Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

As might be inferred from its name, this is a comedy, or was meant to be. Unfortunately it isn't that funny, even for those of us who have some familiarity with the nuances of urban black life in the America of this time, if only from similar films."Cotton Comes To Harlem" is also a thriller, and it would have made better viewing if this aspect had been played up, which would have entailed playing down the comic book violence. The bottom line is that $87,000 is stolen in a blatant robbery, and law enforcement including two black detectives turn Harlem upside down in pursuit of it. That sum was worth considerably more then than in today's money, but not so much this was the Great Train Robbery of New York State. The cotton reference is not an allusion to de old plantation but to the stolen money somehow ending up in a bale of cotton.One of the detectives is played by Godfrey Cambridge who just six years later was dead from a heart attack at just 43. This film does not make a good epitaph for him or for anyone else.

Continuing to review movies featuring people of color in chronological order for Black History Month, we're still in 1970 when director Ossie Davis helps adapt Chester Himes' novel of the above title name with Arnold Perl co-writing. So it's with this film that we're introduced to the main characters of Gravedigger Jones (Godfrey Cambridge) and Coffin Ed Johnson (Raymond St. Jacques), Harlem detectives bent on protecting their own people. The villain here is the Rev. Deke O'Malley (Calvin Lockhart) who's swindling many of the city's poor residents of their money which is hidden in a bale of cotton. Among his accomplices is an Iris (Judy Pace). I'll stop there and just say that there are many witty lines and some funny scenes especially when they concern a dumb white fellow officer named Jarema (Dick Sabol). His scenes with the sexy Ms. Pace are highlights here. Also, Redd Foxx-in a role that anticipates his later TV character Fred Sandford-is Booker Washington Sims a.k.a. Uncle Bud who amusingly tries to sell the bale before attempting taking it back. Also amusing is Helen Martin-later of the TV series "227"-as a church sister. Davis also provides many exciting action set pieces. Does the whole thing make sense? Well, if you think too much about it, no. But it's a whole lot of fun nonetheless. So on that note, Cotton Comes to Harlem comes highly recommended.

This is one of the funniest movies of the early 1970's. The story, the acting as well as the characters helped to make this a great film. In many ways this film was a preview of things to come due to the fact that the very next year with the premier of Shaft, the era of the "blaxploitation" film would begin. Also, you have to wonder if the team who created the Lethal Weapon series were somewhat inspired by this due to the fact that characters of Gravedigger and Coffin are somewhat reminiscent of Briggs and Murtaugh from that series. However, the thing that really made this fun was the brief appearance of Redd Foxx playing a character that was not dissimilar from the character that would earn him his biggest fame, Fred Sanford. This is definitely a lost classic.

The art of filmaking is best represented right here in this 70's gem . I don't think anything can quite match the energy and effort put forth here."Cotton comes to Harlem" title alone,is very deep saying much to people who truly are in touch with themselves.Black ,White or whatever , this hysterical and historic film is an American Classic.I would'nt ever be a spoiler ,but look whats all in here ,Religious zealots,supercops,pimps,mafia types,great car chase scene,the Apollo theatre ,beautiful women ,authentic Harlem NYC locations ,who'd dare ask for more?? This stunning achievment is directed by Ozzie Davis I would recommend anyone serious about the study of cinema seek out his other films as well.My favorite underrated star Godfrey Cambridge is here in perhaps his greatest film role and even Hollywood knows nothing compares.Oh! I almost forgot ,the sequel Welcome Back Charleston Blue !! was very good too, but this original is best.If I could I'd give it 15"*s". Seek this out on video and the DVD you'll never regret it! For all the action in it kids will like this too there's no bad language or any thing here.