Harlem Nights (1989)

21% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(33,206 ratings)

Eddie Murphy, in addition to starring as Quick, the son of 1930s Harlem gambling-house proprietor Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor), also wrote and directed the film. The plotline details the combined efforts of Quick and Sugar Ray to prevent white gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) from muscling in… More Eddie Murphy, in addition to starring as Quick, the son of 1930s Harlem gambling-house proprietor Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor), also wrote and directed the film. The plotline details the combined efforts of Quick and Sugar Ray to prevent white gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) from muscling in on their operation. The supporting players include Redd Foxx, Danny Aiello and Jasmine Guy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Eddie Murphy
Written By: Eddie Murphy
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 17, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Jan 29, 2002
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Does it matter to Eddie Murphy whether Harlem Nights is good or bad? It doesn't look like it.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Once there was Freddy. Once there was Chuckie and Jason and Howard the Duck. Now there is the scariest of them all. Now there is Harlem Nights.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
An uninspired cross between Cotton Club and the characters of Damon Runyon, told in cliches so broad you keep waiting for it to poke fun at itself, but it never does.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Not as bad as you might think, but not all that good either.
Catherine Cantieri, Apollo Guide
Though it's not easy to watch, Harlem Nights is gorgeous to look at.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Ugly, pushy and over-the-top, but there's still a bunch of laughs to be found.
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
There's maybe two funny moments in this shrill directorial bomb from Eddie Murphy.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
It's narcissistic, misogynistic and extremely mean-spirited.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This movie, directed by Eddie Murphy, was boring, unfunny, and forgettable.
Anthony L

Very funny and very well put together by Murphy. He could have been a little more generous to his fellow cast though as he pretty much gives himself the best lines.
danny d

three generations of comedy legends and a stellar supporting cast star in this film written and directed by murphy in his prime. engaging and hilarious, red foxx and della reese especially shine in this film. i rewach it every ten years or so.
Candy R

Movie about organised crime and police corruption in 1920s Harlem.
xGary X

Oh, Richard. Why couldn't you star in a film worth a damn...? A typically crass and sexist gangster comedy from Eddie Murphy that's nowhere near as good as A Rage In Harlem (which is only average itself...)
Jason S

Funny flick with a who's who of hollywood funny men and women.
Fascade F

A sure shot classic from Eddie Murphy with the aid of stand up comedians like Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, this is a classic tale of life in the gloriuous past,
Christopher O

Eddie Murphy directs this so called comedy involving illegal club owner Sugar Ray played by comedy legend Richard Pryor who has the cops and the mob on his back as well as controlling his cocky adopted son Quick played by Eddie. Della Reese and Redd Foxx swear at each other and Danny… More
Eddie Murphy directs this so called comedy involving illegal club owner Sugar Ray played by comedy legend Richard Pryor who has the cops and the mob on his back as well as controlling his cocky adopted son Quick played by Eddie. Della Reese and Redd Foxx swear at each other and Danny Aiello plays a stereotypical italian corrupt cop. Jasmine Guy is horrible as the femme fatale and Arsenio shows up in a annoying cameo. Has a few interesting moments but it is not a very good film.
Sunil J

Della Reese is the best thing about this movie. It's one of the more dated Eddie Murphy movies but funny enough.
Lee K

funny funny movie which is one of the last for both richard pryor and redd foxx r.i.p.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Eddie Murphy as Quick

            Richard Pryor as Sugar Ray

            Redd Foxx as Bennie Wilson

            Danny Aiello as Phil Cantone

            Michael Lerner as Bugsy Calhoune

            Della Reese as Vera

            Berlinda Tolbert as Annie

            Stan Shaw as Jack Jenkins

            Jasmine Guy as Dominique La Rue

            Arsenio Hall as Crying Man

            Rick Aiello as Man #1

            Don Blakely as Crapshooter

            Michael Buffer as Announcer

            Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Toothless Gambler

            Rudy Challenger as Patron

            Roberto Duran as Roberto

            Marc Figueroa as One of Calhoune's Boys

            Tommy A. Ford as Tommy Smalls

            Eugene Robert Glazer as Detective Hogan

            Michael Goldfinger as Man

            Randy Harris as Todo La Noche

            Robin Harris as Jerome

            Gene Hartline as Michael Kirkpatrick

            Desi Arnez Hines II as Young Quick

            Russell Tyrone Jones as Crapshooter

            George Kyle as Man at Bugsy's

            David Marciano as Tony

            Bobby McGee as Gambler

            Charlie Murphy as Jimmy

            Donald Nardini as Man #2

            Miguel A. Núñez Jr. as Man with Broken Nose

            Vic Polizos as Richie Vento

            Roger E. Reid as Crapshooter

            Reynaldo Rey as Gambler

            Lela Rochon as Sunshine

            Nick Savage as Gambler

            Alvin Silver as Headwaiter

            Prince C. Spencer as Himself

            Michael Stroka as Detective Simms

            Dan Tullis Jr. as Crapshooter

            William Utay as Cop

            Robert Vento as Bartender

            Bill Bateman as Orderly

            Woody Omens as Ringside Announcer

            Steve White as Patron

            Kathleen Bradley Overton as Lady

            Clarence M. Landry as Old Man

            Joe Pecoraro as Joe Leoni

            Uncle Ray as Willie

            Howard "Sandman" Sims as Crapshooter

            Eddie Smith as Driver

            Margaret Wheeler as Elderly Woman

            Mike Genovese as Desk Sergeant
See full cast