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.
Directed by Ossie Davis
blaxploitation cinema
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.4 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Godfrey Cambridge
Gravedigger Jones
Raymond St. Jacques
Coffin Ed Johnson
Calvin Lockhart
Rev. Deke O'Malley
Judy Pace
Iris
Redd Foxx
Uncle Bud / Booker Washington Sims
Emily Yancy
Mabel
John Anderson
Capt. Bryce
Lou Jacobi
Goodman
Eugene Roche
Lt. Anderson
J.D. Cannon
Calhoun
Cleavon Little
Lo Boy
Tommy Lane
"44"
Crew
Ossie Davis
Director
Ossie Davis
Screenplay
Robert Q. Lovett
Editor
Gerald Hirschfeld
Director of Photography
Samuel Goldwyn Jr.
Producer
Popular Reviews
17 reviews
Adam
8.0★ · 03/02/26
Movies rock
Movies rock
Nick
7.0★ · 05/25/25
lots of commentary of varying levels i’m equipped to parse out. great vibes lots of funny stuff
strong 7/10
lots of commentary of varying levels i’m equipped to parse out. great vibes lots of funny stuff
strong 7/10
Maud Gone
8.0★ · 05/13/25
After Watermelon Man I wanted to see more of Godfrey Cambridge. He plays a completely different character here, but still manages to be just as funny
After Watermelon Man I wanted to see more of Godfrey Cambridge. He plays a completely different character here, but still manages to be just as funny
Alyssa Miller
8.0★ · 04/03/25
This is a goofy ass noir master piece
This is a goofy ass noir master piece
Boris k
9.6★ · 03/18/24
I’m overrating this but whatever.
A playful police procedural that makes sure its two detectives are always cool and in control. The plot can seem strange but it operates as a kaleidoscopic view of its exaggerated version of Harlem and by weaponising ideas of “blackness” for its own devices.
Very funny and amounts to a memorable satire. Like many other blaxploitation films (I know this is “proto” technically) it spotlights a lot of great performers who didn’t have much staying power in normal Hollywood.
Was that black enough for you?
I’m overrating this but whatever.
A playful police procedural that makes sure its two detectives are always cool and in control. The plot can seem strange but it operates as a kaleidoscopic view of its exaggerated version of Harlem and by weaponising ideas of “blackness” for its own devices.
Very funny and amounts to a memorable satire. Like many other blaxploitation films (I know this is “proto” technically) it spotlights a lot of great performers who didn’t have much staying power in normal Hollywood.
