Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (1974)

In 1956 Ohio, the head of a lucrative numbers game is pursued by both the mob and the local police. (Josiah Howard, "Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference guide.")

Director:

Bill Brame

Writers:

Howard Ransom (original story), Elizabeth Ransom (original story),

Stars:

Frank DeKova, Paul Harris, Frances E. Williams

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frank DeKova	...	Big Tony (as Frank deKova)
Paul Harris	...	Pasha
Frances E. Williams	...	Moma Lottie (as Frances Williams)
Reginald Farmer	...	Sweetman
Don Edmondson	...	Serene (as Tawny Tan)
Larry Greene	...	Jimmy Rush
Ernie Lee Banks	...	DuDirty (as Ernie Banks)
Karmello Brooks	...	Romaine
Henry G. Sanders	...	Sam Kingston (as Henry Sanders)
Pat Edwards	...	Pearl
Terry Ransom	...	Little Billy Jones
Curtis Price	...	Nathan Jones
Onezene 'Ben' Geyen	...	Reverend Axle
Ronald Ransom	...	Gambler
Cal Wilson	...	Young Dude

Storyline

In 1956 Ohio, the head of a lucrative numbers game is pursued by both the mob and the local police. (Josiah Howard, "Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference guide.")

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Plot Keywords:

sex | belly dance | criminal organization | belly dancer | throat slitting | 

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Taglines:

Feeling great...Walking tall...Hit my number, That's all!

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Genres:

Action

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Get Nigger Rich on Number 666

Company Credits

Production Co:

First American Films, Ransom

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min 86 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

This movie is set in 1956, yet one boy has on a LA Dodgers baseball cap. The Dodgers did not move to Los Angeles until 1958.

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Connections

Featured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 4 (1997)

User Reviews

A numbers king pin tries to stay in business as the mafia and police close in around him. Its a below poverty production that is decent but deserving of a bigger budget

This is a low budget, made on the cheap film that does possess some charm. The problem is that it meanders all over the place and never picks up any real steam. The plot begins with a sit down between Pasha and his Italian gangster counter part Big Tony (played by the top billed Frank DeKova aka Chief Wild Eagle from F-Troop in the first of his two scenes). Tony tells Pasha he has to hand everything over to him and his boys or they will kill him. Pasha's girl kills Tony's man, which you would think woulds spark a gang war, it doesn't, instead it spurs the Mayor to try and close Pasha down. This leads to the numbers operation being moved, police raids and some talk about fighting back. The Italian mob does try to kill Pasha but it never amounts to much. This is a black-ploitation crime drama that is short on action.

The problem seems to be that they had almost no money to make this movie. its suppose to be set in 1956 but people wear clothes from the 1970's and the streets are filled with cars made well after 56. I'm guessing that they couldn't afford any money for blanks, or if they did they didn't have very many. What violence there is tends to be fist fights or beatings, which can be very bloody. Its disappointing especially after the opening scene. I had the sense while watching it that this was suppose to be a larger, more detailed story (there are details hanging off the screen that seem to connect to a longer story) and it wasn't filmed because of money or the film was unfinished.

Its a messy movie but I liked it. The writing is at times sharp and witty, even if the cast isn't up to it. There are numerous lines of dialog that deserve to be quoted. You have a bunch of interesting characters that seem very real. I also liked that the plot never went where you expected it to go, even though it became clear early this was headed for left field by a completely new route. Its best described as a low budget attempt at something other than your typical crime drama (black or white). No it won't win any awards but if you're an adventurous film goer it deserves to be seen, if for no other reason than to imagine it remade by Mario Van Peebles, Quentin Tarantino or the Hughes Brothers. You probably won't rave, but it will stick in your head.