2006
Facing foreclosure on his juke joint in 1950s Alabama, Tyrone Purvis plans a show with legendary Guitar Sam, despite his wife's religious objections. When Guitar Sam fails to appear, Ty hires young drifter Sonny Blake, promoting him as the famous musician to draw a crowd and save his club. Sonny's electrifying performance revitalizes the Honeydripper Lounge and the town, even as his true identity is questioned by a rival and a fight breaks out. The club is saved, and Sonny departs, leaving behind a renewed sense of hope and the enduring power of music that inspires young Scratch.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Honeydripper follows club owner Ty’s struggle to revive his venue by recruiting a mysterious guitarist, interwoven with social tensions of the Jim Crow South.
Open full beat sheetTyrone Purvis is listed as Proprietor and piano player. In his 50s, owner of the Honeydripper Lounge. In the parsed data, Tyrone Purvis is connected to 36 scenes, 108 dialogue lines, 108 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
36 scenes / 108 dialogue linesMaceo is listed as Bar worker. Works at the Honeydripper, friend of Ty. In the parsed data, Maceo is connected to 23 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
23 scenes / 49 dialogue linesChina Doll is listed as Bar worker. Pretty young woman in her late teens, Ty's step-daughter. In the parsed data, China Doll is connected to 20 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
20 scenes / 15 dialogue linesSonny Blake is listed as Musician. 20s, traveler, guitar player. In the parsed data, Sonny Blake is connected to 17 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
17 scenes / 19 dialogue linesDelilah is listed as Ty's wife. Religious, works for the Mayor's wife. In the parsed data, Delilah is connected to 13 scenes, 30 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
13 scenes / 30 dialogue linesLonnie is listed as Scratch's friend. Young boy, pretends to play piano on a board. In the parsed data, Lonnie is connected to 11 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
11 scenes / 4 dialogue linesScratch is listed as Young musician. 10 years old, plays a diddley bow. In the parsed data, Scratch is connected to 11 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
11 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSlick is listed as Regular. Sharply-dressed man in his late 40s. In the parsed data, Slick is connected to 9 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
9 scenes / 8 dialogue linesSheriff Hiram Pugh is listed as Law enforcement. Large, menacing, corrupt sheriff. In the parsed data, Sheriff Hiram Pugh is connected to 7 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 52.
7 scenes / 17 dialogue linesDex is listed as Harvest hand. Combative, has a scar on his face. In the parsed data, Dex is connected to 7 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
7 scenes / 13 dialogue linesJunebug is listed as Harvest hand. Local man, nervous air. In the parsed data, Junebug is connected to 6 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
6 scenes / 16 dialogue linesPossum is listed as Musician. Blind, plays guitar. In the parsed data, Possum is connected to 6 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
6 scenes / 8 dialogue linesHam is listed as Harvest hand. Big, morose, from Mississippi. In the parsed data, Ham is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesNadine is listed as Regular. Large, handsome woman with a gold tooth. In the parsed data, Nadine is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesReverend Cutlip is listed as Preacher. Evangelical preacher. In the parsed data, Reverend Cutlip is connected to 4 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
4 scenes / 11 dialogue linesMetalmouth Sims is listed as Harmonica player. Slight, worried-looking. In the parsed data, Metalmouth Sims is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 8.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesShack Thomas is listed as Pullman Porter. Older man, grew up in Harmony. In the parsed data, Shack Thomas is connected to 3 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
3 scenes / 5 dialogue linesTime Trenier is listed as Musician. Older, stoic, sax player. In the parsed data, Time Trenier is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 56.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCool Breeze is listed as Enforcer. Hard-looking, sharply-dressed. In the parsed data, Cool Breeze is connected to 2 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
2 scenes / 16 dialogue linesBertha Mae Spivey is listed as Singer. Woman in her late 50s/early 60s, singer at the Honeydripper. In the parsed data, Bertha Mae Spivey is connected to 2 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
2 scenes / 7 dialogue linesStokely is listed as Regular. Bitter drunk. In the parsed data, Stokely is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesAmanda Winship is listed as Mayor's wife. Pretty, high-strung. In the parsed data, Amanda Winship is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 21.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMr. Simmons is listed as Businessman. Prosperous looking. In the parsed data, Mr. Simmons is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
1 scenes / 2 dialogue linesScratch plays a diddley bow while Lonnie pretends to play piano on a board.
Scratch, LonnieHarvest hands pick cotton in a field.
Lonnie and Scratch walk through the woods.
Scratch, LonnieLonnie and Scratch walk along the railroad tracks.
Scratch, LonnieLonnie and Scratch walk past an army barracks.
Scratch, LonnieLonnie and Scratch cross a railroad bridge.
Scratch, LonnieLonnie and Scratch arrive at the Honeydripper Lounge.
Scratch, LonnieBertha Mae performs while Ty, Slick, Maceo, and others interact.
Bertha Mae Spivey, China Doll, Tyrone Purvis, Slick, Maceo, Metalmouth SimsThe power goes out at the Honeydripper.
Scratch, LonnieSheriff Pugh visits the club during the power outage.
Tyrone Purvis, China Doll, Maceo, Nadine, Stokely, Sheriff Hiram PughBertha Mae and Slick arrive at her house.
Bertha Mae Spivey, SlickSonny Blake arrives in Harmony and meets Shack Thomas.
Sonny Blake, Shack ThomasTy and Maceo discuss bringing in Guitar Sam.
Tyrone Purvis, Maceo, China DollHarvest hands arrive at the cotton field.
Dex, Ham, JunebugSonny wanders the town.
Sonny BlakeSonny meets Possum.
Sonny Blake, PossumTy and Maceo prepare the club.
Tyrone Purvis, Maceo, China DollTy, Maceo, and China Doll discuss the club's finances and the potential of hiring a new musician while dealing with the arrival of a mysterious young traveler.
Tyrone Purvis, Maceo, China Doll, Sonny BlakeTy attempts to secure liquor on credit from a delivery truck, but is rejected; he then successfully intercepts a delivery meant for Toussaint.
Tyrone Purvis, MaceoChina Doll and Sonny talk while he eats; Ty interrupts to send Sonny away.
China Doll, Sonny Blake, Tyrone Purvis, MaceoDelilah works in the kitchen while Amanda Winship hovers, expressing her dependence on Delilah.
Delilah, Amanda WinshipTy, Maceo, and China Doll attempt to hang posters; Ty has a tense encounter with Possum.
Tyrone Purvis, Maceo, China Doll, PossumShack Thomas discusses civil rights with workers; Ty expresses skepticism.
Shack Thomas, Tyrone Purvis, China DollChina Doll charms Luther into allowing them to hang posters.
Tyrone Purvis, China Doll, MaceoTy and China Doll discuss their plan to make Bertha Mae a partner.
Tyrone Purvis, China DollMaceo promotes the upcoming show to local girls.
MaceoTy and China Doll arrive at Bertha Mae's house.
Tyrone Purvis, China DollSlick informs Ty that Bertha Mae is gone.
Slick, Tyrone Purvis, China DollThey discover Bertha Mae has died.
Tyrone Purvis, China Doll, SlickSonny is stopped by Sheriff Pugh.
Sonny Blake, Sheriff Hiram PughSheriff Pugh forces Sonny into labor for Gatlin.
Sonny Blake, Sheriff Hiram Pugh, DexMaceo promotes the show to passing soldiers.
MaceoDelilah and Amanda discuss religion and life.
Delilah, Amanda WinshipTy visits the house of the deceased Bertha Mae and observes her body while Slick talks to an undertaker.
Tyrone Purvis, SlickSonny struggles with labor in a prison work gang while Ned offers him advice on rhythm.
Sonny Blake, JunebugFree harvest hands gamble and talk while Maceo arrives to promote the Honeydripper show.
Maceo, Dex, Ham, JunebugExterior shot of the Purvis house at night.
Ty and Delilah argue about the future of the Honeydripper and their financial situation.
China Doll, Tyrone Purvis, DelilahReverend Cutlip delivers a sermon at the revival tent.
Delilah, Reverend CutlipSonny and other prisoners sing in their cell.
Sonny Blake, JunebugChina Doll prepares Bertha Mae for the funeral.
China DollMourners gather at Bertha Mae's house.
SlickMourners pay respects at the coffin.
The funeral procession moves toward the cemetery.
Tyrone Purvis, Slick, MaceoBertha Mae is buried.
Scratch, Lonnie, Tyrone Purvis, Slick, Delilah, Reverend CutlipTy waits for Guitar Sam at the train station.
Tyrone Purvis, PossumFlashback to a violent encounter in a bar.
Tyrone PurvisThe train arrives, but Guitar Sam is not on it.
Tyrone Purvis, PossumReverend Cutlip challenges Delilah about her faith.
China Doll, Delilah, Sonny Blake, Reverend CutlipTy learns that Guitar Sam is in the hospital.
Tyrone Purvis, Shack Thomas, PossumTy and Maceo discuss the history of the piano and the club's future.
China Doll, Tyrone Purvis, MaceoTy negotiates with Sheriff Pugh to rent Sonny for the weekend.
Tyrone Purvis, Sheriff Hiram PughTy retrieves Sonny from the prison labor gang.
Tyrone Purvis, Sonny Blake, Sheriff Hiram PughMaceo asks Nadine to sew a jacket for Sonny.
Maceo, NadineChina Doll prepares Sonny for his performance while Ty and Maceo leave to find musicians.
Tyrone Purvis, China Doll, Sonny Blake, MaceoTy and Maceo hire Time Trenier for the show.
Tyrone Purvis, Maceo, Time TrenierThe pickers are paid unfairly by the clerk.
Ham, Dex, Junebug, Sheriff Hiram PughTy repairs the stage and talks to Sonny about his past.
Tyrone Purvis, Sonny BlakeDelilah discovers her money is missing.
DelilahDelilah confronts Ty about the missing money.
Delilah, Tyrone Purvis, MaceoOpal gets ready for the night.
Young people head toward the club.
Soldiers get ready for leave.
Dex prepares for the night.
DexPickers head out to celebrate.
HamDelilah arrives at the revival meeting.
DelilahCrowds arrive at the Honeydripper.
Metalmouth SimsThe club fills up and the crowd demands Guitar Sam.
Tyrone Purvis, Maceo, DexReverend Cutlip calls for salvation.
Reverend Cutlip, DelilahTy gives final instructions to China Doll and Sonny.
Tyrone Purvis, China Doll, Sonny BlakeSheriff Pugh enters the club, pressuring Ty for food and questioning the presence of the new musician, while Sonny begins to perform.
Tyrone Purvis, Sheriff Hiram Pugh, Delilah, Sonny Blake, Maceo, Metalmouth SimsSonny plays his guitar while walking through the crossroads, drawing a crowd from Toussaint's.
Sonny Blake, HamSonny returns to the stage, Cool Breeze confronts Ty about the money and the musician's identity, and Toussaint challenges Sonny's claim to be Guitar Sam.
Sonny Blake, Time Trenier, Metalmouth Sims, Maceo, Nadine, Tyrone PurvisFlashback to a violent incident involving a knife and a guitar player.
Tyrone PurvisTy intervenes in a fight between Dex and Ham, disarming them.
Tyrone Purvis, Dex, Ham, MaceoSlick sits by Bertha Mae's grave, listening to the music in the distance.
SlickTy talks to Possum outside the club before Possum departs.
Tyrone Purvis, Possum, MaceoScratch and Lonnie play music together on their makeshift instruments.
Scratch, Lonnie-him standing there with a tray of white people food pretendin not to have a thought in his head, might be only some dust hangin in the air for all they know- but he's watchin the fingers, see, watchin them keys work. This old boy, the first one, he can play alla them Africa kinda instruments, he can play mud if you give him the key and the tempo, he's got music in his head, in his heart, in every damn piece of him there's music.
The thoroughfare I'm talking about, the righteous path we got to tread, is called the Highway to Heaven, and by the great Lord above it is straight and it is narrow! Keep your eyes on the prize and your feet on the street and you won't ever make a mis-step, you won't ever falter, you won't ever stumble, because Jesus will show you the Way!
Well, Nappy goes out and has him a- a porkchop or two, let's say- and he comes back from Toussaint's one night feeling no pain, smelling like- like porkchops- the way a man will- and he falls out on Nadine's couch and commences to snore. Wake up the next mornin, finds she had took all his clothes off without him knowin it-
Hell, I member playin this game one night- Memphis is Boss Crump's town, folks is gamblin before they can walk- ten dollars a hand. I caught a winnin streak that cleaned out half the sportin men on Beale Street. Got up from that table, my money was as long as train smoke-
That Judge Gatlin's gang- he work them people from can until can't, ever damn day, and when his fields is picked he bid em out to the neighbors. Harvest time comes round here, you sign up with somebody fast or you stay outa sight.
The Highway of Life, Brothers and Sisters, will twist you and turn you, it will run you this way and that way, it will tempt you with many a detour-- for the Highway of Life, Brothers and Sisters, is designed to lead us astray!
Well you wake up in the morning Hear the bing-bong ring- Walk up to the table And see the same damn thing All Imonna tell you Knife, a fork and a pan If you say a thing about it You're in trouble with the Man
Aint no sin happenin here tonight, baby, and there sure as hell aint no wages. Your God wants to chastise some sinners He best move on over to Toussaint's, got a whole barroom crowded with em.
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