Ajouter une intrigue dans votre langueA numbers king pin tries to stay in business as the mafia and police close in around him.A numbers king pin tries to stay in business as the mafia and police close in around him.A numbers king pin tries to stay in business as the mafia and police close in around him.
- Réalisation
- Scénario
- Casting principal
- Big Tony
- (as Frank deKova)
- Mama Lottie
- (as Frances Williams)
- Serene
- (as Tawny Tan)
- DuDirty
- (as Ernie Banks)
- Sam Kingston
- (as Henry Sanders)
- Raphael
- (as James Jackson)
Avis à la une
This movie is directed by Bill Brame (Scream Free!) and stars Frank DeKova (The Ten Commandments), Paul Harris (Truck Turner), Ernie Lee Banks (Mystery Man) and Henry G. Sanders (Selma).
The best part of this movie is the female muscle. The opening kill sequence with the ring and the use of the heel were my favorite parts of the movie. The storyline is fairly cliche and straightforward, but the soundtrack is superb and fun. There was some 70s nudity, but the seductive scenes are awkward and a bit funny. The cinematography was poor and felt low budget.
Overall, this is a very average blaxploitation movie that is still worth a watch. I would score this a 5/10 and recommend seeing once.
As far as low-budget blaxploitation goes (and really, what isn't?), it's not that bad. The acting is decent, sometimes even good. The direction and cinematography is competent, sometimes even great. But what really stands out here is the story. Yeah, yeah. Same old brother-against-whitey plot that's in 99 out of a hundred of blaxploitation films. But there's a desperation in there that shines through. The best example is a scene of Russian roulette between the kingpin and the mafia boss. It's actually fairly well acted and well written.
There's some confusing moments, like what the hell is up with the murdering-psycho man-girl that everyone wants to bang? And there's sprinkles of cheesy acting and poor production values. But there's actually a lot in here that, given better people behind it, could equal a pretty damned good movie. As it is, however, it's certainly above average on the Z-grade blaxploitation flick.
All in all, recommended.
Huh? In this case, the White actor is Frank DeKova, whose best known role was as an Indian chief on F TROOP. The movie is about Paul Harris, who runs a numbers racket, with the Mafia (referred to as "Chicago") muscling in and a mayoral election putting the pressure on. It's a potentially interesting idea, but the story is told in a disjointed fashion, with many scenes of people writing numbers in spiral notebooks. Frances Williams as the drug connection is amusing and Reginald Farmer as a street runner "Sweetman" might be interesting, but he wanders in and out.
If you are into blaxploitation, it's not a bad story--the main characters do their best considering the mangled plot, but Serene's secret wasn't much of a secret--if you can't figure it out right away you aren't paying attention even though it's 1956.
The other odd thing (among many odd things) is how this movie ends. It's a real WTF moment. Saying there are loose ends would be an understatement--Especially for 1956.
It's available on the "50 Drive-In Movie Classics" collection. At about 50 cents a movie, I can't complain. It's low budget but has some nudity and some cartoon-like violence. This also appears to be the only movie in this pack that takes place in 1956.
Le saviez-vous
- AnecdotesFilm debut of Minnie Summers Lindsey.
- GaffesEarly in the film, when white politicians and police are discussing Pasha's numbers racket, a microphone dips into the top of the shot.
- Citations
Big Tony: What are we going to do to settle this mess, anyway? The Chicago bosses are tired of waiting. I'm tired, you're tired. What's the solution?
Pasha: I thought perhaps you might have some ideas. You Italians were always better at that kind of thinking than us poor colored folks.
Big Tony: [chuckling] you're too much. You know, if you knew what I was thinking right now... I've hated you for a long, long time, Hakim and right now at this moment I've got you right here in my hand. I could kill you, you know that. I still got your gun, Hakim.
Pasha: Yeah, the one you got from me in your restaurant
Big Tony: You've always been a man of honor, Hakim... something I never could stand in a nigger. Now I want to see that honor put you right in your grave. Are you willing to pay the price to see me and mine?
Pasha: Lay it on me.
Big Tony: There's a game, it's not Italian, it's Russian. It's a kind of roulette, a special roulette but you play it with life. You see, you drop a bullet in the barrel, like that, then you revolve it. You put it to your head... and press. You do it, Hakim. You do it. Just in case you think I tricked you, you take the first turn. Put the gun to your head and pull the trigger, if you can. You remember when we were kids, it was always you that wasn't afraid and I always panicked. God Almighty, how you used to torture me. Do it, damn it! Do it!
Pasha: You're a creep, Tony. You never have known how to play fair. What difference does it make? The littlest noise and your gimp-leg goon'll be in here with a hand grenade or somethin'.
Big Tony: No, no. This place is completely soundproof. Nobody'll come unless I call them and I won't. I swear. I'm going straight down to the wire. Luck is with me tonight, you ugly son of a bitch. It's got to be. It ain't worth it unless I can whip you just once. But you're afraid to give me the satisfaction, aren't you? You're afraid to put that gun up to your head.
[Pasha raises the gun]
- Crédits fousWhen the movie finishes, the words 'THE DEAD END' flash on the screen before the credits roll
- ConnexionsFeatured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 4 (1997)
Meilleurs choix
- How long is Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes?Alimenté par Alexa
Détails
- Durée
- 1h 26min(86 min)
- Mixage
- Rapport de forme
- 1.85 : 1