Book of Numbers

I played the Prosecuting Attorney in the Courtroom scene ,,,"nip this in the bud" was one of my lines that became a byword around the set after that scene was filmed. Phillip Michael Thomas and Denise Gordy were very nice people, young "comers", as it were, at the time. It's a shame the film never saw wide release---at the time I think it might have had something to do with this being St. Jacques's first directorial/producing effort, he went over budget and over time, I think, and only finished it with enormous help from Marty Hornstein who replaced Clyde Houston (who got me into it way above my skill level---I was an actor, but Clyde also used me as location, car, and general Texas wrangler) as AD. Brut Productions, the money guys, had some issues with Raymond (which wouldn't have been hard to do), and that probably caused some editing and/or release problems. It was a full script, with a good story---I have no idea why it ran so short. I never saw even a rough cut.

The movie was good and the book it is based on is one of those rare novels that is so well written you think you are observing the characters first hand and it is almost like losing friends when the story ends. Deserves to be seen AND read.!!!

Having saved about $1000 dollars while working as a waiter, a black man named "Blueboy Harris" (Raymond St. Jacques) decides to leave his place of employment and head back to El Dorado, Arkansas where he plans to start an illegal gambling operation. Also traveling with him is a young black man named "Dave Green" (Philip Michael Thomas) who looks up to him as both his friend and mentor. Not surprisingly, considering the time and effort put in by Blueboy, it isn't long before the two of them become quite successful. Unfortunately, their success doesn't go unnoticed and not long afterward a white mobster by the name of "Luis Antoine" (Gilbert Green) decides to move in on their action. That being said, since Blueboy and Dave have set up their illegal gambling operation in a black part of town, Mr. Antoine sends a black man named "Joe Gaines" (Jerry Leon) there to convince them to cooperate. However, because neither Blueboy or Dave are impressed with him they decline-and this eventually causes severe problems for all concerned. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that I had never heard of this film until only a few weeks ago and, having just seen it, I must say that I was somewhat impressed with it. Not only did I like the overall plot and setting but I also thought that both Raymond St. Jacques and Philip Michael Thomas performed quite well also. Likewise, it certainly didn't hurt to have a couple of attractive actresses like Freda Payne (as Dave's girlfriend "Kelly Simms") and "Hope Clarke ("Pigmeat Goins") either. Be that as it may, as stated earlier, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

Philip Michael Thomas has probably only been seen by most audiences in the MIAMI VICE television series, the quintessential action TV show of the 80's. But prior to MIAMI VICE PMT was seen in quite a number of blaxploitation films in the 1970's. BOOK OF NUMBERS is nearly impossible to find but it's one of the best blaxploitation films from the 70's that I've seen and it's one of PMT's best early roles. The film is no holds barred in its depiction of African-American life in the 30's in the South and the language and violence is fairly intense. It's got great atmosphere, an interesting plot and lots of attitude (but when you're fighting the KKK anything goes!) If you enjoy these kinds of films I'd definitely recommend this one, and especially if you enjoy PMT's acting in MIAMI VICE, you'll love him in this.