COTTON COMES TO HARLEM is a tale of two tough as nails black detectives in Harlem who don't always play by the rules, but always get their man. The film stars Godfrey Cambridge (WATERMELON MAN) as Gravedigger Jones and Raymond St. Jacques as Coffin Ed Johnson (numerous TV shows and movies in the 70's and 80's), two bad azz mofos that take no shit. Why both of these actors didn't become huge stars says a lot about race relations at the time of this films release. The film is directed by none other than legendary screen actor, Ossie Davis (he played Da Mayor in Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING among many other movies), whom I didn't even know directed movies. He only directed a handful of films in the 70's, and then pretty much stuck to acting. Another cast member is the legendary stand-up comic Red Foxx, known to many as Fred Sanford of Sanford & Son. Known for being one of the raunchiest comics of his time, and the inspiration of almost every black comic after him, including Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphey. He plays the character of a street person named Uncle Bud. His part is small, but he plays a key role.
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The story starts out with a preacher by the name of Rev. Deke (Calvin Lockheart), who has worked the community into a frenzy with his 'Back to Africa' movement. He is a shady character that drives a fancy car, and dresses in the finest suits (always a bad sign for a holy man, believe the Reverend on this one). Of course he is taking a lot of money from the community to fund his... "cause". Detectives Jones and Johnson show up to talk to the Reverend, when a meat truck shows up with masked men armed with machine guns. They steal the money, then the Reverend and his men chase after them. Jones and Johnson follow, and a kick ass car chase proceeds.
The masked men's truck, and the Reverend's truck end up crashing, but not before a big bail of cotton falls out of the masked men's truck on a random street corner. All the men get away, then Jones and Johnson go on the hunt for all the men. Meanwhile the Reverend, and the mysterious masked men, goes on the search for the bail of cotton, which is now in the hands of an old bum named Uncle Bud (Red Foxx).
During their search, Jones and Johnson have to deal with a dickhead of a Captain who ends up taking them off the case for their questionable methods, even after said methods stop a riot. Once off the case, both men continue on, to figure out the mystery. They soon figure out that the stolen fundraiser money is inside the bail of hay. The race is then on to get the loot back, and hopefully expose the Reverend for the fraud that he is.
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COTTON COMES TO HARLEM is a kick ass joy ride of a film. Not a dull moment in its 97 minute running time. It is full of action and humor that is truly funny (mostly poking fun at black and white stereotypes—see watermelon picture below). The acting ranges from good to great, and the characters are fun. From Helen Martin's small role as Church Sister, to Judy Pace's Iris, the Reverend's scorned lover. Calvin Lockheart is superb as the Reverend, and plays the character straight and not as an over the top villain. He's a real person, albeit a bad person, but human none the less. Make no mistake though-- Cambridge and St. Jacques are the movie. They are true bad assssses, but they have style and heart. Cambridge's dry humor is fucking hilarious. Though he gets a lot of the laughs, he's in no way clownish or buffoonish. Who says you can't be cool and funny? St. Jacques's, Coffin Ed Johnson had to have laid the foundation for Clint Eastwood's 'Dirty' Harry Callahan character. DIRTY HARRY would come out the next year.
The movie is fairly short on T & A and violence, mostly quick boob shots and a lot of gun play, but it doesn't need it. The story and the characters hold up the film quite well. You could probably hack away 1 or 2 minutes and it would be a PG-13 movie today.
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As per usual for most blaxploitation flicks, the musical score grooves like Sunday afternoon w/a loaded bong. I've been a metalhead most of my life, but in my later years have come to really enjoy soul, r&b, blues and jazz. It would probably surprise most people that I am actually more into music than I am movies. Music is my life. I'm a singer and a guitarist and have played in bands for last 10 years or so. So I really appreciate a good film score, and most of my personal favorite films all feature excellent soundtracks.
COTTON COMES TO HARLEM is a classic and if you are a fan of the genre or crime dramas or just a fan of movies from the 70's, you'll love it. Also, it did spawn a sequel called COME BACK, CHARLESTON BLUE with Cambridge and St. Jacques back as Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnsons respectfully.
Screenshots courtesy of www.blaxploitationpride.org
COTTON COMES TO HARLEM trailer