Cotton Comes to Harlem

A lively, wisecracking crime caper with sharp social edges, bouncing between chases, cons, and Harlem street life.

Directed by

Ossie Davis

Genres

Action, Comedy, Crime

Starring

Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St. Jacques, Calvin Lockhart

Tagline

Introducing COFFIN ED and GRAVEDIGGER. Two detectives only a mother could love.

Overview

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 feels

Satirical, cynical, warm and dark. Brisk and easy to follow.

About

Crime, deception, class, race

Content

Strong violence. Mild gore, sexual content and language.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)