Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)

In the pulsating heart of 1970s Harlem, a saga unfolds as we follow the gritty narrative of two ferocious black cops, Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson. Known for their unorthodox methods and notoriety for bending rules, the pair find themselves at odds with the charismatic Reverend Deke O'Mailey. This silver-tongued preacher sells dreams of an African homeland to his disadvantaged followers, promising a blissful life in exchange for a small investment in his dubious venture. However, beneath the reverend's captivating rhetoric hides a fraudulent scheme designed to exploit the unsuspecting poor. Gravedigger and Coffin, seasoned in the game of deception, are already wary of O'Mailey's cloak-and-dagger dealings. Their suspicions are confirmed when the reverend's truck, supposedly carrying the 'promised land' for his followers, is hijacked. In the ensuing chaos, a bale of cotton, the unlikely vault for the hard-earned money of Harlem's hopeful, goes missing. The hijacking event provides the perfect opportunity for our relentless duo to expose O'Mailey and his crew. As they embark on their quest for justice, Harlem becomes the bustling epicenter of a captivating cat-and-mouse chase. The city's unique urban humor, a rarity in the cinema of 1970, adds a dash of levity to the gripping drama. "Cotton Comes to Harlem" is a vibrant tapestry weaving together sharp humor, social commentary, and thrilling action. It paints an immersive picture of a city and its people caught in the throes of a high-stakes hustle, where dreams are sold, truths are uncovered, and justice, although unconventional, is served.

Cotton Comes to Harlem is an action movie featuring Godfrey Cambridge and directed by Ossie Davis.

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