Five on the Black Hand Side (1973)

Director:

Oscar Williams

Writers:

Charlie L. Russell (screenplay), Charlie L. Russell (play)

Stars:

Godfrey Cambridge, Clarice Taylor, Leonard Jackson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Godfrey Cambridge	...	Himself
Clarice Taylor	...	Mrs. Brooks
Leonard Jackson	...	Mr. Brooks
Virginia Capers	...	Ruby
Glynn Turman	...	Gideon
D'Urville Martin	...	Booker T.
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Preston (as Richard Williams)
Sonny Jim Gaines	...	Sweetmeat (as Sonny Jim)
Ja'net DuBois	...	Stormy Monday
Bonnie Banfield	...	Gail
Frankie Crocker	...	Rolls Royce
Tchaka Almoravids	...	Fun Loving
Carl Franklin	...	Marvin (as Carl Mikal Franklin)
Cal Wilson	...	Hasaan
Philomena Nowlin	...	Katheryn

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

wedding | blaxploitation | barbershop | family relationships | african american

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Taglines:

You've been coffy-tized, blacula-rized and super-flied - but now you're gonna be glorified, unified and filled-with-pride... when you see "Five on the Black Hand Side"

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 1973 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Five Hand Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

"Five on the Black Hand Side" Written by H.B. Barnum

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Connections

Referenced in Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio (2008)

User Reviews

I saw the film in 1973 and in 2004.

A light comedy that touched on subjects very real at the time. The production seems rough around the edges by todays standards but in comparison to others at the time typical. The setting could be in the northeast, or the west, or the south. The actors are originals whose parts were copied and polished over and over for the next ten years. What might be considered a little corny today was closer to actuality then. Perhaps we are more cynical now but on the other hand I see similarities Between this films underlying themes and a couple of the newer films of this type. Maybe we could go back to warm comedies that speak of our issues, maybe we have. See it while it is still available. One of my favorites. A classic of the time.