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Harlem Nights (1989)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 3.8/10
Reviews Counted: 14
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 11

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 32,871

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Movie Info

Eddie Murphy, in addition to starring as Quick, the son of 1930s Harlem gambling-house proprietor Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor), also wrote and directed the film. The plotline details the combined efforts of Quick and Sugar Ray to prevent white gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) from muscling in on their operation. The supporting players include Redd Foxx, Danny Aiello and Jasmine Guy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Action & Adventure, Comedy

Directed By: Eddie Murphy

Written By: Eddie Murphy

In Theaters: Nov 17, 1989 Wide

On DVD: Jan 29, 2002

Paramount Home Video

Harlem Nights Trailer & Photos

Cast

Eddie Murphy
Quick
Richard Pryor
Sugar Ray
Redd Foxx
Bennie Wilson
Danny Aiello
Phil Cantone
Michael Lerner
Bugsy Calhoune
Della Reese
Vera
Berlinda Tolbert
Annie
Stan Shaw
Jack Jenkins
Jasmine Guy
Dominique La Rue
Arsenio Hall
Crying Man
Rick Aiello
Man #1
Don Blakely
Crapshooter
Michael Buffer
Announcer
Ji-Tu Cumbuka
Toothless Gambler
Rudy Challenger
Patron
Roberto Duran
Roberto
Marc Figueroa
One of Calhoune's Boys
Tommy A. Ford
Tommy Smalls
Eugene Robert Glazer
Detective Hogan
Michael Goldfinger
Man
Randy Harris
Todo La Noche
Robin Harris
Jerome
Gene Hartline
Michael Kirkpatrick
Desi Arnez Hines II
Young Quick
Russell Tyrone Jones
Crapshooter
George Kyle
Man at Bugsy's
David Marciano
Tony
Bobby McGee
Gambler
Charlie Murphy
Jimmy
Donald Nardini
Man #2
Miguel A. N��ez Jr.
Man with Broken Nose
Vic Polizos
Richie Vento
Roger E. Reid
Crapshooter
Reynaldo Rey
Gambler
Lela Rochon
Sunshine
Nick Savage
Gambler
Alvin Silver
Headwaiter
Prince C. Spencer
Himself
Michael Stroka
Detective Simms
Dan Tullis Jr.
Crapshooter
William Utay
Cop
Robert Vento
Bartender
Bill Bateman
Orderly
Woody Omens
Ringside Announcer
Steve White
Patron
Kathleen Bradley Overton
Lady
Clarence M. Landry
Old Man
Joe Pecoraro
Joe Leoni
Uncle Ray
Willie
Howard "Sandman" Sims
Crapshooter
Eddie Smith
Driver
Margaret Wheeler
Elderly Woman
Mike Genovese
Desk Sergeant

Critic Reviews for Harlem Nights

All Critics (17) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (11) | DVD (8)

Does it matter to Eddie Murphy whether Harlem Nights is good or bad? It doesn't look like it.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

Once there was Freddy. Once there was Chuckie and Jason and Howard the Duck. Now there is the scariest of them all. Now there is Harlem Nights.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Hal Hinson

Washington Post

Top Critic

An uninspired cross between Cotton Club and the characters of Damon Runyon, told in cliches so broad you keep waiting for it to poke fun at itself, but it never does.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comments (2)

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Not as bad as you might think, but not all that good either.

February 12, 2004 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Though it's not easy to watch, Harlem Nights is gorgeous to look at.

July 30, 2002 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Catherine Cantieri

Apollo Guide

Ugly, pushy and over-the-top, but there's still a bunch of laughs to be found.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

There's maybe two funny moments in this shrill directorial bomb from Eddie Murphy.

July 25, 2002 Comment

Chuck Rudolph

Matinee Magazine

It's narcissistic, misogynistic and extremely mean-spirited.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City

| Comment

Chris Hicks

Deseret News, Salt Lake City

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Harlem Nights

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This movie, directed by Eddie Murphy, was boring, unfunny, and forgettable.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

Very funny and very well put together by Murphy. He could have been a little more generous to his fellow cast though as he pretty much gives himself the best lines.

September 30, 2009

Anthony Lawrie

Super Reviewer

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