

Harlem Nights
'Sugar' Ray is the owner of an illegal casino and must contend with the pressure of vicious gangsters and corrupt police who want to see him go out of business. In the world of organised crime and police corruption in the 1920s, any dastardly trick is fair.
Critics Sentiment
Eddie Murphy and Della Reese have epic memorable fight scene
Calhoune has enforcer Tommy Smalls killed for embezzlement
The biggest swing occurs from the violent Tommy Smalls murder sequence (5.5) to the beloved Eddie Murphy and Della Reese fight scene (8.5), representing viewers' shift from finding the violence jarring to embracing the film's most memorable comedic moment.
Harlem Nights received mixed-positive reception from viewers who appreciated Eddie Murphy's ambitious directorial debut and the legendary cast assembly, particularly praising the period production design and standout comedic moments. While critics found the plot predictable and noted uneven tonal shifts between comedy and violence, most acknowledged the entertaining heist elements and Murphy's solid filmmaking effort. The film peaked with universally beloved scenes like the Murphy-Reese fight, though it struggled with balancing its dramatic aspirations against audience expectations for pure comedy.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 68
Eddie Murphy
Quick

Richard Pryor
Sugar Ray

Redd Foxx
Bennie Wilson

Danny Aiello
Phil Cantone

Michael Lerner
Bugsy Calhoune

Della Reese
Vera

Berlinda Tolbert
Annie

Stan Shaw
Jack Jenkins

Jasmine Guy
Dominique La Rue

Vic Polizos
Richie Vento

Lela Rochon
Sunshine

David Marciano
Tony

Arsenio Hall
Crying Man

Thomas Mikal Ford
Tommy Smalls
Uncle Ray Murphy
Willie (as Uncle Ray)

Michael Goldfinger
Max
Joe Pecoraro
Joe Leoni

Robin Harris
Jerome

Charlie Murphy
Jimmy

Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
Man with Broken Nose
Crew
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