Don't Play Us Cheap (1972)
2.9 of 5 from 46 ratings
1h 37min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Melvin Van Peebles's film version of his own Tony Award nominated Broadway musical, 'Don't Play Us Cheap' is a bold blend of theater and nervy cinematic invention. A cast of Black stage and screen luminaries including Esther Rolle, Mabel King, and Avon Long stars in this charmingly offbeat, fablelike fantasy in which a pair of mischiefmaking devil-bats dispatched by Satan assume human form in order to wreak havoc on a Saturday-night house party in Harlem - only to find their diabolical plan thwarted by their hosts' infectious generosity of spirit. Staged with ebullience, the original blues - and gospel-infused songs by Van Peebles burst forth in a life-affirming celebration of Black joy, tenderness, resilience, and strength. - Actors:
- Thomas Anderson, Jay Van Leer, Robert Dunn, Mabel King, George Ooppee McCurn, Joshie Armstead, Frank Carey, Nate Barnett, Esther Rolle, Avon Long, Rhetta Hughes, Joe Keyes Jr.
- Directors:
- Melvin Van Peebles
- Producers:
- Melvin Van Peebles
- Writers:
- Melvin Van Peebles
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Music & Musicals, Romance
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- Not available for rental
- Run Time:
- 97 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS 4.0
- Subtitles:
- English, English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.66:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
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Reviews (1) of Don't Play Us Cheap
Hustle, Cheek, and a House Party That Runs Out of Steam - Don't Play Us Cheap review by griggs
It feels held together with hustle and cheek — and honestly, that’s half the fun. Set around a Harlem house party, it lives for the chatter and the chaos, and the songs have real swagger. But it’s more revue than story, so scenes can drift just when they’re starting to pop. Don’t Play Us Cheap is ragged in a lovable way… right up until it starts testing your patience.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.