Harlem Nights (1989)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Eddie Murphy

Writer (WGA):

Eddie Murphy (written by)

Release Date:

17 November 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

They're up to something big.

Plot:

"Sugar" Ray is the owner of an illegal casino, who contend with the pressures of vicious gangster and...

Plot Keywords:

Organized Crime | Police | Gangster | Nightclub | Cult Favorite

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Eddie Murphy	...	Quick
Richard Pryor	...	Sugar Ray
Redd Foxx	...	Bennie Wilson
Danny Aiello	...	Phil Cantone
Michael Lerner	...	Bugsy Calhoune
Della Reese	...	Vera
Berlinda Tolbert	...	Annie
Stan Shaw	...	Jack Jenkins
Jasmine Guy	...	Dominique La Rue
Vic Polizos	...	Richie Vento
Lela Rochon	...	Sunshine
David Marciano	...	Tony
Arsenio Hall	...	Crying Man
Thomas Mikal Ford	...	Tommy Smalls (as Tommy Ford)
Uncle Ray Murphy	...	Willie (as Uncle Ray)

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Chile:18 | Finland:K-14 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R (Certificate #29895) | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Eddie Murphy Productions

Trivia:

This film was made because Eddie Murphy always wanted to direct and act in a period piece.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Jack Jenkins leaves Sugar Ray's and Quick's table in the restaurant, they talk about the 3 to 1 odds they will receive on Jenkins for the upcoming fight. When Phil and Bugsy are talking in the sauna, They say the odds for Jenkins' opponent, Kirkpatrick are 3 to 1. They are saying that the odds on both fighters are the same.

Quotes:

Roberto: Sugar, Tommy's coming.
Sugar Ray: [sees Tommy Smalls and crew coming in... nods] Thank you.
Roberto: Want me to "kick he ass"?
Sugar Ray: No, don't "kick he ass". Thank you, Roberto.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Life (1999/I)

Soundtrack:

The Gal From Joe's

Great to see these 3 awesome comedians together

Three of the greatest (and dirtiest) comedians ever together in this one movie. Funny, hilarious, yes at bit off color with the many uses of the f word but still a great movie with a nice sting at the end. Get over the F word! If you haven't seen this movie in a while, go back and watch it. The first time I watched it, I was lukewarm about it. Now I go back and watch it, grateful that it was made especially since the passing of Richard Pryor (and Redd Foxx).

If you haven't heard any of their stand up, go listen. It's awesome. Richard Pryor is the best.

My only complaint is that Arsenio Hall's character was stupid.