Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)

Two Harlem cops investigate a robbery, believing that a reverend has staged it in order to steal the money he's collected for a local fundraiser.

Director:

Ossie Davis

Writers:

Chester Himes (based upon the novel by), Arnold Perl (screenplay)

Stars:

Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St. Jacques, Calvin Lockhart

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Godfrey Cambridge	...	Grave Digger Jones
Raymond St. Jacques	...	Coffin Ed Johnson
Calvin Lockhart	...	Rev. Deke O'Malley
Judy Pace	...	Iris
Redd Foxx	...	Uncle Budd / Booker Washington Sims
Emily Yancy	...	Mabel
John Anderson	...	Capt. Bryce
Lou Jacobi	...	Goodman
Eugene Roche	...	Lt. Anderson
J.D. Cannon	...	Calhoun
Mabel Robinson	...	Billie
Dick Sabol	...	Jarema
Cleavon Little	...	Lo Boy
Teddy Wilson	...	Barry (as Theodore Wilson)
Maxwell Glanville	...	Caspar

Storyline

Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson are two black cops with a reputation for breaking the odd head. Both are annoyed at the success of the Reverend Deke O'Mailey who is selling trips back to Africa to the poor on the installment plan. When his truck is hijacked and a bale of cotton stuffed with money is lost in the chase, Harlem is turned upside down by Gravedigger and Coffin Ed, the Reverend, and the hijackers. Much of the humor is urban black, which was unusual in 1970.

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Plot Keywords:

pool hall | cigar smoking | shoulder holster | shoulder | shot with flare gun | 

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Taglines:

Introducing COFFIN ED and GRAVEDIGGER, two detectives only a mother could love.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film features five actors that appeared on TV show Good Times. They include Calvin Lockhart, Judy Pace, Teddy Wilson, Helen Martin and Vernee Watson.

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Goofs

When Jarema puts on the paper bag, there is only one hole cut out - for his nose. Moments later, when he runs out into the hall, the bag now has eyeholes as well.

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Quotes

[people outside police station demanding O'Malley return their money]
Coffin Ed: Digger and I will do our damnedest to get your money back. We promise.
Rioter: Promises! Hell with promises!
Gravedigger Jones: Anybody out there ever hear of Coffin Ed or the Gravedigger make a promise we didn't keep?
[Crowd gets quiet]
Coffin Ed: Now, we may have broken some heads, but we never broke no promises.

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Connections

Referenced in Harlem Aria (1999)

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Soundtracks

Salvation
Music by Galt MacDermot
Lyrics by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Sung by Melba Moore

User Reviews

its a good movie

Cotton Comes To Harlem is a good movie. The actors and actresses are good plus redd foxx who plays uncle budd he's funny. I'm a big redd foxx fan! the movie and story line is ok!

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 May 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cotton Comes to Harlem

Filming Locations:

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Formosa Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (DeLuxe Color)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1