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The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings (1976)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 15
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 2

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 204

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Movie Info

Based on the novel by William Brasher, The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings is set in the segregated south of 1939. African-American baseball pitcher Bingo Long (Billy Dee Williams), tired of being jerked around by the less-than-ethical managers of the Negro League teams, forms his own barnstorming ball club. His partner in this endeavor is black catcher Leon Carter (James Earl Jones). Though boycotted by powerful Negro League manager Sallison Porter (Ted Ross), the Bingo Long

PG, 1 hr. 51 min.

Comedy

Directed By: John Badham

Written By: Hal Barwood, Matthew Robbins

In Theaters: Jul 16, 1976 Wide

On DVD: Apr 5, 2005

MCA Universal Home Video

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings Trailer & Photos

Cast

Billy Dee Williams
Bingo Long
James Earl Jones
Leon
Richard Pryor
Charlie Snow
Rico Dawson
Willie Lee
Sam "Birmingham" Briston
Louis
Jophery C. Brown
Champ Chambers
Leon Wagner
Fat Sam
Tony Burton
Isaac
John McCurry
Walter Murchman
DeWayne Jessie
Rainbow
Ted Ross
Sallie Potter
Mabel King
Bertha
Sam Laws
Henry Owner of Elite Gi...
Carl Gordon
Mack
Ahna Capri
Prostitute
John R. McKee
Stranger
Alvin Childress
Horace
Joel Fluellen
Mr. Holland
Ken Foree
Honey
Sarina C. Grant
Pearline
Stan Shaw
Esquire Joe Calloway
Sam Birmingham Brison

Critic Reviews for The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (2) | DVD (5)

Rowdy, good-natured comedy melodrama.

March 21, 2011 Comment

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Top Critic

This is a friendly, no-account movie full of intermittent high spirits.

March 21, 2011 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

| Comment

Jay Cocks

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

A slick and reasonably funny comedy.

March 21, 2011 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Billy Dee Williams and James Earl Jones are superb.

April 8, 2009 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Genial, slapdash, high-spirited and occasionally moving.

May 9, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Bingo Long is fun, it's pleasant to watch, but it cakewalks too much on its way to the box office.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

It's hard to understand why this good-natured look at the old Negro Leagues didn't do better at the box office. The script is a fine mix of humor, pathos, and honest drama; the direction is brisk; and the photography and production design are first-rate.

March 21, 2011 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment (1)

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Excellent performances, but the best thing about it is the sharp, sceptically witty script by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins.

April 8, 2009 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Tom Milne

Time Out

This isn't a great film by any means, but its heart is in the right place.

December 8, 2002 Full Review Source: Film Threat

| Comment

Brad Laidman

Film Threat

If you've seen Major League and The Bad News Bears at least five times apiece, this is a relatively forgotten little comedy that is definitely worth a look.

February 13, 2002 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Scott Weinberg

Apollo Guide

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings

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Very enjoyable comedy about an all black baseball team set in the 1930's. Good cast, well written and very entertaining. Good music. Light fun. James Earl Jones stands out in the cast.

September 21, 2007