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Harlem Nights

R Released Nov 17, 1989 1h 58m Comedy List
26% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 80% Audience Score 25,000+ Ratings
In the waning days of Prohibition, Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and his adopted son, Quick (Eddie Murphy), run a speakeasy called Club Sugar Ray. When gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) learns that Sugar Ray's place is pulling in more money than his own establishment, the Pitty Pat Club, he pays corrupt cop Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) to close Club Sugar Ray down. Quick doesn't exactly help the situation when he falls for Calhoune's gun moll, Miss Dominique La Rue (Jasmine Guy). Read More Read Less
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Harlem Nights

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Harlem Nights

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Critics Consensus

An all-star comedy lineup is wasted on a paper-thin plot and painfully clunky dialogue.

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Critics Reviews

View All (38) Critics Reviews
Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune ''Harlem Nights,'' it's worth remembering, is a comedy, though as the body count piles up and entire reels go by without a joke in sight, it's also easy to forget. Rated: 1/4 Mar 26, 2019 Full Review Michael Wilmington Los Angeles Times If he's going to confine himself to bad movies like "Harlem Nights," it's probably better that he writes and directs them himself. Mar 26, 2019 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Harlem Nights offers a depressing answer to that not entirely pressing question, "Will success spoil Eddie Murphy?" It looks as if it has. Mar 26, 2019 Full Review Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) The degree of ineptness with which this film is made must finally amount to some form of contempt for the audience. Rated: 0.5/4 May 9, 2023 Full Review Common Sense Media Editors Common Sense Media Instead here lies the rare relish of seeing bonafide comedy legends Murphy, in his first directing jaunt -- he also wrote it -- and Prior play father and son. Rated: 3/5 Dec 14, 2022 Full Review Cory Woodroof 615 Film Look, this is a better film than Dick Tracy, and almost as interesting aesthetically. This also has Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Redd freaking Foxx on the same screen. Jul 17, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Horror fan 4 Eddie Murphy delivers a great Crime Dramedy filled with a great cast. This is by far one of the most underrated movies ever. Very quotable lines and hilarious scenes make this a must watch. Tim Treakle Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/16/24 Full Review Josh B A clear example that critics have no clue about what is good and what is not good. This film is an absolute classic and hilarious. It's an epic comedic achievement that remains funny decades after its release. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/24 Full Review James F Don't expect a great movie, it isn't. But it isn't nearly as bad as the critical reception it received. In particular, Richard Pryor's considerable talents are largely wasted here in favor of an ill-fated attempt to make a star vehicle for Eddie Murphy. Nevertheless, when you put Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx together, you are going to get some scenes that are funny and worth your time. It is uneven, but definitely has its moments. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/15/23 Full Review Lucas G Funny movie, interesting plot, what's not to like Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/07/23 Full Review Steve D The tone didn't work for me. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/04/23 Full Review Bret J I have seen this movie many times, and it only gets better with each viewing! The amount of talent assembled here has rarely been touched. Murphy and Pryor are a perfect father/son (sort of) combo (watch the movie to understand that statement). I could say so much more, but I'll leave it there for now. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Harlem Nights

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - This is Personal Harlem Nights: Official Clip - This is Personal 2:13 Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Bad Luck With Kids Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Bad Luck With Kids 2:12 Harlem Nights: Official Clip - She's a Sweet Old Woman Harlem Nights: Official Clip - She's a Sweet Old Woman 2:12 Harlem Nights: Official Clip - I Aint Ever Comin Home Harlem Nights: Official Clip - I Aint Ever Comin Home 1:58 Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Come on Sucka, Let's Get It On Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Come on Sucka, Let's Get It On 2:11 Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Bennie "Snake Eyes" Wilson Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Bennie "Snake Eyes" Wilson 2:11 Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Shooting Up Quick Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Shooting Up Quick 2:12 Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Are You Sayin' I'm Stealin'? Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Are You Sayin' I'm Stealin'? 2:07 View more videos

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Harlem Nights

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the waning days of Prohibition, Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and his adopted son, Quick (Eddie Murphy), run a speakeasy called Club Sugar Ray. When gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) learns that Sugar Ray's place is pulling in more money than his own establishment, the Pitty Pat Club, he pays corrupt cop Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) to close Club Sugar Ray down. Quick doesn't exactly help the situation when he falls for Calhoune's gun moll, Miss Dominique La Rue (Jasmine Guy).
Director
Eddie Murphy
Producer
Robert D. Wachs, Mark Lipsky
Screenwriter
Eddie Murphy
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Eddie Murphy Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 17, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$58.5M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Surround
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