Review

Murphy wrote, directed and stars in this gangster comedy set in late-1930s Harlem. Pryor and his "adopted" son Murphy are up against a crooked cop and a white mob kingpin who want a piece of their lucrative nightspot. Superlative sets and costumes can't mask an unfunny screenplay, in which most of the humor is one character cursing at another. Director Murphy's film lacks the energy needed to sustain the farcical romp to wants to be; however, writer Murphy is to be applauded for giving Pryor the plum part of the film -- and the veteran comic makes the most of it. Shaw is especially good in support as a punch-drunk boxer.