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    Hoodlum

    • 19971997
    • RR
    • 2h 10min
    IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Laurence Fishburne, Andy Garcia, and Tim Roth in Hoodlum (1997)
    CrimeDrama

    Black gangsters in 1930 Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket.Black gangsters in 1930 Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket.Black gangsters in 1930 Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket.Black gangsters in 1930 Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket.Black gangsters in 1930 Harlem fights Dutch Schultz who is trying to horn in on their numbers racket.

    • Director
      • Bill Duke
    • Writer
      • Chris Brancato
    • Stars
      • Laurence Fishburne
      • Tim Roth
      • Vanessa Williams
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Bill Duke
    • Writer
      • Chris Brancato
    • Stars
      • Laurence Fishburne
      • Tim Roth
      • Vanessa Williams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 61User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 7 nominations

    Photos70

    Laurence Fishburne in Hoodlum (1997)
    Andy Garcia in Hoodlum (1997)
    Tim Roth in Hoodlum (1997)
    Andy Garcia in Hoodlum (1997)
    Clarence Williams III in Hoodlum (1997)
    Laurence Fishburne and Andy Garcia in Hoodlum (1997)
    Cicely Tyson in Hoodlum (1997)
    Vanessa Williams in Hoodlum (1997)
    Chi McBride in Hoodlum (1997)
    Laurence Fishburne, Tim Roth, Cicely Tyson, Eddie Bo Smith Jr., J.W. Smith, and Clarence Williams III in Hoodlum (1997)
    Laurence Fishburne, Tim Roth, and Dick Gjonola in Hoodlum (1997)
    Laurence Fishburne and Vanessa Williams in Hoodlum (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Laurence Fishburne
    Laurence Fishburne
    • Bumpy Johnsonas Bumpy Johnson
    Tim Roth
    Tim Roth
    • Dutch Schultzas Dutch Schultz
    Vanessa Williams
    Vanessa Williams
    • Francine Hughesas Francine Hughes
    Andy Garcia
    Andy Garcia
    • Lucky Lucianoas Lucky Luciano
    Cicely Tyson
    Cicely Tyson
    • Stephanie St. Clairas Stephanie St. Clair
    Chi McBride
    Chi McBride
    • Illinois Gordonas Illinois Gordon
    Clarence Williams III
    Clarence Williams III
    • Bub Hewlettas Bub Hewlett
    Richard Bradford
    Richard Bradford
    • Captain Foleyas Captain Foley
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Thomas Deweyas Thomas Dewey
    Loretta Devine
    Loretta Devine
    • Pigfoot Maryas Pigfoot Mary
    Queen Latifah
    Queen Latifah
    • Sulieas Sulie
    Mike Starr
    Mike Starr
    • Albert Salkeas Albert Salke
    Beau Starr
    Beau Starr
    • Jules Salkeas Jules Salke
    Paul Benjamin
    Paul Benjamin
    • Whispersas Whispers
    Joe Guzaldo
    • Bo Weinbergas Bo Weinberg
    Ed O'Ross
    Ed O'Ross
    • Lulu Rosenkrantzas Lulu Rosenkrantz
    J.W. Smith
    • Calvinas Calvin
    Eddie Bo Smith Jr.
    • Tee-Ninchyas Tee-Ninchy
    • Director
      • Bill Duke
    • Writer
      • Chris Brancato
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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". —Anonymous
    1930sgangstergreat depressionstreet shootoutirish american67 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Power is measured in enemies.
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for graphic ganster violence, strong language, a scene of sexuality and some nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, Dutch Schultz, Lucky Luciano, and Stephanie St. Clair existed in real life, the movie is fictional and only loosely based on incidents in their lives during this time period. Many other characters, including Francine Hughes, Captain Foley, and Calvin, are wholly fictional.
    • Goofs
      While Bumpy and Madame St. Claire are listening to opera on the Victrola, the record playing displays the Okeh label. Okeh Records, founded in 1918 recorded mainly middle-of-the road popular music, standards, light classical and blues, but not opera.
    • Quotes

      Bumpy Johnson: You've been warned. Get ready for your final thrill. It's curtains, Dutch. The jig is up.

      Dutch Schultz: You're a dead fuckin' nigger!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: She's So Lovely/Hoodlum/Excess Baggage/Paperback Romance/M/Le Samurai (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
      Written by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills

      Performed by Laurnea Wilkerson

      Laurnea Wilkerson appears courtesy of Yab Yum Entertainment

    User reviews61

    Review
    Top review
    Great Film
    I really enjoyed this film. As far as crime dramas go it is up there with The Godfather to me. Laurence Fishburne was great in his role as Bumpy Johnson. Tim Roth gave a great performance also.

    The film did a great job portraying the inner turmoil of people. Also it did a great job at showing the racist attitudes of the times. Example: Dutch asking his main guy, who is black to wrap up his (shultz) sandwich scraps so that he (the black guy) could take them home to feed his grandkids. Classic subtle racism.

    The clothes and the music were also good for the period. One scene was even shot at the cotton club which no movie during this period is complete without.

    Great Job! Great Film!
    helpful•26
    9
    • ajsp35801
    • Jul 5, 2006

    FAQ3

    • Is this movie historically accurate?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 27, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Gangster
    • Filming locations
      • Between Cermak Road & 23rd Street, Michigan Avenue, Near South Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production company
      • United Artists
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $23,499,102
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,162,768
      • Sep 1, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,499,102
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 10min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • DTS-Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Clarence Williams III Dies, Mod Squad and Tales from the Hood Star Was 81
    Jun 8MovieWeb
    Clarence Williams III, ‘The Mod Squad’ and ‘Purple Rain’ Actor, Dead at 81
    Clarence Williams III, ‘The Mod Squad’ and ‘Purple Rain’ Actor, Dead at 81
    Jun 6Rollingstone.com

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