Harlem Nights

1989, Comedy, 1h 58m

35 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

An all-star comedy lineup is wasted on a paper-thin plot and painfully clunky dialogue. Read critic reviews

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Harlem Nights Photos

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Movie Info

In the waning days of Prohibition, Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and his adopted son, Quick (Eddie Murphy), run a speakeasy called Club Sugar Ray. When gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) learns that Sugar Ray's place is pulling in more money than his own establishment, the Pitty Pat Club, he pays corrupt cop Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) to close Club Sugar Ray down. Quick doesn't exactly help the situation when he falls for Calhoune's gun moll, Miss Dominique La Rue (Jasmine Guy).
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Eddie Murphy
  • Producer:
    Robert D. Wachs, Mark Lipsky
  • Writer:
    Eddie Murphy
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $58.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Paramount Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

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
Eddie Murphy
Director
Eddie Murphy
Screenwriter
Robert D. Wachs
Producer
Mark Lipsky
Producer
Eddie Murphy
Executive Producer
Woody Omens
Cinematography
Alan Balsam
Film Editing
George Bowers
Film Editing
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Harlem Nights

All Critics (35) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (27)
Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune Full Review… Michael Wilmington Los Angeles Times Full Review… Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Full Review… William Thomas Empire Magazine Full Review… Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Full Review… Nathan Paige Call and Post (Cleveland) Full Review… Candice Russell South Florida Sun-Sentinel Full Review… Dennis King Tulsa World Full Review… Ralph Novak People Magazine Full Review… Peter Freedman Radio Times Full Review… TV Guide Staff TV Guide
View All Critic Reviews (35)

Audience Reviews for Harlem Nights

  • Oct 11, 2020
    I don't support the reputation of ‘Harlem Nights' as a stinker. There are noticeable flaws - and yet I enjoyed myself. Even though Pryor is underused, I was grinning ear to ear every moment Della Reese and Redd Foxx are on screen. Really, damn near all of the supporting cast boost the script's shortcomings. This crime saga would've gelled better if Murphy'd prioritized the humor more often; whenever there is levity, 'Harlem' certainly picks up steam. But Murphy wanted his extravagantly-dressed caper and he stocked it using the gangster movie playbook of cliche characters, and that's okay. Everyone looks and acts the part, and it works.
    Marisol M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 14, 2013
    Eddie Murphy promised great things with this early attempt at a serious film. He was so serious that he invited comedy legends Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx to join him. They could have used humour to relieve some of the boredom.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    This movie, directed by Eddie Murphy, was boring, unfunny, and forgettable.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Oct 25, 2009
    This movie never gets old.1 of my favorites
    Brody M Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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