History Film / HarlemNights

Murphy's first (and only) feature directorial effort, the film grossed $95 million on a budget of 30 mil, but it was still considered a disappointment compared to Murphy's prior starring vehicles like ''Film/ComingToAmerica'' and ''Film/BeverlyHillsCop''. It also earned a UsefulNotes/GoldenRaspberryAward for Worst Screenplay. That being said, the film has a cult following thanks in no small part to its ensemble cast of black comedians, and it's regularly played on black tv stations to this day.

''Harlem Nights'' is a 1989 American crime {{dramedy}} film written and directed by Creator/EddieMurphy, who also stars along with Creator/RichardPryor, Creator/ReddFoxx, Creator/ArsenioHall, and Creator/JasmineGuy. Set in [[BigApplesauce Harlem, New York]] in [[TheGreatDepression 1938]], it's about a father-son duo running an illicit after-hours nightclub/casino disguised as a candy store while contending with gangsters and [[DirtyCop corrupt police officials]].

Murphy's first (and only) feature directorial effort, the film was a critical and box-office disappointment,[[note]]not exactly a flop--it grossed over $16 million in its opening weekend--but not nearly as successful as Murphy's prior starring vehicles[[/note]] and earned a UsefulNotes/GoldenRaspberryAward for Worst Screenplay.

* FemmeFatale: Dominique La Rue.

* OutWithABang: [[spoiler:Dominique la Rue tries this on Quick, but ends up getting the tables turned.]]

* ParentalAbandonment: Richie leaves his wife and daughter for Sunshine, even converted from Catholicism to Baptism for her.

* {{Fingore}}: At one point, Bugsy Calhoune has one of his right hand men Tony, who's failed him place his hand on the edge of a grand piano, and knocks away the lid's support to smash the man's fingers.

Murphy's first (and only) feature directorial effort, the film won a UsefulNotes/GoldenRaspberryAward for Worst Screenplay.

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''Harlem Nights'' is a 1989 crime comedy/drama film written by, directed by, and starring Creator/EddieMurphy along with Creator/RichardPryor, [[Series/SanfordAndSon Redd Foxx]], Creator/ArsenioHall and Creator/JasmineGuy. The Film is Set in [[TheGreatDepression 1938]], Harlem, New York, and is about a Father-Son Duo running a Nightclub disguised as a candy store while contending with gangsters and [[DirtyCop corrupt police officials]].

The film marks the first (and only) time that Murphy has directed a feature film, the film won a Razzie for Worst Screenplay afterwards.

NeedsWikiMagicLove.

* EmbarrassingFirstName: Quick’s real name is ''Vernest'' Brown. He’s understandably not proud of it.

* LittleUselessGun: While the Crying Man and one of his associates are firing [[{{BFG}} Tommy guns]] at Quick, another is firing a small-caliber handgun that makes a weak firecracker-like noise. The Crying Man smacks his associate, saying "Don’t shoot that little motherfucker no more!"

* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: While Bugsy Calhoune’s muscling in on Club Sugar Ray appears to be strictly business, Cantone is jealous of the success of black men like Ray and Quick. Even more so as a cop living in squalor while they happen to be gambling criminals living a life of luxury.

* SignatureLaugh: Wouldn’t be an Eddie Murphy movie without one. Tommy Smalls also has a distinctive, over-the-top guffaw.

* YouHaveFailedMe: Calhoune does not take incompetence lightly at all. He threatens his right hand man Tony with death if he brings another crooked person in to his organization again and that’s before smashing Tony’s hand with the top of the piano and completely breaking it. He also has Cantone and Tony murder Tommy for swindling him out of $5,000.

* YouHaveFailedMe: Calhoune does not take incompetence lightly at all. He threatens his right hand man Tony with death if he brings another crooked person in to his organization again and that’s before smashing Tony’s hand with the top of the piano and completely breaking it....... He also has Cantone and Tony murder Tommy for swindling him out of $ 5,000.

''Harlem Nights'' is a 1989 crime comedy/drama film written by, directed by, and starring Creator/EddieMurphy along with Creator/RichardPryor, [[Series/SanfordAndSon Redd Foxx]], Creator/ArsenioHall and Creator/JasmineGuy. The Film is Set in [[TheGreatDepression 1938]], Harlem, New York, and is about a Father-Son Duo running a Nightclub disused as a candy store while contending with gangsters and [[DirtyCop corrupt police officials]].

-->'''Sugar Ray:''' That's because you're young, full of vigor and life and a little ignorant I might add. You're not thinking about Calhoun. He could kill you by snapping his fucking fingers... You got a gun, he got a gun, his boys got guns, cops got guns, he's even got judges on his payroll. I mean don't that make you feel a little uncomfortable. I know you're supposed to be a bad motherfucker, but there's a hundred guns and you out on the street with one gun!

''Harlem Nights'' is a 1989 crime comedy/drama film written by, directed by, and starring Creator/EddieMurphy along with Creator/RichardPryor, [[Series/SanfordAndSon Redd Foxx]], Arsenio Hall and Jasmine Guy. The Film is Set in [[TheGreatDepression 1938]], Harlem, New York, and is about a Father-Son Duo running a Nightclub disused as a candy store while contending with gangsters and [[DirtyCop corrupt police officials]].

* CrapsackWorld: The setting is TheGreatDepression, so life is not going to be fun.

* {{Fingore}}: At one point, Bugsy Calhoune has an associate who's failed him place his hand on the edge of a grand piano, and knocks away the lid's support to smash the man's fingers.

-->'''Sugar Ra:''' That's because you're young, full of vigor and life and a little ignorant I might add. You're not thinking about Calhoun. He could kill you by snapping his fucking fingers... You got a gun, he got a gun, his boys got guns, cops got guns, he's even got judges on his payroll. I mean don't that make you feel a little uncomfortable. I know you're supposed to be a bad motherfucker, but there's a hundred guns and you out on the street with one gun!

* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: Other the Paramount Pictures logo[[note]]It carries the "early morning" version from the late '80s[[/note]] at the start and end, the entire movie takes place at night.

-->''Quick:'' I ain't afraid of going up against Smalls or Calhoun!
-->''Sugar Rat:'' That's because you're young, full of vigor and life and a little ignorant I might add. You're not thinking about Calhoun. He could kill you by snapping his fucking fingers... You got a gun, he got a gun, his boys got guns, cops got guns, he's even got judges on his payroll. I mean don't that make you feel a little uncomfortable. I know you're supposed to be a bad motherfucker, but there's a hundred guns and you out on the street with one gun!

* FearlessFool: Quick is one of these to deconstructive levels. His bravado and completely apathy towards attacking Calhoune for messing with his club's business is met with intense criticism from Sugar Ray and if not for his ability to react quickly to danger he would have been dead twice over.

* BatmanGambit: Sugar Ray's plot to take down Bugsy Calhoune.[[spoiler: Sugar Ray planned to rob Calhoune of all the money that would be placed on the boxing champion Jack Jenkins by having Jenkins take a dive during the match after betting against him and stealing the rest of the money from Calhoune later before skipping town.]]

''Harlem Nights'' is a 1989 crime comedy/drama film written by, directed by, and starring Creator/EddieMurphy along with Creator/RichardPryor, [[Series/SanfordAndSon Redd Foxx]], Arsenio Hall and Jasmine Guy. The Film is Set in [[TheGreatDepression 1938]], Harlem, New York, and is about a Father-Son Duo running a Nightclub while contending with gangsters and [[DirtyCop corrupt police officials]].

* BatmanGambit: Sugar Ray's plot to take down Bugsy Calhoune.

* FearlessFool: Quick is one of these to deconstructive levels. His bravado and completely apathy towards attacking Calhoune for messing with his club's business is met with intense criticism from Sugar and if not for his ability to react quickly to danger he would have dead twice over.

* [[IJustShotMarvinInTheFace I Just Shot Marvin in the Back of the Head:]] After Quick collides with the Crying Man, who accidentally ventilates the man sitting in front of him in the car.

* {{Fingore}}: At one point, Bugsy Calhoune has an associate who's failed him place his hand on the edge of a grand piano, and knocks away the lid's support.

* ImprobableAimingSkills: Quick survives the attack by the Crying Man and his friends by firing three fatal shots from cover in under a second.

* ParentalAbandonment: Richie leaves his wife and daughter for Sunshine.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: While Bugsy Calhoune’s muscling in on Club Sugar Ray appears to be strictly business, Cantone is jealous of the success of black men like Ray and Quick.

* WouldHitAGirl: Quick shoots off Vera's pinky toe and [[spoiler:kills Dominique]].

* [[IJustShotMarvinInTheFace I Just Shot Marvin in the Back of the Head:]] After Quick collides with the Crying Man, who accidentally ventilates the man sitting in front of him the car.