The Supremes In The Orient (1966) (Full Short-Documentary Film)

[@pieterdevries5263]

It is just incredible how busy The Supremes were kept due to their global popularity. I think the Supremes always stood out, not only because of their great harmonies, but their sophistication on stage is just WOW. Even though it may have taken a couple of years for their first hit, you can see how graceful and TV/ stage ready they were. They took the ball and ran with it. Wish I was around in the 60s to fully enjoy all the great music produced in that decade.

[@mattc2094]

Pieter DeVries - I totally agree, would loved to have been around in the 60s when they hit the scene... I just discovered the supremes recently, and I gotta say I’m mesmerised 50 years on.. major crush on a young Diana Ross.. so much talent elegance and beauty

[@erossinema8797]

They were popular because they didn't hoot , holler and scream incoherently, which is what audiences had been confronted with in the past with Little Richard, etc. I'm not saying ruckus stuff is bad, it's just quite marginalizing. Diana Ross and the Supremes sang almost everything except opera and sang it well. They also didn't insult their audiences by going on stage dressed like something the cat dragged in. Another key factor, Diana's incredible articulation and versatility

[@cinnamonspice6742]

I love the Original Supremes, Florence-Diana-Mary. ♥️

[@bernie1740]

I also love the Jean Terrell, Mary and Cindy era.

[@erossinema8797]

@@bernie1740 I didn't. The 70's Supremes were a hot mess compared to the originals

[@steveb1164]

@@erossinema8797 No, they were just different, with a more R&B sound

[@dddddadadad1796]

DIANA, Florence & Mary - see what I did there?

[@ceeceetracey9839]

At about 2:05 check out Flo coming into view after getting off the plane. She had a killer walk. Such a diva.

[@brucewatt2756]

Flo was the best followed closely by Mary. I have no use for Diane.

[@chrisbonilla9950]

@@brucewatt2756 Diana is the best in my opinion.

[@andrewthornhill7042]

@CeeCee Tracey She struttin' honey! Flo's selling The Supremes to Japan!

[@maxipazz8214]

Berry Gordy what a Cretan to play with the emotions of these girls and their dynamics

[@ceeceetracey9839]

@@andrewthornhill7042 true story

[@fwdthinker]

Funny....people are STILL online fighting about which was the "best" Supreme. Hell, I think all three were BADASS! Talented and good-looking. And the three of the originals together were DYNAMITE! I didn't feel the same energy after they brought Miss Birdsong in. I bet they DID have some wicked fights; as young girls would in such a high pressure position. But I think they ALL had the potential to be solo superstars. Mr. Gordy definitely picked three winners!

[@thatgirlteateagang9193]

Flo got amazing voice you go girl

[@boofusdeldooofus]

Gordy never gave Florence or Mary the opportunities he afforded Diana. That speaks volumes about his lack of vision. Motown was approached to bring Flo to broadway as Pearl Bailey. The legendary line goes ======> No one told her. Gordy ground Flo and Mary into the ground so they would serve Diana. When Flo resisted he made her suffer financially. Today we would call Gordy a bitch.

[@ccth22]

@fwdthinker you are correct. I think it was a complicated situation. I read both of Mary’s books and I thought it spoke volumes about their personalities. What I gathered from it was that not only did Diana have Berry, but she had a supportive family that valued education and success. So every move was done with her best interest in mind. Mary had grown up an only child(sort of) and kind of went along. I think if she had stuck with Duke Fakir from the Four Tops instead of the dude she married career moves might have worked out in her favor. Flo tragically had so many demons and lacked the dedication. Diana had all of those things plus willing to pay the price.

[@erossinema8797]

@@boofusdeldooofus Flo and Mary didn't have to renew their contract, did they? Flo did things that no boss would put up with, not just Berry. And don't feel sorry for Mary. Despite her post Supremes foghorn voice, she became wealthy, continued to travel the world, and had a long concert stage singing career. Why does everyone think it was a walk in the park for Diana Ross (no pun intended, since she has a park named after her in New York now) Diana had to work 3x as hard as the other women for the same pay, became anorexic due to stress and the heavy workload. They routinely had to do 5 shows a day when on the road. And she was financially exploited by Berry. She only had a few hundred thousand dollars when she left Motown. I see in one of the clips when Diana is obviously exhausted in the dressing room with her head laid down on the table, Flo smacks her. What the fuck was that about? But yet, it's all Diana's fault, right? If it wasn't for Diana Ross, no one would even know who the The Supremes were. They'd be about as famous as the Velvelettes. Throughout Mary's solo and post Diana career she never ever talked about the 70's Supremes on talk shows. Never.

[@stuartjenkins6673]

Duke Was Separated From HIs Wife Then Went Back To His Wife That's Why He And Mary Split Up.​@ccth22

[@trollymay]

nice to see even 10 seconds of Flo singing a solo. Wow!

[@georgemusic4all4seasons]

Thanks so much for posting this great historical footage of the great group. The Supremes are one of my favorite groups of all time!!!! One more thing, Florence is so darn beautiful.

[@mattc2094]

Wonderful footage... these girls are beautiful, totally in love with Diana Ross... what a talent they were, attracting fans 50 years on even with old footage like this

[@carlheese]

Florence was so radiant that when they came to Manila, Filipino fans were fawning over her much to Berry and Diana's surprise. Beyonce she was not at least in that part of the world. Well Filipinos appreciate real beauty 😍

[@carlosleon8224]

Flo's voice still gives me chills

[@lillianmunster4734]

Me tooooooo RIP Florence blondie and Mary 🕊️❤️

[@cravendubose8179]

​@@lillianmunster4734me too, she sounded awful..sorry but it's true..

[@Sean-cb8qb]

Wonderful footage! Florence said in another video that Manila LOVED her. Was hoping to see it here but this was more than enough!

[@maxipazz8214]

So very sad Mary is no longer with us

[@lillianmunster4734]

Yes AMEN SIP Florence blondie and Mary SIP 🕊️❤️🕊️ Missing You Ladies RIP ❤️🕊️❤️

[@cravendubose8179]

Me too, but can you just be thankful we still got Diana ross...Ross....

[@mrwalker862]

I love u 4ever, Florence!

[@thatgirlteateagang9193]

Love you Flo was a Brick house RIP

[@boofusdeldooofus]

Flo was a queen. That voice of honey.

[@anthonyanderson4350]

I love this. But the end it’s all Diana, Diana, Diana....more Mary and Flo please!

[@erossinema8797]

Well you're in the minority. Diana was the reason the world knew who The Supremes were. She gave the group sparkle.

[@lifeworksndhenterprisesllc6597]

@@erossinema8797 sorry, there's is no "I" in team. Flo made the group's name and you had to apperciate other groups as well.

[@erossinema8797]

@@lifeworksndhenterprisesllc6597 That's because you are delusional, and you don't understand Berry's clever marketing. What you are listening to when it comes to Diana Ross and the Supremes is Diana Ross and the back up singers. That's the way they sounded even before their name change in 1968. I don't care what they were before they got a record contract. That doesn't matter, does it????

[@Jocelyn_Jade]

@@erossinema8797 “You’re delusional because I don’t agree with you.”

[@aintnothingliketheoldskool]

@@erossinema8797 their is no need to bully because someone doesn't agree with you or to get your point across

[@toshinaellis3720]

This is a Gem💎it’s wonderful to hear👂🏽 Florence speak🗣️ There’s very little footage of her singing 🎶 and talking.

[@juliusmaloney]

I’ve always wanted to see this!! It’s so rare to see concert footage of the original Supremes line up...💖💕😍

[@mattc2094]

So true... looks they had a busy touring schedule... I just discovered the supremes and they are beautiful!

[@knockshinnoch1950]

WOW! This is the best version of the Supremes in the Orient I've seen. I wish someone would restore and remaster the footage and repackage it as part of a documentary focusing on the background of the trip to Japan in 1966 and its wider context in the history of the group.I wonder how much more archive footage of the group is locked in the Motown vault?

[@davidlasher3821]

Wow! Wonderful piece of tape! Gonna watch this about 1000 times! ....

[@debragarner4884]

I'm just now understanding Mary Wilson and her dedication to the Supremes! They had did so much and bonded as young women. Diana seems to just wanted to forget it all, for what reason idk? Thanks to Mary, many others can know what i now realized. How important this group would be to generation to come to know these fine group of talented women and the impact of many other women groups. Mary Wilson the real Supreme!

[@lillianmunster4734]

Thanks for posting SIP Florence Blondie and Mary 🕊️💕 RIP Girls ❤️

[@erossinema8797]

Because they treated her like shit. Notice the clip when Diana is obviously dead exhausted and has her head on the dressing room table, Flo smacks her. What the hell was that about? Diana later asked for and got a separate dressing room.

[@cravendubose8179]

Diana didn't want to forget, she (DIANA).just wanted to move on..and she did, what's the problem wit that..FOREVER ❤DIANA..

[@steveb1164]

Mary was the glue that kept the group together, even when Cindy Birdson replaced Flo Ballard.

[@lifeworksndhenterprisesllc6597]

Flo you still looked fabulous as always. 🥰🥰🥰🙂😘💖♥️💗🥰

[@DCGuy1997]

Mary sounds awesome at 11:04! And Flo at 11:45! It's a shame Gordy didn't let them sing more in the concerts. They sound better than Diane when she sings Michelle and Yesterday.

[@lillianmunster4734]

I agree 💯👍 SIP Florence Blondie and Mary 🕊️❤️

[@ceeceetracey9839]

THis is blurry but its awesome. I've read so many of their books and heard of every experience thats shown in this clip. It was nice to actually SEE it for a change. Thanks for the upload.

[@cat-yz2ew]

I saw them live in Yokosuka Naval Base that year!

[@patricktownsend3474]

In the Benny Decker theater? I was stationed on the USS Midway from '83 to '86 which was homeported in Yokosuka - I know all about Japan, the Phillipines, etc. So how was the concert? Tell us all about it.

[@jamespickett2687]

This is a rare treat! Thanks 👍

[@lillianmunster4734]

Thanks for posting

[@NDGOCHYLD]

RIP Florence Ballard & Mary Wilson! #ForeverASupreme

[@lillianmunster4734]

SIP Florence blondie and Mary SIP 🕊️💕🌹🌹

[@gucciysl]

The girls just turned 21 in here. So gorgeous and so mature.

[@AngelHolema]

"❤🎉 Always Was And😂 Always Will Be MY Favorite Group EVER"...

[@AliMalaksaidi]

Love diana ross

[@janis041964]

Great post!!!!!!

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

Mary recalled the scene at 22:10, Diana was pretending to doze for the camera and Florence announced she was going to wake Diana up by throwing her hair brush at her, LOL. Don't think it was anything catty, Flo was just teasing Diana.

[@user-qw4zv6xr2x]

when did she recall this?

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

@@user-qw4zv6xr2x She wrote about that incident in her Dreamgirl autobiography in 1986.

[@ceeceetracey9839]

@@malcolmmarshall5946 exactly. Flo might have spoke about this in one of her interviews too

[@jonaswennstrom6634]

I think Diana had a high pitch, nasal pop voice. Florence sang soul.

[@boofusdeldooofus]

If you pay attention Florence could mimic Diana's voice and get her out of her pitch issues.

[@gucciysl]

Mary sings jazz. May she rest in peace

[@bernie1740]

Florence’s vocals was similar to Aretha and Etta James.

[@erossinema8797]

Doh! It also made her famous and fueled the sale of millions of records and thousands of concerts

[@cravendubose8179]

​@@bernie1740nope, nope. big lie..

[@shmuli9]

I don't understand why Berry Gordy said "Mary, you can't sing" and in general many people say "Florence and Mary could be replaced by anyone two other 'girls'..." (Florence could sing, too...)

[@copanationdie]

shmuli9 Florence's lead on "Ain't that Good News" shows who was the best singer in the group.

[@Noodleydoo]

Shmuli--Berry was having problems getting Florence to tow the line and he didn't want any additional problems from Mary. Berry told Mary she couldn't sing to play on her insecurities and it worked. Mary had a great voice but not a lot of confidence. Today Berry admits that "all those women could sing or they wouldn't have been in the group."

[@shmuli9]

Yep... I just wish Florence and Mary could have showcased their talents more on albums tracks at least. Diana might have had the most commercial voice for singles, but all three women could belt a song out.

[@Noodleydoo]

Shmuli9--I agree. I found the Supremes much more interesting when you could clearly hear Mary and Florence.

[@shmuli9]

Me, too... They are /were great singers.

[@borood1188]

They were bigger than the Beatles at this time.

[@erossinema8797]

Well The Beatles were album artists, whereas the Supremes singles sold in unbelievable amounts.

[@willmacintyre649]

Tinny sound! Washed out colour film! The appeal of these three Supremely talented young women still shines through!

[@mattc2094]

So true.. this footage is so old, but still I’m mesmerised... with a major crush on Diana Ross... they sure were talented, attracting fans 50+ years later

[@manuelcampuzano558]

People was fabulous they all had part, wrong move just giving it to Diana, "Ain't that Good news" should have been in the show as well, the harmony was tight, the never had that sound after Flo

[@Made.For.a.While24]

You can see a 4:30 they turned Flo mic down she trying to tell him to turn it up

[@MiamiPush2theLimit]

No. Actually she was trying to move her mic up closer to her mouth. All their mic were not at the correct height and needed to be adjusted.

[@lillianmunster4734]

@@MiamiPush2theLimit I noticed that also Flo mic needed to be readjusted

[@quality333]

1966 was the year Flo Ballard looked more sexy and voluptuous than ever and that smile WOW

[@mattc2094]

Flo sure looked fine... Diana’s my fav, total hottie... but flo is looking damn good too in this 66 tour

[@thatgirlteateagang9193]

Daina was the mot so good looking Skinny pop eyes big mouth when the Supremes First Came out she was a Mess Money made her

[@dddddadadad1796]

Who?

[@TorreanoLamont]

So I'm re edit this (in order) with the audio that they used (which was live at the roostertail). Although I don't have all the HD clips where I can use them I will. If you know any shows or documentaries (besides hitsville the making of Motown and Motown 25) that featured clearer quality please let me know.

[@MikeScott-ez7iw]

Wow I think 🤔 I just saw Diana take a puff off a smoke in the dressing room anyway This is classic live supremes all 3 look happy beautiful and glamours All 3 girls had good voices period

[@Jocelyn_Jade]

Diana reminded me of James Brown sometimes especially at 8:18. Some of her Supremes wigs especially the big pouffy ones look like female James Brown. Flo and Mary are so pretty and graceful.

[@dddddadadad1796]

You tried it. Your mother looks like James brown

[@dipsdapsanddubs]

In some of these clips (mainly "People") Florence looks like Letoya Luckett

[@lakishascott2132]

Flo 💜

[@SpencerWhitelow]

Beautiful ladies

[@haccvklehughes5897]

Ooooo

[@lillianmunster4734]

I agree 👍

[@rrmauriello]

mary sings lead in people!

[@patricktownsend3474]

She sounds fine too.

[@勝島義順]

この当時は見たくても見れなかった彼女達の生の姿、名前は知ってたけどこんな姿は見れなかった

[@davidlasher3821]

So! Why has Diana been hiding these video's? ... oh! Thinks this is not right, that is not right, we don't look this, that, whatever! It is about love Diana! ... like you say ..."we must have been something!" ...yes you are! ....

[@bunkerston]

Wow, never knew she referred to herself as Diane 17:01 back then, when did she become Diana?

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

bunkerston when her fans started glamourizing her. Diane just wasn't fab enough for this superstar

[@Gio_Vanni6143]

Her birth name was Diane, but it was incorrectly recorded as Diana.

[@dddddadadad1796]

The day she was BORN????🙄

[@ceeceetracey9839]

Berry Gordy know he's got this footage clear as hell. He needs to stop holding out on the Supremes stuff. Its annoying.

[@erossinema8797]

It's not in his hands any more. He sold the company years ago for a mere 61 million dollars. It was worth far more than that. Pfft! That was a freakin' steal! How much you wanna bet all of this stuff will be officially released in its remastered glory when Diana Ross dies? Mark my words

[@Ilonavld]

This is my video :(

[@ceeceetracey9839]

i hate when they have to sing their songs fast as hell, like someone is rushing them off the stage

[@HardCold-Alquan]

I didn't know that Diana Ross smoked. She may have been doing other things too, since Motown artists seemed to have all seemed to have preferred Coke over Pepsi!

[@erossinema8797]

That's why her voice aged quickly. Kinda sad, really. That's one of the dumbest things singers can do is smoke.

[@chrism.4544]

22:22 that's what Flo and Mary had to deal with

[@duncandacunha7771]

Florence

[@gucciysl]

Did Diana just said not Oriental?!😄😄

[@DerezD-l2j]

Diana 🥰👄🍑🙏🏽

[@MikeScott-ez7iw]

I allways said this about the supremes I like to hear 🙉 them live raw If y'all listen 👂 to them sing all 3 had amazing voices Y'all stop this judgemental b.s Between them period

[@davidaikman2968]

I love Diana Ross. I can’t stand the way she sings in this video. So nasal and grating. Valisia Lekae leaned into this version of Diana in The Motown Musical, and that is why I couldn’t bring myself to see the show. Diana could always sing beautifully, and I wish Berry would’ve steered her out of the Little Anthony waters during this period.

[@sanskretro]

6:57 Sisters bickering. Lol. Flo, like me, was too smart for her own good. SMH. Nobody likes somebody like that.

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

gordy donated all of his historical films to a university

[@ceeceetracey9839]

Where'd you hear/read that?

[@Noodleydoo]

Hee hee! Why did they splice footage of chickens and a pig into this?

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

Cause the lyrics to the accompanying song said " bacon and eggs to fix."

[@lillianmunster4734]

@@malcolmmarshall5946 Yes the words of the song

[@toshinaellis3720]

#florenceballard

[@bettermost]

Ross sounds like a frog

[@stuartjenkins6673]

Florence Was A Stunning Beautiful Lady, Ross Was Vile.Always Trying To Sound Intellectual And Failing Miserably

[@coreemore2355]

Its so fucked up how diana did them.but mary was saved.she didnt SELL out.she was truly spared

[@dddddadadad1796]

How did she “do” them????? I guess it is “fucked up” how she CARRIED THEM ON HER BACK FOR 10 years, and was their meal ticket, and recorded ALL THEIR HIT RECORDS, some ALONE, while one was off DRINKING, and the other was off sleeping with ANYTHING IN PANTS… and basically making the group A SUCCESS. You’re so right…. She just did “them” sooo wrong. Get a life

[@edglebennett6312]

Ouch!😆

[@ceeceetracey9839]

@@dddddadadad1796 diana ross was a mean ass ho. Stop (in the name of love) acting like you dont know about her treacherous antics.

[@garysmith394]

@@dddddadadad1796 And of course Diana was the perfect angel, sleeping with a married man AND having a child by him AND marrying someone else when she got pregnant AND trying to make the public think the child was her husband's. Of course anyone with two eyes and good sense could see that the child was not fathered by Robert Silberstein (Bob Ellis). It's not about "getting a life" but seeing what is in front of you and not excusing someone's behavior just because you are worshipping an idol. It is also not about being judgemental but acknowledging that none of them were perfect. Florence and Mary are gone now but Diana still has some time left to deal with what will come her way, if it hasn't already. We know how good she is at keeping quiet about the unsavory aspects of her life.

[@gabrielmoody1708]

​@@garysmith394The v time you see Diana is when she is with her kids! Doesn't she have any girlfriends/friends?

[@PinupSaviMonroe]

this is amazing these wemon are legends i just love them.