A not so popular young man wants to pledge to a popular fraternity at his historically black college.
Director:
Writer:
Award:
- 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Laurence Fishburne | ... |
Dap Dunlap
(as Larry Fishburne)
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| Giancarlo Esposito | ... |
Julian 'Big Brother Almighty' Eaves
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| Tisha Campbell | ... |
Jane Toussaint
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Kyme | ... |
Rachel Meadows
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| Joe Seneca | ... |
President McPherson
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Ellen Holly | ... |
Odrie McPherson
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| Art Evans | ... |
Cedar Cloud
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| Ossie Davis | ... |
Coach Odom
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| Bill Nunn | ... |
Da Fella Grady
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| James Bond III | ... |
Da Fella Monroe
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| Branford Marsalis | ... |
Da Fella Jordan
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| Kadeem Hardison | ... |
Da Fella Edge
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| Eric Payne | ... |
Da Fella Booker T.
(as Eric A. Payne)
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| Spike Lee | ... |
Gammite Half-Pint
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Anthony Thompkins | ... |
Gammite Doo-Doo Breath
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| Guy Killum | ... |
Gammite Double Rubber
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| Dominic Hoffman | ... |
Gammite Mustafa
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| Roger Guenveur Smith | ... |
Gammite Yoda
(as Roger Smith)
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| Kirk Taylor | ... |
Gammite Sir Nose
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| Kevin Rock | ... |
Gammite Mussolini
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| Erik Dellums | ... |
Gammite Slim Daddy
(as Eric Dellums)
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| Darryl M. Bell | ... |
GammaPhiGamma Big Brother X-Ray Vision
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| Rusty Cundieff | ... |
GammaPhiGamma Big Brother Chucky
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Cylk Cozart | ... |
GammaPhiGamma Big Brother Dr. Feelgood
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Tim Hutchinson | ... |
GammaPhiGamma Big Brother Lance
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| Leonard L. Thomas | ... |
GammaPhiGamma Big Brother General George Patton
(as Leonard Thomas)
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| Joie Lee | ... |
Jigaboo Lizzie Life
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| Alva Rogers | ... |
Jigaboo Doris Witherspoon
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Delphine T. Mantz | ... |
Jigaboo Delphine
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Terri Lynette Whitlow | ... |
Jigaboo Terri
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Tanya Lynne Lee | ... |
Jigaboo Tanya
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Jacquelyn Bird | ... |
Jigaboo Jacquelyn
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Traci Tracey | ... |
Jigaboo Traci
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Sharon Ferrol-Young | ... |
Jigaboo Sharon
(as Sharon Ferrol)
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Laurnea Wilkerson | ... |
Jigaboo Laurnea
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Stephanie Clark | ... |
Jigaboo Stephanie
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Eartha Robinson | ... |
Jigaboo Eartha
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Angela Ali | ... |
GammaRay Velda
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Jhoe Breedlove | ... |
GammaRay Kim
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Paula Brown | ... |
GammaRay Miriam
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| Tyra Ferrell | ... |
GammaRay Tasha
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| Jasmine Guy | ... |
GammaRay Dina
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Karen Owens | ... |
GammaRay Deidre
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Michelle Whitney-Morrison | ... |
GammaRay Vivian
(as Michelle Whitney Morrison)
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Greta Martin | ... |
GammaRay Greta
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Sharon Owens | ... |
GammaRay Sharon
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Frances Morgan | ... |
GammaRay Frances
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| Monique Mannen | ... |
GammaRay Monique 'Mo-Freak'
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| Gregg Burge | ... |
Virgil Cloyd
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Cinqué Lee | ... |
Buckwheat
(as Cinque Lee)
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| Kasi Lemmons | ... |
Perry / Half-Pint's Female Friend
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| Toni Ann Johnson | ... |
Muriel / Half-Pint's Female Friend
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Paula Birth | ... |
Carla / Half-Pint's Female Friend
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Tracy Robinson | ... |
Roz / Half-Pint's Female Friend
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| A.J. Johnson | ... |
Cecilia / Girl in Window
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| Cassi Davis | ... |
Paula / Girl in Window
(as Cassandra Davis)
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Michelle M. Bailey | ... |
Tina / Girl in Window
(as Michelle Bailey)
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| Samuel L. Jackson | ... |
Leeds / Local Yokel
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Edward G. Bridges | ... |
Moses / Local Yokel
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Dennis Abrams | ... |
Eric / Local Yokel
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| Albert B. Cooper IV | ... |
Spoon / Local Yokel
(as Albert Cooper)
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Tracy Lewis | ... |
Counter Girl / Local Yokel
(as Tracey Lewis)
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Kelly Woolfolk | ... |
Vicky
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Florante P. Galvez | ... |
Student in Bathroom
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Leslie Sykes | ... |
Miss Mission College Court / Miss Mission
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Dawn Jackson | ... |
Miss Mission College Court / 1st Attendant
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Angela Lewis | ... |
Miss Mission College Court / 2nd Attendant
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| Bill Lee | ... |
Phyllis Hyman Quartet / Bass
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Consuela Lee Morehead | ... |
Phyllis Hyman Quartet / Piano
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Harold Vick | ... |
Phyllis Hyman Quartet / Saxophone
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Joe Chambers | ... |
Phyllis Hyman Quartet / Drums
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Valentino Jackson | ... |
EU Band / Guitar
(as Valentino 'Tino' Jackson)
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Mike Taylor | ... |
EU Band / Trombone
(as 'Go Go' Mike Taylor)
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Gregory 'Sugar Bear' Elliott | ... |
EU Band / Bass / Vocals
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Jenario Foxx | ... |
EU Band / Percussion
(as Jenario 'Foxy Brown' Foxx)
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Kent Wood | ... |
EU Band / Keyboards / Synthesizer
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Edward Henderson | ... |
EU Band / Percussion / Vocals
(as Edward 'Junie' Henderson)
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William 'Ju-Ju' House | ... |
EU Band / Drums
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Ivan Goff | ... |
EU Band / Keyboards
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Darryl Hayes | ... |
EU Band / Trumpet
(as Darryl 'Tidy' Hayes)
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Keith John | ... |
Singer at Coronation
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Reginald Tabor | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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| Robert L. Cole Jr. | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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Lester McCorn | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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William N. Ross | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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Keith Wright | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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Derek W. Jones | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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Harold L. Boyd III | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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Rod Hodge | ... |
Alpha Phi Alpha Member
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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J. White Burton | ... |
Student (uncredited)
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| Ricky Gordon | ... |
Marching Band Snare Drummer and Coordinator of The Mission College Marching Band (uncredited)
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Phyllis Hyman | ... |
Phyllis (uncredited)
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Andre' LaMont | ... |
Student Protestor (uncredited)
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| M.V. Oliphant | ... |
Dancer / Student Protester (uncredited)
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H. Kevin Russell | ... |
College Student (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Spike Lee | ... | (directed by) |
Written by
| Spike Lee | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Grace Blake | ... | executive producer |
| Loretha C. Jones | ... | co-producer |
| Spike Lee | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Monty Ross | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| Bill Lee | ... | (original music score) |
Cinematography by
| Ernest R. Dickerson | ... | (photographed by) (as Ernest Dickerson) |
Editing by
| Barry Alexander Brown | ||
Editorial Department
| Cinqué Lee | ... | apprentice editor |
| David Nelson | ... | apprentice editor |
| Noëlle Penraat | ... | negative matcher |
| Meredith Woods | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Robi Reed | ... | (casting) |
Production Design by
| Wynn Thomas | ... | (production design) |
Art Direction by
| Allan Trumpler | ||
Set Decoration by
| Lynn Wolverton-Parker | ... | (as Lynn Wolverton) |
Costume Design by
| Ruth E. Carter | ... | (costumes) (as Ruthe Carter) |
Makeup Department
| Larry M. Cherry | ... | hair assistant (as Larry Cherry) |
| Teddy Jenkins | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Janay Shabbaz | ... | assistant hair stylist / assistant makeup artist |
Production Management
| Matia Karrell | ... | production manager |
| Brian O'Kelley | ... | unit manager (as Brian O'Kelly) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Shirlene Alicia Blake | ... | additional assistant director |
| Parnes Cartwright | ... | additional second assistant director |
| Randy Fletcher | ... | first assistant director |
| Roderick Giles | ... | additional second assistant director |
| Lisa Jones | ... | additional second assistant director |
| David Taylor | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| George Balomes | ... | scenic artist |
| Everett Douglas | ... | construction crew |
| David Elliot | ... | best boy |
| Ron Goldsmith | ... | set dresser |
| Harley Gould | ... | construction crew |
| John Harris | ... | assistant art director |
| Michael Hitchcock | ... | sculptor |
| Rhett Johnson | ... | construction crew |
| John R. Johnston | ... | construction crew (as John Johnson) |
| Gretchen Kibbe | ... | scenic artist |
| Irby Langley | ... | construction coordinator |
| Alba Leone | ... | lead person |
| Suzi Margolin | ... | property master |
| Anthony 'Wolf' Mays | ... | construction crew chief |
| Bruce Morton | ... | property production assistant |
| Michael Shannon | ... | set dresser |
| Suzanne Silver | ... | scenic artist |
| Tyler Smith | ... | sculptor |
| Christine A. Soloperto | ... | assistant property master (as Christine Soloperto) |
| Pam Stephens | ... | art department production assistant |
| Brian Stultz | ... | scenic construction |
| Buckey Weatherall | ... | master carpenter |
| Mark Welch | ... | scenic artist |
| Richard Blake Wester | ... | set dresser (as Richard Webster) |
| Terry Woods | ... | construction crew (as Terry Wood) |
| Edward Hotchkiss | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Johnny Thigpen | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Stuart Deutsch | ... | boom operator |
| Michael DiCosimo | ... | dolby stereo consultant (as Michael V. DiCosimo) |
| Harriet Fidlow | ... | looping editor (as Harriet Fidlow Winn) |
| Tom Fleischman | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Rudy Gaskins | ... | assistant sound editor |
| J. Kathleen Gibson | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Kenton Jakub | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Bruce Kitzmeyer | ... | foley editor |
| Dan Korintus | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Kevin Lee | ... | sound editor |
| Peter Odabashian | ... | sound editor |
| Rolf Pardula | ... | sound mixer |
| Leander T. Sales | ... | apprentice sound editor (as Leander Sales) |
| Maurice Schell | ... | sound designer |
| Ira Spiegel | ... | sound editor |
| Alex Steyermark | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Brunilda Torres | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Leo Trombetta | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Marko A. Costanzo | ... | foley artist (uncredited) |
| George A. Lara | ... | foley mixer (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Norman Andrews | ... | first assistant second camera |
| Louis 'Bolaji' Bailey | ... | grip production assistant |
| Larry Banks | ... | gaffer |
| Bill Bennett | ... | grip |
| Alton Brown | ... | steadicam operator |
| Allan Bullard | ... | pre-rig grip |
| Ron Burchfield | ... | pre-rig grip |
| Marivee Cade | ... | pre-rig gaffer (as Marifee Cade) |
| Addison Cook | ... | fifth electrician |
| Sam Enriquez | ... | second assistant camera (as Sam Enriques) |
| Eddie Evans | ... | pre-rig grip |
| Carl Johnson | ... | third electrician |
| Mustapha Khan | ... | second assistant camera: second unit |
| David Lee | ... | still photographer |
| Scott W. Leftridge | ... | dolly grip (as Scott Leftridge) |
| Todd MacNicholl | ... | key grip (as Todd McNichol) |
| John F. Massie | ... | fourth electrician (as John Massey) |
| Tully McCulloch | ... | best boy grip |
| Mark Moore | ... | best boy electric |
| LeRoy Patton | ... | second camera operator (as Leroi Patton) |
| D.L. 'Pete' Peterson | ... | generator operator (as Dennis 'Pete' Peterson) |
| Frank Prinzi | ... | second camera operator |
| Larry Robertson | ... | lighting designer: concert/pre-rig gaffer |
| Bob Shuford | ... | grip (as Robert Shuford) |
| Karma Stanley | ... | first assistant camera |
| Marcus Turner | ... | second assistant camera: second unit |
| Mike West | ... | additional first assistant camera b |
| Daniel Aguar | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Nate Ranger | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Hillary Francais | ... | casting assistant (as Hillary Brook Français) |
| Lee Solomon | ... | casting assistant |
| Mikki Powell | ... | casting assistant: Los Angeles (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Jennifer Ingram | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Patrice Johnson | ... | costume assistant |
| Cassandra McShepard | ... | costume designer: Phyllis Hyman's gown |
| Rebecca Schaeffer | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Willi Smith | ... | costume designer: Miss Mission College court gowns |
Location Management
| Tyrone Harris | ... | location scout |
Music Department
| Branford Marsalis | ... | musician |
| Consuela Lee Morehead | ... | assistant music supervisor |
| James 'Jabbo' Ware | ... | music copyist |
| Louis Cerborino | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Mindy Rodman | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Louis 'Bolaji' Bailey | ... | driver |
| William Butler | ... | driver (as Bill Butler) |
| Albert B. Cooper IV | ... | transportation coordinator (as Albert Cooper) |
| John Monroe | ... | driver |
| Arnold Shipman | ... | driver (as Arnold 'Jig Master' Shipman) |
| Victor Townsend | ... | driver |
| Erwin Wilson | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
| Tony Bingham | ... | intern |
| Zelmer Bothic | ... | technical advisor: fraternity life (as Zelmer 'Z-Dog' Bothic) |
| Tommie Burns | ... | intern |
| James Cheeseman | ... | piano tuner |
| Willa Clinton | ... | unit publicist |
| Luther Conley | ... | intern |
| Jeffrey Cooper | ... | office production assistant (as Jeff Cooper) |
| Miranda Dowdy | ... | intern |
| Stanley Forman | ... | consultant / photo researcher |
| Dyane Harvey | ... | assistant choreographer |
| Felicia 'Fifi' Hopkins | ... | intern |
| Alison Howard-Smith | ... | assistant production office coordinator |
| Graig Hutchison | ... | auditor (as Graig Hutchinson) |
| Pamm R. Jackson | ... | assistant: Spike Lee (as Pamm Jackson) |
| Stephanie Lynn Jones | ... | set production assistant (as Stephanie Jones) |
| Steve Jones | ... | office coordinator: New York |
| Kim Kearse | ... | intern |
| Mustapha Khan | ... | set production assistant |
| Skip Mason | ... | historical consultant (as Herman 'Skip' Mason Jr.) / researcher (as Herman 'Skip' Mason Jr.) |
| Reni Mosley | ... | intern |
| Donell Nelson | ... | intern (as Donnell Nelson) |
| Eric Oden | ... | assistant auditor |
| Dale Pierce-Johnson | ... | production office coordinator |
| Joseph Rodman | ... | production assistant / set production assistant (as Joe Rodman) |
| H. Kevin Russell | ... | production assistant (as Kevin Russell) |
| Otis Sallid | ... | choreographer |
| Robert Abbott Sengstacke | ... | historical consultant (as Robert Sengstacke) / researcher (as Robert Sengstacke) |
| Mevelyn Shannon | ... | intern |
| Art Sims | ... | logo design: 11: 24 Design & Advertising |
| Angela Carla Smith | ... | intern |
| Alton Strange | ... | intern |
| Sheila Tenney | ... | intern |
| Tracey Willard | ... | production secretary |
| Randall Balsmeyer | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
| Tom Burns | ... | intern (uncredited) |
| Dale M. Nielsen | ... | production coordinator (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Norman Bielowicz | ... | many thanks |
| Giorgio di Sant'Angelo | ... | thanks |
| Perry Ellis | ... | thanks |
| Marithé et François Girbaud | ... | thanks |
| Kwame Olantunji | ... | in memory of |
| Willi Smith | ... | in memory of |
| Harold Vick | ... | in memory of |
| Wendell Whalum | ... | in memory of (as Dr. Wendall P. Whalum) |
Production Companies
- Columbia Pictures (presents)
- 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1988) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures of Canada (1988) (Canada) (theatrical)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1988) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Columbia Pictures (1988) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Video (1989) (Japan) (VHS)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (United States) (DVD)
- Fox Columbia TriStar Films (1988) (Australia) (theatrical)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1988) (Australia) (video)
- The Criterion Channel (2024) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
Special Effects
- The Optical House (opticals)
- Film Effects (opticals)
Other Companies
- Frankfurt, Garbus, Klein and Selz (legal services)
- Tobin & Associates (publicity)
- Location Catering (catering)
- Sound One (sound re-recording)
- Marie Enterprises (costumes: GammaRay death march)
- Audio Services (sound equipment)
- Special Projects Inc. (scenery construction)
- G. Michaels of North Carolina (floats built by)
- Completion Bond Company (completion guarantor)
- Balsmeyer and Everett (titles created and designed by)
- RCA Recording Studios (music recorded at)
- Arena Swimwear (thanks)
- Miriam Haskell Jewels (thanks)
- United Colors of Benetton (thanks)
- Street Scene (thanks)
- Adidas (thanks)
- Willie Wear (thanks)
- Converse (thanks)
- L.A. Gear (thanks)
- The Chocolate Soup (thanks)
- Ivy Images (thanks)
- French Connection (thanks)
- Deefoot by Omnisports (thanks)
- Yvette Marie Enterprises (thanks)
- Eastern Airlines (thanks)
- Air Atlanta (thanks)
- Nike (thanks)
- Regency (thanks)
- Ranor (thanks)
- Ramada Inn (thanks)
- Romar Apparel Group (thanks)
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (photo research)
- New York Public Library (photo research)
- Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations, New York Public Library (photo research)
- Wide World Photos (photo research)
- Georgia Film & Videotape Office (many thanks)
- EMI Manhattan Records (soundtrack)
- Dolby Stereo (Dolby Stereo, in selected theatres)
- Technological Cinevideo Services (TCS) (camera equipment provided by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In the South of the United States are taking place confrontations between two groups of students who have different ideas and are not able to accept the one of the opponent. Written by Volker Boehm |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
| Also Known As |
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Box Office
| Budget | $6,500,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $1,802,656, 15 Feb 1988 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Spike Lee had the actors stay in separate hotels during filming. The actors playing the "wannabes" had better accommodation than those playing the "jigaboos", which contributed to the on-camera animosity between the two camps. The step show scene was the result of that animosity. According to Lee, the fight between the jigaboos and wannabes was real. See more » |
| Goofs | During "I Don't Want To Be Alone Tonight," the Gamma Rays' black gloves go from above the elbow, to below the elbow, and back again between shots. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into The Rays: Be Alone Tonight (1988). See more » |
| Soundtracks | I'm Building Me a Home See more » |
| Quotes |
Rachel Meadows:
[as the "Jiggaboos" and the "Wannabes" encounter each other in the hallway]
The word is "Excuse me." Jane Toussaint: No one told you to stand in the hall, either. "Excuse me." Rachel Meadows: That's better, Ms. Thing. Doris Witherspoon: [as Jane turns and flips her hair] It's not real! Dina: [as the Jiggaboos laugh] Say what? Lizzie Life: You heard Rachel Meadows: It... ain't... even... real. Jane Toussaint: You wish you had hair like this. Doris Witherspoon: Girl, you know you weren't even born with blue eyes! Lizzie Life: That's right. Blue contact lenses. Dina: They're just jealous! Rachel Meadows: Jealous? Jane Toussaint: Rachel! I've been watching you look at Julian. You're not slick. Rachel Meadows: If that was true, he wasn't much to look at. [Snaps fingers] Doris Witherspoon: Mmm-hmm. Tell her, girl! Jane Toussaint: Picaninny! Doris Witherspoon: Barbie doll! Rachel Meadows: High-yellow heifer! Dina: Tar baby! Lizzie Life: Wannabe white! Kim: Jiggaboo! Rachel Meadows: Don't start! Jane Toussaint: We're gonna finish it! See more » |