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Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St. Jacques, Calvin Lockhart, Judy Pace, Redd Foxx ... see more see more... , John Anderson , Emily Yancy , J.D. Cannon , Mabel Robinson , Eugene Roche , Frederick O'Neal , Gene Lindsey , Van Kirksey , Cleavon Little , Helen Martin , Turk Turpin , Tommy Lane , Arnold Williams , Vinnette Carrol , Leo Cimino , Lou Jacobi , Dick Sabol , Theodore Wilson , Al Fann , Teddy Wilson

Ossie Davis makes his directorial debut a smashing success in the trend-setting action crime comedy Cotton Comes To Harlem. Coffin Ed (Raymond St. Jacques) and Grave Digger Jones (Godfrey Cambridge), ... read more read more...two plainclothesmen on the Harlem detail, are assigned to investigate the goings-on of suspicious local preacher Deke O'Malley (Calvin Lockhart), whose "Back to Africa" political movement turns out to be a scam to bilk the community of their hard-earned cash, with the scam-money hidden in a bale of cotton. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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60% liked it

1,953 ratings

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Ossie Davis

Release Date: May 27, 1970

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DVD Release Date: December 26, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (75)

  • cosmo313
    November 3, 2010
    cosmo313
    Although often considered a forerunner of "blaxploitation", I wouldn't disagree with you if you called this a full on blaxploitation film. Stylistically it doesn't fit, but it is an almost exclusively black cast, black crew, and deals with black themes, so therefore, it is relate... read mored. However, this isn't some campy stereotypical film that more than likely hinders black progress instead of helps it.

    Instead, this is a hilarious film that is many things: comedy, crime film, satire, and buddy picture. There is tons of humor here, and, while I wasn't laughing all the time, it is quite funny. Most of the humor is of the slapstick vartiety, but some of it comes from wordplay, visuals, and situations, which can sometimes be dry in natiure.

    This is the story of two unconventional detectives who try to catch a man who is pushing a "back to Africa" trip. In reality, that man is a fake, a huxster, and the two detectives have to try to catch hi and show the world who he really iis.

    It surprised me that Ossie Davis directed this, because I didn't expect this type of film from hi based on my knowledge of his latter day resume. This is a great film though, It is quite funny, and fillled with substance and subtext, It's not overly preachy, but it's pretty obvious that this film has a message and isn't devoid of something more meaningful.

    This isn't a campy blaxploitation film. In watching it though, one can see that this represents a high water mark for black films made for black people by black people. The only thing it really exploits is stuff that black people want to see. The subject matter is funny, and a bit surreal, because really, who thinks of cotton when they think of Harlem? It's an integral part of the film however, so it is necessary.

    No matter who you are, there is bound to be something in here for everyone. This is a great film, and a true lost classic. Bravo Ossie, bravo.
  • matertenebraum
    October 16, 2009
    matertenebraum
    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 "blax... read moreploitation" 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.
  • kenstachnik
    August 6, 2009
    kenstachnik
    It's no Coffy, but it's a lot of fun.
  • lesleyanorton
    August 29, 2010
    lesleyanorton
    One of the very earliest blaxploitation films (1970), and not the best either (the books are better). S'ok.
  • jjb3332003
    November 22, 2011
    jjb3332003
    It gets points for comedy and for being a forerunner to the many blaxploitation films to follow, but otherwise it's just silly.
  • dukeakasmudge
    November 11, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    Wasn't as good as I thought it was gonna be.I mainly watched this movie cauz it had Redd Foxx but he was hardly in it
  • blacksnake2
    January 25, 2008
    blacksnake2
    "Grave Digger" Jones & "Coffin Ed" Johnson and their nickel plated .357 Magnums jump out of the Novels and return in the second (and last) adaptation of the Harlem headbusters. 70's atmosphere, twisted humor, and the lead actors make it a cult classic worth a look if you are into... read more it...
  • kellygrrrl98
    May 8, 2007
    kellygrrrl98
    classic blaxploitation flick done by the late ossie davis. coffin ed and gravedigger are the lead characters in this urban tale about 2 cops trying to bust a false prophet
  • hhalto
    April 26, 2007
    hhalto
    A cut above most blacksploitation movies that were out around the time this one was released. Godfrey and St. Jacques work well off of each other, and Redd Foxx has a good role.
  • splittailluvr
    October 25, 2006
    splittailluvr
    Another of the made for black audience movies of the 70's that had a number of black actors who later became famous in their own movies & TV shows.

View All Cotton Comes to Harlem Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke
November 5, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

One of the earliest and best Blaxploitation films.

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Carol Cling
October 31, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Philip Martin
July 31, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

May 24, 2003
Film4

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