The Sophisticated Gents (TV 1981)

Successful black men who were saved from the streets as teenagers come together in a reunion to honor their mentor.

Director:

Harry Falk

Writers:

Phyllis Minoff (story), Melvin Van Peebles,

Stars:

Sonny Jim Gaines, Paul Winfield, Bernie Casey

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sonny Jim Gaines	...	Coach Charles 'Chappie' Davis
Paul Winfield	...	Richard 'Bubbles' Wiggins
Bernie Casey	...	Shurley Walker
Roosevelt Grier	...	Cudjo Evers
Thalmus Rasulala	...	Snake
Robert Hooks	...	Ezra 'Chops' Jackson
Raymond St. Jacques	...	D'Artagnan 'Dart' Parks
Ron O'Neal	...	Clarence 'Claire' Henderson
Melvin Van Peebles	...	Walter 'Moon' Porter / Silky
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Ralph Joplin
Rosalind Cash	...	Christine Jackson
Ja'net DuBois	...	Onetha Wiggins
Alfre Woodard	...	Evelyn Evers
Joanna Miles	...	Sandra
Janet MacLachlan	...	Diane Walker

Storyline

Nine members of an athletic social club for black youth reunite twenty-five years later to honor their former coach, but the reunion is marred by a number of undercurrents, including a murder investigation.

---

Plot Keywords:

based on novel

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 1981 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daniel Wilson Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

240 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in 1979.

User Reviews

best tv mini-series ever

in 1981 as the series aired i was magnetized to the screen. all of my 'main men' starred in The Sophisticated Gents...Winfield, Hooks, O'Neal, Rasulala...the story had depth and creditability...the acting was great and all characters were unique and well-developed...i have longed to see it again and again...glad was i to have the novel by John A Williams, The Junior Bachelor Society, from which Van Peebles developed the teleplay...the story was powerful and controversial for that time...many have missed a great series