hmm.

Would Sam's jacket help?

Yes.

[CHUCKLES]
I'll bet it would.

Come on.

You better put this thing on.

Turn around, let me see you.

All right.

You better sing, baby singer.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

[APPLAUSE]

MAN:
Oh, this is gonna be good.

Y'all about to hear
the little girl

who is starting to be
the baby singer of our tour.

-[SHOUTING]
-You ready? You ready?

Put your hands together,

welcome Little Miss
Aretha Franklin!

-Yeah!
-[CHEERING, SHOUTING]

[LAUGHING]

[PIANO PLAYING MID-TEMP INTRO]

Just

Just a closer walk with Thee

-Yes! Yes! Yes!
-[SHOUTING]

Grant it

Jesus

[SHOUTING CONTINUES]

Is my plea

-[WHOOPS]
-That's right!

CLARENCE: That's right!

Call his name!

Daily

Walking

Close to Thee

[LAUGHING, SHOUTING]

Let it be

[SHOUTING CONTINUES]

Dear Lord

Let it be

Let it be

[SHOUTING CONTINUES]

-Hallelujah!
-[PIANO PLAYING FASTER TEMPO]

I am weak
but Thou art strong

CLARENCE: That's right!

Jesus, keep me
from all wrong

CLARENCE: That's right.
That's right, sister.

I'll be

Satisfied as long

As I walk

Let me walk close to Thee

When my feeble life is o'er

Time for me will be no more

Guide me gently

Safely o'er

To Thy kingdom's shore

To Thy shore

Just a closer walk with Thee

MAN: Hallelujah! Yes, sir.

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea

Yes, Lord.

Daily walking

Close with Thee

-[TEMPO SLOWS]
- Let it be

Dear Lord

[SHOUTING CONTINUES]

Let it be

[CHEERING]

-Yes, sir!
-[SONG ENDS]

-That's right!
-[CHEERING, WHISTLING]

Martin Luther King was sh*t
and was k*lled tonight

-in Memphis, Tennessee.
-[SCREAMING ON TV]

[CROWD GOES SILENT]

In this difficult day,

in this difficult time
for the United States,

it's perhaps well to ask
what kind of a nation we are...

[PHONE RINGING]

and what direction
we want to move in.

For those of you who are Black,

considering
the evidence evidently is

[PHONE CONTINUES RINGING]

that there were white people
who were responsible,

you can be filled
with bitterness...

and with hatred

and a desire for revenge.

We can move in that direction
as a country,

in greater polarization...

or we can make an effort,

as Martin Luther King did,

-[RINGING CONTINUES]
-to understand...

and to comprehend,
and replace that v*olence,

that stain of bloodshed

that is spread
across our land...

-[PHONE STOPS RINGING]
-with an effort to understand...

compassion...

and love.

I had a member
of my family k*lled,

but he was k*lled
by a white man.

[PLAYS NOTE]

But we have to make an effort

-in the United States.
-[PLAYING SOFTLY]

We have to make an effort
to understand...

to get beyond or go beyond
these rather difficult times.

My favorite poem... my...

my favorite poet was Aeschylus.

He once wrote...

"Even in our sleep,

"pain which cannot forget

"falls drop by drop
upon the heart

"until, in our own de-despair,

"against our will,

"comes wisdom
through the awful grace of God."

What we need in the United
States is not division.

What we need in the United
States is not hatred.

What we need in the United
States is not v*olence

and lawlessness

but is love and wisdom

and compassion
toward one another

and a feeling of justice

toward those who still suffer
within our country,

whether they be white

or whether they be Black.