Don't Play Us Cheap

On the positive side, the movie is very creatively done. However there is a big elephant in the room. And I don't mean Mabel King.

The sound track sucks. There is so much screaming, inappropriate laughing and loud talking that you can barely make sense of the dialog.

Further, the backing musical track is also often louder than the speaking parts and hence, you can't understand what anyone is saying.

For a "musical" they sure didnt get actors who could sing. People are off key and just simply horrible.

The costuming too is just horrible. It's as if the entire production was stitched together by someone on crack.

This was a cool musical movie! It was nice to see Esther Rolle and Teresa Merrit in another role besides the roles that made them very popular. This movie was so funny and crazy. It was definitely a great movie to be made in 1973!

This film was a great commentary on the contrast of human values, especially the characters and their personal aspirations. It reminds us not to take everything about our lives so seriously and that all too often, some of the best things can come in the smallest of packages.It was nice to see Florida and Evilene act out different roles other than their showcased parts. The best part of the film was the crazy music. You can tell that the cast members had a really fun time. It's no Broadway legend, but it's cheesiness and its simplicity are sure to catch your eye. I caught it on BET Starz and I never forgot it. It makes me wish that people still had such house parties! Enjoy!

I started watching Don't Play Us Cheap and after just ten minutes I had to start fast forwarding. And even with that and occasional pauses along the way, there was nothing, and I mean nothing, that I found enjoyable or even engaging in this film's ninety minutes or so run time. The set I'll give them credit for creating a realistic, if somewhat stage like, setting of a Harlem apartment. Yet the plot, the cheap graphics, the bad acting and the awful - awful! - singing just made this film absolutely unwatchable. I don't know how some reviewers are giving Don't Play Us Cheap ten stars and nine stars, other than to say that even bad movies have their fans.

If you enjoy avant-garde films and/or cult and/or low budget black (afro-american)comedy, then you are probably already a fan of Melvin Van Peebles. I love telling people about this film because it's so simple yet profound and a whole lot of fun! It feels like this film was originally a stage play cause it all takes place in one flat. The music is bluesy, gospel and folk and yes chile it's low budget, but that's the point. It's great to see black actors like Mabel King and Esther Rolle doing work that you can tell they actually enjoyed doing for a change!!!! Not only did Melvin Van Peebles write the script, but he also composed all of the music. With the exception of Esther Rolle the cast has great, soulful voices, but even the monotoned throaty voice of Rolle adds great character to the film. It's the rawness and honesty of this movie that makes it so great...Besides I'm sure Miss Rolle knows she can't sing!