Harlem Nights

Harlem Nights was an Eddie Murphy production. It was a crime-comedy set in the 1930s in Harlem New York focusing upon a group of African American gamblers and hustlers. It had an all star cast of Murphy, Richard Pryor, Arsenio Hall, Red Foxx, Jasmin Guy, Della Reese, Danny Aiello, and others. The movie focused upon Murphy as “Quick” Brown who works for Sugar Ray (Pryor) at his Club Sugar Ray. The two come into conflict with the local mafia boss Bugsy Calhoune played by Michael Lerner and a corrupt cop Officer Cantone (Aiello). Whether Quick and Sugar Ray can overcome these conflicts is the dilemma of the story. It also has a racial element as the white gangster and police don't think black people deserve to be successful and have money.The jokes come quick and fast. First it starts when Quick was a little kid and comes across a dice game Sugar Ray was running. The man with a dice objects to having a kid present and when he losses attempts to stick up Sugar Ray. Quick ends up shooting him, to which Sugar Ray says that guy really did have bad luck with kids. There are plenty of other funny moments.Overall, Harlem Nights is another fine Eddie Murphy film mixing up drama with the laughs. It plays upon the strengths of the ensemble cast giving each one of them their moment in the story to do something special or usually funny.C

I have ALWAYS been a die-hard fan of Eddie Murphy movies since I was very young. This, by all accounts, is a testament that the best movies will have a lasting impact for decades to come. You have Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Della Reese, Arsenio Hall, need I say more? Lots of people will be your best or worse critics, but for me, an absolute critic that gives this movie 5*****! Please watch this movie with your close friends and loved ones. Believe me, Harlem Nights should've definitely been nominated for an Oscar! Thanks, Eddie Murphy!!!

What a disappointment this film was!Over acted in so many scenes, bad cinematography in some scenes, transitions that were as rough as a road full of glass on bald tires, and the language used to replace actual quality dialogue was utterly appalling!Some really great actors in this film, quality people having done previously great work.Sadly, very BAD script writing, lackluster directing, and a sense of story continuity that not even the finest blood hound in existence could follow! Eddie Murphy was a great comedian and a pretty good actor (Beverly Hills Cop fame), but what he did with this movie was a crime!Cliche scenes missing any substance at all and intermixed with severely stereotyped anti-white bigotry that was so over the top as to remove it from the reality is meant to convey! Murphy could have done so much with this film, especially considering the SUPERB Cast he managed to secure for this film!!!!Basically, this film was nothing but a waste of time and effort, and utterly dissapointing.

I have seen this movie many times over the years.. The writing,the cast and the set is so reminiscent of an era that many African Americans born after 1960 really have no clue of? Of course Eddie Murphy made this movie so he he could have a time capsule to revisit in his golden years. Richard Pryor by far the greatest comedian of his generation , Red Foxx a dynamo on screen and Della Reese.. All three are all deceased.. I remember when Redd Foxx died in the 1990's ..and they rushed him to the E.R while shooting an episode of a television series. That he and Della Reese were filming for CBS.. Actor Danny Aiello passed away in 2019... the supporting cast members Micheal Lerner,Arsenio Hall,Stan Shaw,Berlinda Tolbert,Lela Rochon,Thomas Ford,Charlie Murphy (Eddie's brother),Ji-Tu Cumbuka ,Reynaldo Rey,Professional boxer Roberto Duran,Kathleen Bradley (Price is Right game show).,etc.. The movies soundtrack used material from a by-gone era. ..that included Louis Armstrong and Herbie Hancock who worked on the music for certain scenes. The movie was considered a failure by the studio's..but obviously many people love this movie,,based upon the reviews..

I don’t know why some said there was a lack of humor in this because I was belly laughing nonstop, and on top of the endless laughs, it has a great lineup, you’ve got Eddie and Charlie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and Redd Foxx aka Fred Sanford, what’s not to like?. I also saw an article that said Kevin hart wants to make an ensemble comedy in the vein of Harlem nights, that would be great to see and hysterical, especially since he wanted Dave chappelle to be in it

This is the equivalent of the great 1920's Harlem night club movie called 'The Cotton Club" with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. Eddie shows off his Director/Writer skills in this 1930s adaptation of how African Americas were apart of every phase in American history including New York City Harlem night clubs in the roaring 20s & 30s. Bravo Eddie, Bravo.

I have always heard that this was a great movie and it was. To see such great comic actors in one place made this a gem. Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Redd Fox, Arsenio Hall, Della Reese and etc are hilarious. One of my favorite lines in when Dell's character says to Eddie's character, "He shot my pinkie toe. I'm gonna put what's left of my foot in your ass. I'm gonna kill him." Classic line and classic scene. Worth the rental, worth the late night watch.

Yet Another Good Film Off Eddie Murphy, And I Recamend It.

Shooting Tommy Guns... Guy with revolver repeatedly firing even though no asked him to "Stop it stop fire that little gun just stop 🔫!!"

A fun gangster romp with some amazing actors, but balancing drama and comedy is always hard. It's Murphy's only film as a director for a reason. Della Reese is amazing. The costumes look fabulous. Jasmine Guy is fun, and a subdued Richard Pryor provides solid acting.

CLassiC.

I love to see Eddie Murphy act in films. When he is joined by comedians like Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx etc I can't help laughing all the way throughout the film. This film helps me to unwind at the end of a hard week's work. Hei, get one of this DVD. Laughter is a great medicine. Eddie Murphy can make you get a lot of it. Good value for money.