Cotton Comes to Harlem

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source: Cotton Comes to Harlem

Buddy movie / crime caper with a new take on American culture when the sixties were coming to an end while racial tensions needed to be addressed... and so does 'Cotton comes to Harlem'. The film has a promising premise, but it doesn't play its cards right; pretty much straight away it isn't hard to guess that the 'good' reverend would have something to do with the heist. But the pay-off, when finally the curtain falls on him, is rather okay. Most of the other developments in the story didn't have to take as much time as they did (the two riots and the chase are perfect examples of scenes being dragged out too long). A lot of the humour was cheesy without a good punch nor delivery. Still, the film is an admirable try to focus on several difficult issues, and is the first in the blaxploitation genre, I've read, although this has hardly any of the gore, nudity or explosions in it that one would expect. But it does get across that a little bit of common sense and a sense of humour can go a long way against violence, ignorance, greed and apathy - well, one would hope. Godfrey Cambridge's terrific performance in 'Watermelon man' bumped this title up my list, and he does quite okay here, but the film itself is rather too long and at times on the dull side to allow anyone to truly shine. Well, Judy Pace deserves a mention - her black is beautiful and not to be messed with! A good 6 out of 10. If you want to see a true testament to black power in the seventies, go see 'Sweet Sweetback's baad asssss song', though!

This is a decent and very watchable film--the first so-called "blaxploitation" film. However, this label is hard to apply to this film because although it has many of the sensibilities (stupid White cops as well as gratuitous nudity), it also features some things you never or rarely see in this genre. First, the heroes of this film are Black cops (Coffin and Gravediffer)--and cops are NOT leading men in blaxploitation films! Second, one of the biggest scumbags in the film is a Marcus Garvey-like Black con-man, the Rev. Deke O'Malley. So instead of trying to pigeonhole this film into this genre, I'd rather just judge it by itself. The film has an excellent R&B score--one of the better ones of the era. The acting by all was very good, though Godfrey Cambridge came off the best of the lot. Direction by veteran actor Ossie Davis was also pretty good. One serious complaint is that the film doesn't seem to know, at times, whether it's a comedy or drama--I wish it had stuck a little closer to one or the other. The other problem is that while the movie was definitely intended to appeal to Black audiences, it could have resounded well with all audiences if they'd let up a little on the negative attitudes towards Whites--though, back in 1970, I could certainly understand all the anger, resentment and mistrust. Heck, had I been Black back then, I'm pretty sure I would have hated White folks as well. It's too bad really, as because of this most non-Black audiences would miss out on seeing a good film. By the way, the movie makes a couple references to Marcus Garvey. The Reverend's character was based on him, though Garvey by almost all accounts did not intend to cheat investors in his Black cruise line. Try reading up on the man--he's one of the most interesting yet forgotten civil rights leaders of the 20th century.

As might be inferred from its name, this is a comedy, or was meant to be. Unfortunately it isn't that funny, even for those of us who have some familiarity with the nuances of urban black life in the America of this time, if only from similar films. "Cotton Comes To Harlem" is also a thriller, and it would have made better viewing if this aspect had been played up, which would have entailed playing down the comic book violence. The bottom line is that $87,000 is stolen in a blatant robbery, and law enforcement including two black detectives turn Harlem upside down in pursuit of it. That sum was worth considerably more then than in today's money, but not so much this was the Great Train Robbery of New York State. The cotton reference is not an allusion to de old plantation but to the stolen money somehow ending up in a bale of cotton. One of the detectives is played by Godfrey Cambridge who just six years later was dead from a heart attack at just 43. This film does not make a good epitaph for him or for anyone else.

The art of filmaking is best represented right here in this 70's gem . I don't think anything can quite match the energy and effort put forth here."Cotton comes to Harlem" title alone,is very deep saying much to people who truly are in touch with themselves.Black ,White or whatever , this hysterical and historic film is an American Classic.I would'nt ever be a spoiler ,but look whats all in here ,Religious zealots,supercops,pimps,mafia types,great car chase scene,the Apollo theatre ,beautiful women ,authentic Harlem NYC locations ,who'd dare ask for more?? This stunning achievment is directed by Ozzie Davis I would recommend anyone serious about the study of cinema seek out his other films as well.My favorite underrated star Godfrey Cambridge is here in perhaps his greatest film role and even Hollywood knows nothing compares.Oh! I almost forgot ,the sequel Welcome Back Charleston Blue !! was very good too, but this original is best.If I could I'd give it 15"*s". Seek this out on video and the DVD you'll never regret it! For all the action in it kids will like this too there's no bad language or any thing here.

This is one of the funniest movies of the early 1970's. The story, the acting as well as the characters helped to make this a great film. In many ways this film was a preview of things to come due to the fact that the very next year with the premier of Shaft, the era of the "blaxploitation" film would begin. Also, you have to wonder if the team who created the Lethal Weapon series were somewhat inspired by this due to the fact that characters of Gravedigger and Coffin are somewhat reminiscent of Briggs and Murtaugh from that series. However, the thing that really made this fun was the brief appearance of Redd Foxx playing a character that was not dissimilar from the character that would earn him his biggest fame, Fred Sanford. This is definitely a lost classic.

Over the years, I've seen this movie on old, grainy, scratchy prints with runny color and muffled sound. I just viewed the DVD of this movie, and it's the first viewing I've had of a decent print with a decent video transfer. This has led me to revise what I long thought of the film. First revision: I hadn't before realized how good the cinematography is. The images are detailed, well-composed, and carefully lit; the editing is sharp without being obvious. I also hadn't recognized how good the acting is; the actors are all energetic without chewing up the scenery, they are clearly working hard to capture the right tone for the piece without looking like they're working hard. Finally, now that I can hear all the dialog clearly, I realize, first, just how funny it is, and second, just how true to the source novel it is. Although Davis adds touches here and there, and of course some of the novel gets left out, Davis is really making a strenuous effort to remain true to the spirit of Chester Himes, one of the finest American novelists writing in the crime genre. Because Davis pushes his characterizations perilously close to stereotypes, the film will probably never receive the recognition it deserves. I think Davis manages to restrain the stereotyping at all the right moments, and the whole film comes together beautifully. In short, this is a true classic.

Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson are two black cops working out of a Harlem precinct. They've got their eyes on a minister promising his poor parishioners the opportunity to travel to Africa for $100. Jones and Johnson see Rev. Deke O'Malley for the scammer he really is. But things get complicated when, during a recruitment rally, the $87,000 the good Reverend has collected is stolen by armed bandits. The only clue about the money's whereabouts is that it's been hidden in a bale of cotton. Hot on the trail of the cotton bale are the mob, the police, Reverend O'Malley, a junk dealer, a militant black group, and just about everyone else in Harlem. The first true blaxploitation movie (there seems to be some disagreement, but I'm not sure how you could go with Sweet Sweetback's Badasssss Song as it was released a year later), Cotton Comes to Harlem is wonderfully entertaining from start to finish. It's a non-stop comedic slice of life in Harlem in the early 1970s. The movie is filled with eclectic characters, unique set-pieces, interesting music choices, and real life locations you just can't replicate on a sound-stage. The plot has so much going on that it never gets old. Ossie Davis didn't direct many films, but he does an amazing job with this, his first, effort. It's a more professional looking product than many of the blaxploitation films that would come later. The acting is a highlight and is as good as I've ever seen in a movie of this type. Godfrey Cambridge gives a memorable performance as policeman Gravedigger Jones. Cambridge manages to be the standout in a strong cast. His partner, Raymond St. Jacques as Coffin Ed Johnson, is rock solid. The pair are joined by Calvin Lockhart, the stunning Judy Pace, Redd Foxx, and a slew of familiar faces. The comedy in Cotton Comes to Harlem has held up surprisingly well. Some of it might be considered un-PC in today's overly sensitive world, but I still found myself laughing along with many scenes. Overall, it's a well made movie that I fell no hesitation in rating an 8/10.

Based on a novel by Chester Himes, Cotton Comes to Harlem boasts sharp dialogue and super performances from top to bottom. Cult favorites Calvin Lockhart and Redd Foxx are great, but the real fire belongs to the sublime Godfrey Cambridge as wise police detective Gravedigger Jones. The colorful story follows Gravedigger and his partner Coffin Ed Johnson (Raymond St. Jacques) as they keep tabs on charlatan evangelist Lockhart during his high-octane revival campaign. The film has solid action, but is also very funny. Upon seeing it, one will wonder why Cambridge never became a much bigger star.