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Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'

  • TV Special
  • 1971
  • R
  • 48m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971)
Dark ComedyParodySatireStand-UpComedy

Richard Pryor delivering his one-of-a-kind routine. One of his earliest live performances in 1971 at the Improvisation in New York.Richard Pryor delivering his one-of-a-kind routine. One of his earliest live performances in 1971 at the Improvisation in New York.Richard Pryor delivering his one-of-a-kind routine. One of his earliest live performances in 1971 at the Improvisation in New York.

  • Director
    • Michael Blum
  • Writer
    • Richard Pryor
  • Star
    • Richard Pryor
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Blum
    • Writer
      • Richard Pryor
    • Star
      • Richard Pryor
    • 7User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast1

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    Richard Pryor
    Richard Pryor
    • Self
    • Director
      • Michael Blum
    • Writer
      • Richard Pryor
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews7

    6.41.2K
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    Featured reviews

    4videorama-759-859391

    Concert movie, not that smokin'

    The weakest of the four, as we watch the birth of a comedy genius unfold. This is a more raw type of concert, as we're not in the usual, vast, lively and favorable surroundings. Instead we're in a dark smoking atmosphere, where the daily lunch and dinner specials read in the b.g, as for forty five minutes, it's the usual Pryor comedic routine, but to a litter duller and a bit halted extent. Richard, doing those voices, especially that familiar women's voice, that I love so much, while delivering those fictional stories, Pryor, a really good actor, don't forget, putting voices to em'. There were a few intermittent chuckles, as this was Pryor in his prime, before Hollywood came knocking, and he went onto much bigger success as a comic, so it's good to see him here in his early and humble beginnings. This is a more personal concert one, too, Pryor reflecting, home truth and life experiences, whether drugs, whatever. He also brings up the clap, and potters around with it, exorcising it in classic Pryor style, even taking it up a notch, by adding 'black' to it. He doesn't get the most receptive audience as to his later concerts, where of course, this was early days. Laughs are scattered, some of his material patchy, a lot of his jokes to me, kept falling on deaf or unamused ears. But still it's worth a watch, where we witness a comedy great, and the funniest black man in America. RIP, Richard.
    6tavm

    Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' is a worthy look at his stand-up from the early '70s

    With it being Black History Month and all, I've been going through various movies featuring people of color in chronological order since the first day of February. So now I'm at 1971, April 29th in fact, at New York Improvisation where Richard Pryor has his stand-up act being filmed for the first time. Lots of stuff about getting' some especially with white women, a few digs at the Nixon White House, the contrast between his people and the white people he knew, before he finishes with a rambling monologue about an elderly and drunk man he portrays thinking back to when he was young. The last one seems more serious in intent so not much laughs there. In summary, most of what I heard wasn't great but since this was when he was truly exploring his background for material, there were still some genuine laughs coming from me when he touched on subjects like Dracula with black people or someone's reaction when the ice cream man's music is heard in the 'hood as well as some of the above. So on that note, Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' is worth a look.
    10marc-151

    Brilliant

    This guy was so far ahead of his time that a NY audience doesn't even come close to getting it. Prior improvises, switches gears, does serious monologues and character pieces.

    It's a shame there isn't more material with this guy doing what made him famous...
    10zulubeat

    This Was The King At His Earliest and Rawest

    How could anyone call this material dated? It is priceless, timeless and unmatched. It was also his first performance recorded for an album. I love it.

    The skits are masterpieces! I learned about politics, religion, relationships, etc., all from Richard Pryor. He brought it to you real....and real funny.

    He and Carlin set the standard for comedy. They were unafraid to delve into any area. This DVD is 20th century history and should be placed in a time capsule along with other significant items like the Rubix cube, The Watergate Tapes, and the Ford Pinto, etc. to ensure an accurate portrayal of the 1970s in America.

    The King is dead but not forgotten.
    6lee_eisenberg

    still, it's not quite his best

    While I like pretty much all of Richard Pryor's work, I suspect that "Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'" probably embarrassed him a little bit. The humor is very dated, and Pryor looks somewhat uncomfortable here.

    But even so, he certainly tells some funny stuff. I think that my favorite of his material here is the stuff about the Nixons (this was filmed in 1971); I get the feeling that Pryor's assertion about their sex life was an accurate one.

    So anyway, hard-core Pryor fans won't want to miss this one, but others might not feel so enthused. OK in a pinch.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Noted as one of Pryor's most raw and iconic routines ever, this one features some of his most beloved and classic routines which include "Willie the Junkie", and Wino Preacher" among others...
    • Quotes

      Richard Pryor: Always wanted to be something. I never wanted to be white. I'm glad I'm black cause I'd hate to be white. Cause you all got to go to the moon.

    • Crazy credits
      After the credits, Pryor tells a joke that gets minimal laughter. Pryor then says "This ain't as funny as we thought it was gonna be. Motherfuck showbiz."
    • Connections
      Edited into Heroes of Black Comedy (2002)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 29, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ричард Прайор: Вживую и курит
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 48m

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