Cotton Comes to Harlem
Seen it?1970 | 97 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It made about 4 times its budget, but mixed reviews held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans, anyone who wants a laugh and action fans.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 37 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Made in 1970: an older pace and style.
Harlem's African-American population is being ripped off by the Rev. Deke O'Malley, who dishonestly claims that small donations will secure parcels of land in Africa. When New York City police officers Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson look into O'Malley's scam, they learn that the cash is being smuggled inside a bale of cotton. However, the police, O'Malley, and lots of others find themselves scrambling when the money goes missing.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
Mixed reviews
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsWeak
1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$5 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 35K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Ossie Davis
- Godfrey CambridgeGravedigger Jones
- Raymond St. JacquesCoffin Ed Johnson
- Calvin LockhartRev. Deke O'Malley
- Judy PaceIris
- Redd FoxxUncle Bud / Booker Washington Sims
- Emily YancyMabel
- John AndersonCapt. Bryce
- Lou JacobiGoodman
- Eugene RocheLt. Anderson
- J.D. CannonCalhoun