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The Guy from Harlem

  • 1977
  • R
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
2.5/10
775
YOUR RATING
The Guy from Harlem (1977)
ActionDrama

A private detective operating in Miami is hired to protect the wife of an African head of state in town for diplomatic business, and to recover the daughter of the leader of a criminal organ... Read allA private detective operating in Miami is hired to protect the wife of an African head of state in town for diplomatic business, and to recover the daughter of the leader of a criminal organization, who has been kidnapped by a rival gang.A private detective operating in Miami is hired to protect the wife of an African head of state in town for diplomatic business, and to recover the daughter of the leader of a criminal organization, who has been kidnapped by a rival gang.

  • Director
    • Rene Martinez Jr.
  • Writer
    • Gardenia Martinez
  • Stars
    • Loye Hawkins
    • Cathy Davis
    • Patricia Fulton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    2.5/10
    775
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rene Martinez Jr.
    • Writer
      • Gardenia Martinez
    • Stars
      • Loye Hawkins
      • Cathy Davis
      • Patricia Fulton
    • 38User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos19

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Loye Hawkins
    • Al Connors
    Cathy Davis
    • Wanda De Bauld
    Patricia Fulton
    • Mrs. Ashanti
    Wanda Starr
    • Sue
    Steve Gallon
    • Harry De Bauld
    Laster Wilson
    • Larry De Bauld
    Scott Lawrence
    • Big Daddy
    Vaughn Harris
    • David McLeod, CIA
    • (as Vaughan Harris)
    Richie Vallon
    • Jim
    Michael Murrell
    • Paul Benson
    Angela Schon
    • Jo Ann
    Douglas Ferraro
    • Man #1
    Fernando Yi
    • Man #2
    Colleen Martinez
    • Masseuse
    Hyatt Hodgdon
    • Mac
    Mickeal Taylor
    • Special Man
    Raff Prieto
    • Waitress
    Lafon Hockaday
    • Health Spa Owner
    • Director
      • Rene Martinez Jr.
    • Writer
      • Gardenia Martinez
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews38

    2.5775
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    Featured reviews

    1rfanning

    Surprised to see it listed!

    I saw this movie almost 30 years ago, shortly after I participated in the filming of it. I don't remember much, but I remember thinking it was pretty good considering it was done with amateurs and almost no budget! But everything is relative, and given the choice today, I would have to say that the only reason I would watch it again is because my name is in the credits. The real life scenes that occurred during the filming of it were definitely more interesting than the movie itself. I did enjoy some of the soundtrack which was written and performed by professionals, a local Miami band called "Brand New". PS The leading lady may not win an Oscar, but she could definitely win an award for her voice!
    1dbborroughs

    Badly made kidnap story would have been better as a porn film

    Watching this tale of a detective from Harlem, who now works in Florida (hence the title) I was struck by how much better this film would be if there was some hardcore sex in it. The idea may make me seem like an absolute pig but if you watch this movie for more than five minutes you too will be struck by two thoughts:

    First - when is the sex going to start because this movie looks and feels like a bad 1970's porn film. Second - when is the sex going to start since this movie is so awful that its probably the only thing the film makers could do to make this movie even remotely interesting.

    This movie is a turkey. Its cheap, badly filmed, badly acted with awful action and a stupid plot (its got something to do with the kidnapping of an African Ambassador's wife or daughter or something). Its on that fine line between so bad its good and so bad its bad and it wobbles back and forth across it minute by minute.

    If you're a true bad movie lover see it. If you're any other type of movie lover stay away because there is no sex to spice things up.
    1Tera-Jones

    Garbage

    I got this movie in the Drive-in 50-pack collection. It's a filler film that is complete garbage. It's a blaxploitation film about a kidnapping but more like soft-core porn-garbage. I agree with another reviewer that the film should have been left for the porn-racket instead of trying to pass this off as an action crime-drama.

    Z-rating all the way. Bad acting, pitiful story, and nudity. A crappy excuse to put boobs and soft-core porn in to a blaxploitation film.

    This is worse than the bottom of the barrel, the film is buried deep under where the barrel is sitting.

    THIS is the world's worst film, if it isn't then it's in the top 10 ten list. Why Mill Creek decided to put this rubbish in the Drive-in 50-pack is beyond me. This is not the kind of film that should be circulated but should be burned the garbage pile.

    1/10
    2planktonrules

    Strictly for amateurs

    "The Guy From Harlem" is strictly filled with amateurs--and NOTHING about the film is polished or appears very good. It truly looks as if no one from the film had any experience in the industry and they were all just winging it! It is a terrible film--though I have seen worse.

    The CIA wants the hero to protect the wife of an African head of state. So, inexplicably, instead of protecting her themselves, they seek out the private dick, Al Connors. Connors completes this assignment--along with beating up a few baddies and having his way with the sexy lady. Then, a mobster approaches Connors--his daughter has been kidnapped. So, Connors beats up some baddies and, not surprisingly, has his way with this lady as well. Both plots are amazingly similar and I have no idea why they didn't just have one plot instead of two which were nearly identical.

    Al Connors (Loy Hawkins) is one of the lowest energy and least exciting blaxploitation heroes I've ever seen in a film. He lacks style but makes up for it in crappy fighting skills and no charisma. He isn't helped any by the fact that most of the supporting actors cannot deliver their lines--at least Hawkins does not stumble over his lines--he more just strolls through them in slow-motion. Overall, you've got cheap sets, poor acting, horrendous dialog, a repetitive plot and nothing positive to distinguish this film from the pack. Dull beyond belief.
    2migspit

    Very cheap blaxploitation but good for a laugh

    First off.despite some comments,this is not the worst movie ever made.There is no doubting the facts that it contains awful acting,amateur direction and production values,however its not the snooze fest some truly "bad" movies are.I quite enjoyed the ludicrous hero who seduces every woman he meets(within mins) and beats people up employing no fighting skills whatsoever.I like the fact the same interiors are used for different locations and the dialogue is corny as hell and delivered terribly.There's plenty of laughs to be had so its never truly boring.If you want bad movies try Curse of the Headless Horseman,Cannibal Terror,The Killing Edge or Black Devil Doll from Hell! The Guy From Harlem is far more entertaining than those stinkers. Now where can I find the sequel?

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rifftrax has done a commentary track for this film.
    • Goofs
      Several actors flub lines throughout the film. Possibly the most noticeable example is when Harry thanks Sue by saying, "Good lookin', you've been... you took care of business."
    • Quotes

      Al Connors: I've got the money, the coke and a picture of your daughter. There's one more thing I need.

      Harry De Bauld: What is that, Al?

      Al Connors: That's all the information you can give me on this Big Daddy fella. Who is he?

      Harry De Bauld: When you say 'who is he?' you're talking about what he looks like and where he hangs out. Nobody knows, Al. That's one thing we can't tell you much about. Very few people ever see Big Daddy. The only thing I can tell you though, he's about six feet two inches tall, has blond, curly hair and, man, you talking about some muscles... he got some muscles on him, and he always wears bands around his muscles. That's the only thing we can tell you about Big Daddy. Nobody ever sees him.

      Larry De Bauld: That's true. In fact, he has a reputation of never pulling any of his own stunts. He always sends his cheap bums to do the dirty work.

      Al Connors: Looks like I'm gonna have to pay this Big Daddy Fella a little visit.

    • Connections
      Edited into Dusk to Dawn Drive-in Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 10 (2007)

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    FAQ11

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 1977 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Парень из Гарлема
    • Filming locations
      • Miami, Florida, USA
    • Production company
      • International Cinema Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 26m(86 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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