Come Back Charleston Blue

This film is sort of a pt.2 to "Cotton comes to Harlem" though it easily stands on its own .Once again we have superb acting and excellent direction by Ozzie Davis .I feel this film is not quite as funny as the previous outing though, and that may be due to the fact that this story revolves around the scourge of drug use and drug dealers .These are things that I believe Ozzie really hated to see going on in the community .As a director he probably recognized that Hollywood was not going to address these issues at the time ,they didn't have the guts.It is worth noting Ozzie made at least three films concerning drug use ,this one ,"Gordons War'and I think "Hit!" starring Billy Dee Williams. In this we see Viet Nam vets involved in the lucrative drug trade ,using the coffins of fallen comrades to ship the stuff in (check it out,this actually happened in the 70's).Much of the film is hilarious though ,and Godfrey Cambridge and the rest make this film memorable .Another film classic to be cherished .

I think the reason I really liked this movie so much is as a child, I remember seeing "Cotton comes to Harlem" on NBC and thought, wow, two black detectives who actually did detecting and didn't do much 'shuck and jiving'. They took their business protecting the streets and the black people of Harlem seriously. Godfrey Cambridge and Raymond St. Jacques are sorely missed! The movie, "A Rage in Harlem" was sooooo awful. Why can't somebody remake THAT, instead of remakes of fairly successful movies or comics or TV shows that were at the best, minor league (Dukes of Hazzard, BeWitched). Give me a break. Somebody will try to do a remake of the Jeffersons next!MY GOD!!!

Charleston Blue, is one of my favorites. I just wish it got more recognition. Very entertaining..full of action together with the charm and wit of Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed. I enjoyed Cotton Comes to Harlem, but loved this one. The description says a sequel to Cotton..Harlem but it is more of a sequel of the rough but effective detective duo Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed. This movie definitely keeps you laughing, keeps you in suspense, but also delivers a powerful message about drugs in the black community. I too have been searching for the DVD and will be first in line to get it when it is released, I am confident it will be released and soon. This is one of the Soul Cinema movies that is a must have for my collection.

I have seen and own this movie and think it's a "classic". I absolutely love the film from the actors, story and especially the soundtrack to it.

For anyone that may have influence or knows someone who does in regards to this film, I would ask or even implore you to make this film available on DVD!!! I have been waiting for years for this to become available on DVD and it hasn't up to this point. I tell you that I will be one of the first in line to get it. Willie Dynamite was just released a few months ago and it was made, roughly, sometime after Charelston Blue I believe. Please bring it out on DVD. VHS is cool, but...

Anyway, love the movie, and would definitely recommend it to anyone to enjoy.

BTW, was/is there a soundtrack available as well? That's probably on a tape and not a CD huh? LOL!!! Please respond.

The previous film in this series, "Cotton Comes to Harlem" is regarded by many as the first blaxploitation film, though in some ways it's not exactly an example of the genre. Much of it is because unlike traditional blaxploitation, the heroes are cops...albeit NOT typical cops as well as being cops who have a strong dislike for many other cops! It was a dandy film...and is well worth seeing.

"Come Back Charleston Blue" is a sequel, bringing back the police detectives Gravedigger (Godfrey Cambridge) and Coffin Ed (Raymond St. Jacques). And, as usual, they're fighting against folks who seek to exploit the folks in Harlem. However, when it comes to busting pushers, they have a unique problem during much of the film...there seem to be no pushers to arrest! It's because again and again, the pushers are being killed and robbed...and it's all being blamed on a dead man, Charleston Blue....a tough guy who supposedly died four decades ago!

What really is going on in this film is a new mob getting rid of the old mob....the mafia. The story going around town is that the new mob is working for the people...and are dumping the drugs into the river after they confiscate it. Gravedigger and Coffin Ed suspect that these 'do-gooders' are actually just planning on selling the drugs themselves and cutting out the mafia middle men. What the two cops want is to stop anyone who exploits their people...a message that must have resonated well to black inner city audiences of the day.

I don't care whether you are black or not, this is a very good and entertaining film...possibly more so than the original. It holds up well over time and has a much more positive message than many later blaxploitation pics....a message about empowerment and justice.

The film features some excellent drama, a few very good action scenes as well as some occasional humor than made me laugh out loud several times!