Black gangsters in 1930 Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket.
Director:
Bill DukeWriter:
Chris Brancato
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Title: Hoodlum (1997)
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7 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Laurence Fishburne | ... | Bumpy Johnson | |
| Tim Roth | ... | Dutch Schultz | |
| Vanessa Williams | ... | Francine Hughes | |
| Andy Garcia | ... | Lucky Luciano | |
| Cicely Tyson | ... | Stephanie St. Clair | |
| Chi McBride | ... | Illinois Gordon | |
| Clarence Williams III | ... | Bub Hewlett | |
| Richard Bradford | ... | Captain Foley | |
| William Atherton | ... | Thomas Dewey | |
| Loretta Devine | ... | Pigfoot Mary | |
| Queen Latifah | ... | Sulie | |
| Mike Starr | ... | Albert Salke | |
| Beau Starr | ... | Jules Salke | |
| Paul Benjamin | ... | Whispers | |
 |
Joe Guzaldo | ... | Bo Weinberg |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The film focuses on the war of two gangs in 1930s Harlem for the control of illegal gaming - one headed by black strategic godfather Bumpy Johnson and another by white ruthless hothead Dutch Schultz. Negotiations proposed by white syndicate boss Lucky Luciano never get under way, blood flows and Johnson gets jailed. When Johnson is paroled, he gets the work of enforcer for mighty Stephanie "The Queen" St. Clair. She is also jailed for racketeering and when she leaves she makes him promise "no violence". Written by Anonymous
Plot Keywords:
1930s | gangster | great depression | street shootout | irish american |Taglines:
Power is measured in enemies. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for graphic ganster violence, strong language, a scene of sexuality and some nudity | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 August 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Gangster See more »Filming Locations:
Between Cermak Road & 23rd Street, Michigan Avenue, Near South Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$30,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$8,162,768, 1 September 1997, Wide ReleaseGross USA:
$23,461,013, 9 November 1997Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Bumpy Johnson: I mean, what would you have me do? Shine shoes? Carry shoes down at Grand Central? I'm a colored man, and white folks ain't left me nothing out here but the underworld.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Francine is loosely based on the real-life wife of Bumpy Johnson. See more »Goofs
The penitentiary shown in the opening shot of the film is not Sing Sing Prison. See more »Quotes
Francine Hughes: I have one question. Why you gotta involve yourself in numbers?Bumpy Johnson: I mean, what would you have me do? Shine shoes? Carry shoes down at Grand Central? I'm a colored man, and white folks ain't left me nothing out here but the underworld.
See more »
Connections
Featured in At the Movies: She's So Lovely/Hoodlum/Excess Baggage/Paperback Romance/M/Le Samurai (1997) See more »Contribute to This Page
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I had this movie on homemade VHS for a while and just received the DVD.
Mesmerizing!!! Beautifully Filmed! Hats off to Bill Duke - another very distinguished African-American director!! Once you get past the fact that the movie is FILLED with phenomenal performances from the likes of Laurence Fishburne, Andy Garcia, Tim Roth, Vanessa Williams. Queen Latifah, Loretta Devine, Clarence Williams III, and of course, Miss Cicely Tyson you also discover a gem of a movie.
It follows the exploits of a 30s Harlem gangster Bumpy Johnson. Fishburne reminds you of why he is such a charismatic actor. His performance here is one you can watch over and over again. Of course the movie may have been exaggerated but what movie isn't?! It is a very stylized presentation and the obvious attention to detail to create the look and the feel of the period help intensify the viewing experience.
I am quite proud of the production and highly recommend it become part of your movie collection. Notwitstanding that is a worthy project, there are treasures of performances here that warrant attention.