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Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)

R  97 min  -  Action | Comedy   -  27 May 1970 (USA)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 650 users  
Reviews: 24 user | 11 critic

Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson are two black cops with a reputation for breaking the odd head... See full summary »

Director:

Ossie Davis

Writers:

Ossie Davis, Chester Himes (novel), and 1 more credit »

Stars:

Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St. Jacques and Calvin Lockhart
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Godfrey Cambridge Godfrey Cambridge ...
Raymond St. Jacques Raymond St. Jacques ...
Calvin Lockhart Calvin Lockhart ...
Rev. Deke O'Malley
Judy Pace Judy Pace ...
Iris
Redd Foxx ...
Uncle Bud / Booker Washington Sims
Emily Yancy Emily Yancy ...
Mabel
John Anderson John Anderson ...
Bryce
Lou Jacobi Lou Jacobi ...
Goodman
Eugene Roche ...
Anderson
J.D. Cannon J.D. Cannon ...
Calhoun
Mabel Robinson Mabel Robinson ...
Billie
Dick Sabol Dick Sabol ...
Jarema
Cleavon Little ...
Lo Boy
Teddy Wilson Teddy Wilson ...
Barry (as Theodore Wilson)
Maxwell Glanville Maxwell Glanville ...
Caspar
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson are two black cops with a reputation for breaking the odd head. Both are annoyed at the success of the Reverend Deke O'Mailey who is selling trips back to Africa to the poor on the installment plan. When his truck is hijacked and a bale of cotton stuffed with money is lost in the chase, Harlem is turned upside down by Gravedigger and Coffin Ed, the Reverend, and the hijackers. Much of the humor is urban black, which was unusual in 1970. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Black Cop | Cotton | Chase | Police | Swahili  | See more »

Taglines:

Introducing COFFIN ED and GRAVEDIGGER, two detectives only a mother could love.

Genres:

Action | Comedy

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Official Sites:

MGM | Add/edit official sites  »

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Algodón en Harlem See more »

Filming Locations:

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Formosa Productions See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Goofs

Continuity: When Jarema puts on the paper bag, there is only one hole cut out - for his nose. Moments later, when he runs out into the hall, the bag now has eyeholes as well. See more »

Quotes

Iris: [disguised as old woman to escape from jail] Where's my pastor? Where's my pastor? What did you do with my pastor?
Jarema: Wait a minute, hold it, just a minute, now! How the hell did you get in here?
Gravedigger Jones: She's with the delegation, don't you remember?
Iris: If ya'll don't give me back my pastor I'm gonna punch you in the stomach with this umbrella!
Jarema: Now, watch it, lady.
Gravedigger Jones: O'Malley ain't here. He's been released.
Iris: Gimme back my pastor!
Gravedigger Jones: O'Malley ain't here, I tell you, and if you don't get the hell outta here with all that noise I'm gonna jail you.
[Iris leaves]
Gravedigger Jones: And stay out!
[...]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Baadasssss Cinema (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

"Salvation"
Music by Galt MacDermot
Lyrics by Paul Laurence Dubar
Sung by Melba Moore See more »