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Harlem Nights (1989) 5.5
Ratings:
5.5/10 from 9,857 users
Metascore: 16/100
Reviews: 48 user | 17 critic | 14 from Metacritic.com "Sugar" Ray is the owner of an illegal casino, who contend with the pressures of vicious gangster and corrupt policemen who want to see him go out of business. In the world of organized ... See full summary » Director:Eddie MurphyWriter:Eddie Murphy |
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Title: Harlem Nights (1989)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Eddie Murphy | ... | ||
| Richard Pryor | ... | ||
| Redd Foxx | ... | ||
| Danny Aiello | ... | ||
| Michael Lerner | ... | ||
| Della Reese | ... |
Vera
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| Berlinda Tolbert | ... |
Annie
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| Stan Shaw | ... |
Jack Jenkins
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| Jasmine Guy | ... |
Dominique La Rue
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| Vic Polizos | ... |
Richie Vento
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| Lela Rochon | ... |
Sunshine
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| David Marciano | ... |
Tony
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| Arsenio Hall | ... | ||
| Thomas Mikal Ford | ... |
Tommy Smalls
(as Tommy Ford)
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Uncle Ray Murphy | ... |
Willie
(as Uncle Ray)
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
"Sugar" Ray is the owner of an illegal casino, who contend with the pressures of vicious gangster and corrupt policemen who want to see him go out of business. In the world of organized crime and police corruption in the 1920s, any dastardly trick is fair! Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
Taglines:
They're up to something big.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
17 November 1989 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Los reyes de la noche See more »Box Office
Budget:
$30,000,000 (estimated)Gross:
$60,864,870 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Young Quick: My mama's dead.
Sugar Ray: Well, your daddy?
Young Quick: My father's dead, too.
Sugar Ray: Did you kill 'em?
Young Quick: No, they just dead.
See more »
Music by Fred E. Ahlert
Lyrics by Joe Young
Performed by Buddy Clark with Nat Brandwynne
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
"Harlem Nights" was also the working title for Ralph Bakshi's film, Coonskin. Both films feature the crime racket in Harlem as a plot point. Star Richard Pryor was also believed to be a fan of "Coonskin." See more »Goofs
When Quick is shown driving his car, it appears to be a 1940 Packard Coupe. The film supposedly takes place in 1938. See more »Quotes
Sugar Ray: I'm gonna take this little boy home to his mother.Young Quick: My mama's dead.
Sugar Ray: Well, your daddy?
Young Quick: My father's dead, too.
Sugar Ray: Did you kill 'em?
Young Quick: No, they just dead.
See more »
Soundtracks
"Take My Heart"Music by Fred E. Ahlert
Lyrics by Joe Young
Performed by Buddy Clark with Nat Brandwynne
See more »
The most common thing critics said to trash Harlem Nights was that it was too profane to be set in 1938. Well, this statement here was completely without logic. Two points to back myself up:
1. In almost every 1930's/40's/50's gangster movie, the characters
are very profane. Look at any movie directed by Martin Scorcese and starring Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci for evidence of this
2. What do you expect from a movie starring Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Redd Foxx? If you expect these three men to watch their language, you are truly a stranger in the ways of their material
As for the movie's sexist feel, I cannot dispute this. However, I can defend it. I am not a sexist young man despite being only
twenty-one years of age. I feel that women should have the same rights as men. However, I think Eddie Murphy was young and dumb and only felt the way he did because he was not mature enough to understand women. Now he is happily married and expecting his fifth child, so I think he is a little wiser today.
As for one review I read that said every white man was a bigot in this movie. Guys, come on, it's Harlem in 1938!
Despite all of this, the movie is a well-made, well-characterized, entertaining film. It was taken too seriously when it was first released, and I'm glad many people here seem to agree with me.
The plot concerns Sugar Ray (Pryor, who was sadly the only disappointing performer here) and his adopted son Vernest Brown, a.k.a. Quick (Murphy) owners of the hottest nightclub in Harlem. It becomes the target of gangster Bugsy Calhoune (an impressive performance by Michael Learner) and his buddy Sgt. Phil Cantone (A terrific Danny Aiello). They plot with their employees to scam him out of his money by placing a fake bet on a boxing match and leave Harlem.
The movie is not without plot holes and the occasional bad line of dialogue, but other than that, it's funny and entertaining. A particular highlight are Foxx's nearsighted Bennie Wilson and Reese's Vera Walker, who exchange profane banter throughout the film, which is hilarious. A cameo by longtime Murphy friend Arsenio Hall (whom I usually dislike) as a crybaby mobster is also very funny. Don't listen to the critics, this movie is funny as hell!