Product Details

• Actors: Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Danny Aiello, Michael Lerner
• Directors: Eddie Murphy
• Writers: Eddie Murphy
• Producers: Eddie Murphy, Mark Lipsky, Ralph S. Singleton, Ray Murphy Jr., Robert D. Wachs
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: March 23, 1994
• Run Time: 116 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301661206
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,496 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is a supremely disappointing film, especially considering the talent involved. Indeed, the cast would seem to be the summit of African American comedians, starring the three most influential standups of the modern era: Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, and Eddie Murphy. Murphy obviously was paying respect to his elders when he cast them as his father and grandfather in this story of Harlem in the 1930s. Written and directed by Murphy, the plot involves gangsters and rival nightclub owners but doesn't add up. What's a particular shame is that, with three comics as funny as Murphy, Pryor, and Foxx, there are so few laughs and so much misogyny. Do you really want to watch Della Reese get shot in the foot to shut her up? That's the level of the humor here. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining., March 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Harlem Nights [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A very funny movie which will become a classic. I have seen the movie at least 10 times. Hopefully one day it will be on DVD. The television version takes away some of the comedic dialogue. This all star cast that includes comedy greats such as Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and celebrities such as Della Reese, and Arsenio Hall. It is almost certain to become a much sought after collectable.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Greatest Films Ever Made, January 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Harlem Nights (DVD)

Harlem Nights is one of the best movies ever made. It's a great period piece from the "roaring 20's". It has a cast of some of the greatest comic geniuses from every generation. Redd Foxx is classically funny in his usual manner paired with Della Reese; their exchange of witty banter throughout the entire movie leaves you cracking a smile. Eddie Murphy is as smooth as ever in one of his funniest films. Richard Pryor uses his subtle class to hold this one together. I know some of the language can be a bit much to some people who are not used to it being used as humor. A lot of critics did not think that this movie lived up to the cast involved in it. I am not sure what they were thinking that it should be. It couldn't have been any funnier. It has class, style, great costumes, good dialogue...great charisma between the actor/actresses. I think that if the critics didnt try to be so politically correct all of the time...they might have enjoyed this movie for what it is. Just good old fashioned fun.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't read the Amazon review, this movie was great!, November 27, 2006

By 

S. Chizmadia "The Librarian" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harlem Nights (DVD)

Though Amazon.com didn't think highly of this movie, I did, and thank goodness this movie was made!
Both Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx are not with us anymore, but this IS here. This film shows us the comedic talent of both these men, and to have stars like Eddie Murphy, Danny Aiello, and Della Reese is delicious icing on the cake.
Pryor as Sugar Ray and Murphey as Quick try to keep a vicious mobster from taking over their business. As you might think, they turn the tables on the bad buys!
Jasmine Guy stands out particularly as the mobster's girlfriend, and so does Della Resse as the hard-fighting madam with a heart of gold.
Thank-you, Eddie Murphy, for getting all these wonderful comedic talents together for us and prosperity! Because this movie exists we have them all forever.