Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) Movie Script

♪ Ain't now ♪

♪ but it's gonna be ♪

♪ Black ♪

♪ enough for me ♪

♪ Ain't now ♪

♪ but it's gonna be ♪

♪ Black enough to see ♪

♪ To see red ♪

♪ when the song is wrong ♪

♪ To see blue ♪

♪ When the fear is gone ♪

♪ To see green ♪

♪ on the pea-green sea ♪

♪ of humanity ♪

♪ in the wide, wide light ♪

♪ of the night ♪

♪ Ain't now ♪

♪ but it's gonna be ♪

♪ Black enough to be ♪

♪ Black enough to see ♪

♪ Black enough for me ♪

♪ To see red

when the song is wrong ♪

♪ To see blue ♪

♪ when the fear is gone ♪

♪ To see green ♪

♪ On the pea-green sea ♪

♪ of humanity ♪

♪ in the wide, wide light ♪

♪ of the night ♪

♪ Ain't now ♪

♪ but it's gonna be ♪

♪ Black enough to be ♪

♪ Black enough to see ♪

♪ Black enough for me ♪

♪ Ain't now ♪

♪ but it's gonna be ♪

[Cheering]

Man:

Come see what I got for ya!

Come on, Deke, come on!

Aah!

[Cheering]

I thought we told you

to stop working our

precinct, Early Riser.

We got bigger fish

to fry.

You do your trickin'

somewhere else.

Is that my--

[cheering]

Deke!

[Cheering]

Is everybody here

having a good time?

[Cheering]

How about

that weather up there?

Is it fine enough for you?

How about me?

How about Deke, your man?

How about me?

Yeah!

Am I big enough for you?

18 months ago...

I was down on my knees in

the white man's jailhouse.

Mmm!

Yes!

I wasn't down on my knees

in the jailhouse to pray.

No!

I wasn't even down on

my knees to shoot craps.

Ha ha!

Deke O'Malley

was down on his knees

in the white man's jail

cleaning out the

white man's toilet bowl!

No!

All right!

So I--I asked the lord

to help me!

To show me the way!

And bless my soul, he did!

Yeah!

He did!

The lord come to me

in a dream!

He said,

"Deke, I want to use you

like I used Noah of old!"

He said, "Deke, I want you

to build an ark

and sail my people home!"

Yeah!

And there she is,

black beauty!

Are you black enough

to hear me?

Amen! Amen!

For 3 months now,

in Detroit, Chicago,

Los Angeles,

Baltimore, Washington,

people have been

standing in line,

waitin' and waitin'

for a chance to get

on board black beauty.

'Cause, brothers,

we are going home.

Good-bye, rats and roaches!

Good-bye being

kicked and low-rated!

Good-bye getting

robbed and cheated!

Good-bye having to live

on the white man's welfare!

Right on, brother!

We are going home.

Come on! Next!

What's your name, Miss?

You'll find salvation.

How the hell did he

get a permit for this?

Lieutenant says

it's a race leap.

It's doing good

for his people.

Thank You, Reverend O'Malley,

thank You.

♪ We're going home ♪

♪ all going home ♪

♪ we're going home ♪

♪ going home ♪

♪ we're going home ♪

There you go.

Thank You.

But, Sir, the minimum

down payment is $100.

Oh, please, Ma'am.

You don't want to break ol'

Uncle Budd's heart, do ya ?

$20. Count it. It's all I

got in the world right now,

but give me a chance.

Please, ma'am.

O'Malley: Why not?

Yeah, sure.

Uncle Budd?

Uncle Budd.

Yeah, Uncle Budd.

There You go.

Okay, step right up!

God bless You, brother.

Well, if it ain't King

Kong and Frankenstein.

Hey, Ed, I didn't know these

cats was going back to Africa.

They ain't. They're going right back

across the street where they come from.

Only thing I hate worse

than a honky pig cop,

and that's

a nigger pig cop.

What kind of talk

is that, soul brother?

Don't you know that

black is beautiful?

Fly, baby.

Just cool it.

O'Malley?

Yes.

We're from the D.A.'S

office. He wants to see you.

D.A.'S office?

Well, I'm busy.

Now! Let's go!

Wait a minute, buddy!

Let's see

your credentials.

Quit stalling, O'Malley.

Black Judas!

That's what you are!

Honky!

Now, now. I'm going

downtown right now

and tell that white man's

district attorney

that Deke O'Malley's gettin' sick

and tired of being pushed around.

[Cheering]

Keep it black

till I get back.

Ok, let's go.

[Gunshots]

[Screaming]

[Gunfire]

John! John!

John!

Get in!

[Horn honks]

Don't you step on my ribs!

Whoo! Hey, Sister,

come here!

[Grunting]

[Gibberish]

No, no, no, no!

[Distant gunfire]

[Gunfire continues]

[Tires screeching]

[Doorbell rings]

Ok, what do you want?

Deke O'Malley.

Yeah? And what's that

got to do with me?

We ain't got O'Malley.

We sure as hell got you.

Which means that sooner

or later, we got O'Malley.

Is that black enough

for ya?

What do we got here?

[Whistles]

We know how finicky the good

Reverend is about his wardrobe,

so he oughta be scootin' up

here any minute to change.

Hey, Ed,

dig these fine vines.

Mmm! And on your po' policeman's

salary, you can't afford it.

Ain't that awful?

What a shame. Not a

single one your size.

Now, wait a minute. I think this

Italian suit here'll work for me.

Thing of beauty.

What's this here?

Bless Jesus.

A silk hat for occasions.

My, my.

What sacrifices he makes

for his po' starvin' people.

He sure do.

Now, somebody shot up

O'Malley's barbecue

and made off with 87 grand

of poor people's money.

Who?

The question is...Who ?

Whoever it was

just missed.

Another couple of inches, and we would've

brought you his brains in a saucer.

Oh, yeah? Who did it?

I just asked you that.

O'Malley

ratted on the mafia.

Remember?

Could've been them.

Them boys

don't never forget.

Could be

his number's up,

unless Digger and me

get to him first.

Where is he?

Well, how about it?

Hidin' out,

he ain't got a chance, Iris.

Deke O'Malley

always has a chance.

[Telephone rings]

Hello, Betty?

Give me that!

All right, O'Malley, do

yourself a favor and come in--

you bitch!

God damn it, Ed,

cool it!

He's crazy.

He's crazy. That son of a bitch

is crazy! I want him out!

I got him, Iris.

2 days, 2 weeks,

2 months.

It's all the same.

I'm nailing his ass

to the wall.

Be smart, Iris.

Get off the boat

before we sink it.

[ Doorbell rings ]

Ed. Digger.

Something new on the

O'Malley squeal. What ?

They found the meat truck and the

golden money wagon all smashed up.

One got killed.

O'Malley?

No.

Lieutenant wants you two

guys up there right away.

Where?

Harlem river yard.

Oh, by the way, what's

with her? She talk?

No, but she's our main lead

to O'Malley, so watch her.

Be cool, brother.

Jarema is hep.

She's a stone fox.

Watch your ass.

No sweat there.

Found some confetti.

Where's the loot?

Ask O'Malley.

I know how you feel

about O'Malley. Do you ?

You make him?

Yeah. He's a pickpocket

named Early Riser.

He was at the rally.

He works with a partner

named Lo Boy, a junkie.

They worked

the holy dream.

Could be the militants, Ed.

They hate O'Malley's guts.

No. They wouldn't

pull a job like this.

It ain't their style.

Hey, Ed!

What is it?

Look at this.

Cotton from inside

the meat truck.

One thing's for sure:

It ain't drugstore cotton.

What is it?

It's raw,

unprocessed cotton,

like from a bale.

Ah. It's a long time

since I seen cotton like that.

Digger, you ain't never

seen no raw cotton before.

You was born and raised right

here in New York, just like me.

What the hell

are you two doing here?

Digger found

a hidden drop slot.

This was in it.

It's full of trash.

The syndicate.

When O'Malley was with 'em, he talked,

and they threatened to get him.

Why'd they wait?

White guns comin' up here,

trying to knock off

Reverend O'Malley, you think?

Could be.

Blacks find out about this,

there'll be hell to pay.

I want round the clock police

protection for Reverend O'Malley.

To hell with O'Malley!

What about the $87,000

of poor black folks' money

that he stole from all

over this country? Stole?

That's right. Stole!

We ran a check on

O'Malley's entire operation.

It's clean.

Absolutely legitimate.

Full clearance from

the State Department,

Securities Exchange

Commission,

the Attorney General of the State

of New York. What else do you want?

What the hell does the Attorney

General, the State Department,

or even the President

of the United States know

about one goddamned thing that's

going on up here in Harlem?

Ed O'Malley's respected by

responsible people. Respect, my ass!

Pastors, race leaders,

politicians,

not to mention the large following

he has among black folk everywhere.

Black folk need hope

like everybody else.

What is it

with you people?

One of you like Reverend

O'Malley tries to do something,

does anybody try to

help him? Hell no!

You're after him

like crabs in a basket.

Uh, how many shares of the Back to

Africa, Inc. Would you buy, Captain?

That's impertinent.

The hell it is!

One more word out of you, and

I'll run you right off the lot.

We've been trying to teach

white folks all our lives.

School's over.

Let's go look for Lo Boy

at junkies' paradise.

Damn it, Anderson. Who's in

charge of this investigation,

you or them?

You've gotta understand

Ed and Digger, Sir.

I understand those two,

all right.

Too quick

with their fists,

too flip with their talk,

too fast with their guns.

They're two damn black maniacs

on a powder keg,

and you're

letting them run wild.

Ed and Digger, they have their own special

way of dealing with things up here.

And if they find something

kinky on Reverend O'Malley,

I've gotta respect it.

Sister!

Yes?

Good afternoon, Sister.

And what kind of trick are you trying

to play on me, you old Uncle Tom?

Ain't no trick, ma'am.

I'm just trying to get this

bale of cotton onto my cart.

Cotton?

Yes, ma'am.

And I was just wonderin'

if some good, nice-lookin',

strong Christian lady like

you wouldn't give me a hand.

I am a Christian.

That's why I don't take a

stick and knock your teeth out.

All of you trying

to steal my money!

Tryin' to steal

your money?

Yes! Trickers! That's what

you are. Every one of you!

Why, you old fool!

Don't you think

I got sense enough to know

there ain't no such thing as

a bale of cotton in Harlem?

Hmmph!

Ed: That damn Bryce

chewin' my ass out.

Dumb Anderson

didn't say a word.

Well, he's got his own

mortgage to worry about.

I oughta quit this job.

All right, now,

suppose you do quit.

Suppose you tell 'em to

take the badge and shove it.

Who's gonna

pay your mortgage?

You.

Mm-mm!

Not me, baby.

You quit, I quit.

Then who'll protect the black

folks from the white folks?

Who's gonna protect the

black folks from themselves?

I'm sick of this. Gotta be at

death's door. I'm tired of this jazz.

[Chattering]

God damn.

Aah!

When did you turn Japanese?

Come on.

You know the position.

Come on,

spread your legs back.

Finally

got it together.

We plan

to keep it that way.

This ain't no shooting gallery

no more. This is Swahili class.

So why don't you guys

take your business and split?

Lo Boy.

Early Riser's partner.

We want him.

Is he on Swahili, too?

If that's who you want,

why don't you check Reba's?

[Speaking Swahili]

Where'd you learn them

dirty Swahili words?

Ask your mama.

[Chuckles]

How long you gonna

keep this up, copper?

Till it's over, Sister.

It's been 4 hours now, and I'm

just sick of lookin' at you.

You are really

one ugly child.

I mean,

it's really too bad

'cause, um...

If you wasn't,

we could, uh,

spend the time, you know,

uh, doin' the thing.

I'll put a sack

over my head.

All right.

Knock it off, will ya?

[Chuckles]

I just wanted to see

if it was gonna fit.

Buck off.

Drop them scissors.

Well, you gotta

breathe, don't you?

Drop 'em

or I'll break your arm.

You're not a fag,

are you?

Oh, wow. A fag cop.

Ha ha!

It's all poor John

ever spoke of--

that ship and you,

Reverend O'Malley.

And thank you

for the flowers.

It's the least I can do under

the circumstances, Mrs. Hill.

He was my right hand.

And I cannot find the words to

express the infinite sorrow I feel

that this unfortunate accident

has taken your husband.

Thank you, Reverend

O'Malley. You are so kind.

May I be of any assistance

to you, Mrs. Hill?

The funeral?

The arrangements?

I just want you

to preach his funeral.

Of course, Mrs. Hill.

And if you'll

forgive my askin',

do you need money?

Oh, thank you,

Reverend O'Malley,

but he had life insurance

and we saved up.

If you need anything

ever,

you must come to me.

I won't hear of it

otherwise.

All right?

All right, Sir.

You're everything

John said you'd be.

Thank you, Mrs. Hill.

Ha!

Love beads

for the fag cop.

[ Giggling ]

Gonna take a shower with me,

white boy? Hmm?

Ha ha ha!

All I need is

a place of operation,

for the police,

as you know,

are unsympathetic

to our movement.

I don't trust 'em.

Would you help me...

To recover

the stolen funds

and to avenge

John's death?

Would you be

my eyes and ears?

My Mata Hari, so to speak,

on the Lord's side.

Oh, anything.

Oh, anything if you think

I can, Reverend O'Malley.

The main thing is for me

to be free of the police

so that I can conduct

my own investigation.

I've got to find

a place to stay

where nobody

will know where I am.

Reverend O'Malley,

why not stay here?

Oh, bless your soul,

Mrs. Hill.

Hey, copper.

I forgot my towel.

It's, uh, it's right there

on the wall.

You wanna dry

my back off, copper?

Hey, you gotta

give a girl a minute.

[Muzak playing]

They say the badder the

woman, the better the smell.

Come sniff.

[Giggling]

Hey, don't you wanna

take your clothes off?

[Paper crinkles]

Please, baby.

Please?

Hey, you come--

hey, come back here, you!

Hey!

Halt!

Halt in the name of

the law! [Gunshot]

Halt in the name of the law!

[Laughter]

[Man groaning]

Aah!

[Crying]

Come on, Lo Boy. Come on,

Lo Boy. Come on, come on.

Quit it! Now, hold it.

Hold it right there.

What were you doing on the drive

when the meat truck came by?

Don't bother me, man.

I gotta get to the funeral.

What funeral?

You know what that

meat truck done, man?

It hit my buddy

square in the air.

Oh, Early Riser rose,

man, I mean, like a bird.

I ain't never seen a cat

fly that high before.

He went up!

Man, up on your feet!

Now, you tell us!

Now, what happened?

What happened when?

After the meat truck

hit Early Riser.

H-he died.

He died.

15 years,

and then he died.

Man, I gotta find

the funeral!

You son of a bitch.

Ed!

God damn it! You better tell

us what we wanna know, man!

You listen to me

and listen good.

The meat truck hit

Early Riser and crashed.

The armored truck

crashed, too.

Now, god damn it, you

better tell me what happened!

I seen the truck,

and I seen Barry Waterfield

get the hell out of there.

And I seen these white

guys run after him.

White guys?

They had on masks.

How did you know

they were white?

Oh, lordy, help me!

Askin' how you know

they was white.

They run white, damn it.

Honkies in the woodpile.

Something

we hadn't figured on.

The syndicate.

Let's get out of here.

It stinks.

Yeah.

Rattin' on the mob ain't the

worst thing in the world.

Any black man might

rat on whitey.

I might, myself.

Man, like Deke preyin' on his

own black flesh and blood.

How you gonna blame Deke for doin'

what everybody else is doin'?

Beats me how you can find any good

at all in the vicious son of a bitch.

Convicting the man without

a trial, ain't you, God?

Sam, take me to the Apollo.

[Stereo playing jazz]

[Music stops]

God damn it, none of these

things are gonna work!

Easy, baby, easy.

Watch it.

You're gonna wind up

bustin' something

right between your assets

and your liabilities.

Balloons, fans, feathers!

I'm sick of 'em all!

They're out of style and don't

say a damn thing about my people.

Forget 'em, forget 'em.

'Cause what you got goin' for you

-- my, my, my--

ain't never

goin' out of style.

Uncle Tom is what they are.

My dance has got to say

something about my people.

Black people!

We've got to set our

people's minds to thinkin'.

Get our own

black thing together.

Yeah.

Iris.

Billie, you have

to lend me a dress.

A dress? What the

hell you doing here?

Helping Billie with

her new dance routine.

What happened at the rally?

And where's Deke?

I don't know.

Didn't he call you?

What you mean,

you don't know?

Don't lie to me, Barry.

Look, I'm not lying.

I don't know where he is.

Oh, just get the hell on

out of here.

I don't need you to help me

to find Deke. Damn.

You must've left off

in a big hurry.

Yeah. You should've seen

the other guy.

Billie, help me to find

a dress and quick. Quick.

Reverend O'Malley.

Reverend--

oh.

Oh. Oh.

Oh.

I'm sorry. I... put my shirt

in the sink to be washed.

I apologize. I...

Had to use one of

your husband's robes.

Well...

What did you find out?

I went over to the church

like you told me,

and I saw these

two white men.

Yes. I got close

enough to listen,

and I found out that they were offering

a reward to anyone for bale of cotton.

Bale of cotton?

Now, what would a bale of

cotton be doing in Harlem?

Bale of cotton.

A bale of cotton.

Is something wrong,

Reverend?

A bale of cotton.

Well, I'll be damned!

We have got to find out

what's happened, Sister Mabel.

And surely, brother John

would want you to help me.

Oh, John.

John

-- oh, you look so much like him in that robe.

Just to hear his name

like that, oh, I miss him.

Yes, and I miss him, too,

but listen, Sister--

I need my John. I need him,

too, Sister Mabel, but--

who's gonna take care of me

now that John's gone?

Who's gonna love me?

Who's gonna need me?

Who's gonna be good to me now

that John ain't here no more?

Sister Mabel,

I am here,

and I am going

to stay here.

And I'm gonna take care of

you, and I'm gonna love you.

But first, I

-- oh, Reverend O'Malley, you are so wonderful!

Sister Mabel, hey.

Mabel!

Honey.

Iris. Iris!

Get me out of the way and

shackin' up with that skimpy whore!

Mabel: Wait a minute! Just wait a

minute! You've got to understand!

Iris, I called you first!

Look, I had to find

someplace to hide out.

Yeah, between

this bitch's legs!

Will you two quit it?

The Reverend and I, we're trying

to get back our people's money.

You don't call him that

in the bed! Why, you--

quit it! Stop it!

Stop it, I say, damn it!

Break it up!

Let go of me!

She can't call me that!

You fool!

[Knocking on door]

Here you are, kid.

Well, if it isn't

Caspar Brown,

biggest numbers banker

of them all.

Colored version.

Hear tell that You and Ed been

nosin' around my operation.

Come on. Now, you guys too smart to

think that we knocked over Deke O'Malley.

Bullshit.

How the hell

would you ever know

what's happening

in Harlem, Caspar?

'Cause anything

that is happenin'...

I'm the guy that's

makin' it happen.

And don't you forget it.

Stop trying to play

big man, Caspar.

Well, don't think

it ain't been charmin',

but, uh, I promised

these little ladies

I'd take 'em

for a little ride.

Uh, I would look upon it kindly

if you let the little ladies go

and took me up

to Italian Harlem

to your

white mafia boss man.

I said

moo goo gai pan.

You call this

moo goo gai pan?

[Speaking chinese]

Never mind that.

Get it out of here.

And tell Sam to

fix it for me personally.

Thank you, Brother Caspar.

Oh, sit right down

next to the throne of grace.

Hey.

Sure. Ain't you boys

"the man"?

Oh, someday, maybe,

when Caspar gets balls enough

to run you out of Harlem.

But right now

you're the man.

Piano, piano.

How's about a little lump

sum of food all around, hmm?

Little tea?

They think

we hit O'Malley.

Knock off a colored rally

and start a race riot, maybe?

Are you crazy?

You had it in for

O'Malley. Deke?

Nonsense.

I liked the boy.

Always have.

He's a credit

to the community.

He ratted on you.

Where do you think he got that

income tax shit? We fed it to him.

So a couple of the boys

maybe got a little out of line.

Should learn a lesson.

He done us a favor.

If we didn't like him, you

think he'd still be around?

Look, you know what my take

in Harlem is in one day?

You think I would jeopardize

all of that for a lousy $87,000?

All right. $5.00.

What? Cut it down! I'll take

my bale to old man Cohen.

Wait a minute. What

do you want from me?

What can I do with this

piece of junk, make bandages?

$10, and that's

the last price.

What the hell are you

tryin' to do? Listen.

50.

My name is honest Abe Goodman,

not honest Abe Lincoln.

$15, and that's

my very last price.

This is genuine

Mississippi cotton.

Smell of it.

Smell, schmell.

Cotton is cotton.

Not this cotton! I've picked

cotton all over the south,

and that's the finest.

40.

20. Not a dime more.

30, not a cent less.

25?

Sold!

Yes, Sir.

You're the old geezer goes

around pickin' up junk, right?

Yes, Sir.

Well, I'm in the market

for a bale of cotton.

Understand?

A bale of cotton?

That's right.

And I hear tell that

maybe you could, uh--

you got me wrong, Mister.

And anyway, what would a bale

of cotton be doing in Harlem?

Hey! Hey!

Open up!

Hey!

Open up,

you old bastard!

Look, white man, ain't you a

long way from where you live?

Was that

black enough for you?

It ain't, but it's gonna be.

Ha ha ha!

[Men chattering]

Is it black enough

for you?

Hey, Deke! Hey!

Yeah, all right!

My man!

Hey.

Good times

are here now.

How was

the Congo, baby?

Fine, beautiful, beautiful.

Man, I never been so

scared in all my life.

Me, too, man.

Cops been leaning

on you boys a bit?

Hell no. It was you

we was worrying about.

Man, I thought

you was dead.

Are you dumb? This

man got brains, baby.

I had to lay low

for a while.

But I was thinking about

you boys all the time.

And now Deke O'Malley's

back in town.

And you better believe it.

And that means we gonna

take care of business.

Right, Reverend?

'Cause I found it.

I finally found

that bale of cotton.

Brother Barry,

you are beautiful.

Where is

that bale of cotton?

Goodman's junkyard.

Goodman's junkyard?

Now, is that

kosher enough for you?

Ha ha ha!

Deke O'Malley

and all the little foxes

present

and accounted for.

Hold on there.

What's your rush?

Don't you remember

what your mama says?

I don't play that.

First, brer fox

gobbles brer rabbit...

And then the wolf

gobbles brer fox.

Your move, mother goose.

Okay. Stay put until you see

the white of the rabbit's ass.

Come on.

Let's move. Move out.

White shit

about to hit black fan.

[Boom]

Aah!

Hello, Reverend.

Now back up.

Nice and easy.

Turn around!

Hold it right there.

[Gunshot]

The white fox?

He left tracks

across my behind.

The black fox?

Likewise.

Body count is 6,

Lieutenant.

Yeah.

To steal junk,

I can understand.

A man is desperate,

he needs the money.

But to kill for junk?

I don't get it.

Don't be a boy scout,

Goodman.

A lot of people get killed

every day up here for nothing.

What could be here that anyone

could possibly want that badly?

$87,000.

What?

$87,000.

Seen any cotton

around here lately?

A bale of cotton, sure.

Uncle Budd brought over

a bale of cotton.

I bought it from him

for $25.

Where is it now?

What?

What happened to it?

He came back later,

he bought it back

from me for $30.

He hauled it away.

Wait a minute.

He brought it in and then

he brung it out again?

It don't add up,

Goodman.

That's what happened.

Hauled it away where?

He didn't say.

Put out a reader

on Uncle Budd.

Come on, Digger.

To kill for junk.

Well! Did you find it?

What do we got here,

an outraged citizen?

Oh, Reverend

O'Malley.

Did you find the man who

stole my people's money?

What were you doing at the junkyard

this hour of the night, Reverend?

Holding a revival meeting?

He was white,

whoever he was.

You know the man?

What do you mean,

do I know him?

What I mean, Sir, is did you

ever meet the man before?

Oh, sure. Same one

who hijacked the rally.

Funny. All the guys

at the rally had on masks.

And, of course, you could

see right through the masks.

Unless, of course, you knew

that they were white in advance.

Have a cigarette.

Where'd you get that?

Mabel Hill's apartment,

right where you left it.

That's police brutality.

No, brother.

That's

cancer prevention.

Reverend O'Malley, there are

6 dead bodies in the morgue.

All we're asking you to do is

-- now, look!

How many times do I

have to tell you idiots?

We're only asking you to tell

us what you know. Now, look!

Easy, Digger, easy.

Look, I am due in my pulpit

at 11:00 this morning,

and if I ain't there--

if my people were

to find out

that you had me locked

up in this filthy,

pissy pigsty, there'll

be all hell to pay!

What's that

supposed to mean?

Draw your own

conclusions.

And you can tell Bryce, the

Commissioner, and the Mayor!

Reverend O'Malley--

take me back

to my cell...Honky!

O'Malley!

You forgot your lighter.

Something else you forgot.

Iris, baby,

who hit you?

You, You son of a bitch!

But I got your black

ass now! Cool it!

Don't tell me to cool it!

You left me for the cops.

Nigger, I oughta kill you!

You already did, baby.

You have nailed his ass

onto the wall,

right here

in black and white.

That's right.

I told them everything.

I spilled my guts out.

All about your phony

"Back to Africa" swindle.

Names, dates, places.

The way you were gonna

hit all the big cities

and get the money and split.

Iris

-- how you set up the switch at the rally,

with the cat supposed to be

from the D.A.'S office.

The way they were gonna pretend

to take you and the money downtown.

But something happened,

and John Hill got wasted.

And Mabel Hill found out and

was going straight to the cops.

And you found her and tried

to kill her. That's a lie.

I was there!

I saw you, you bastard!

You took that ship, that big,

old black ship Black Beauty,

and you smashed it down

on that poor girl's head.

I never touched that boat!

Fractured skull.

Prognosis: Negative.

Assault with

intent to kill.

If she dies, it's murder one.

Which means

we burn you.

Burn me?

Burn me with what?

Lieutenant!

I hope that some

of you damn fools

had the good sense to examine

that model boat for fingerprints.

Of course we did, Reverend.

Tell these two dumb-ass Uncle

Tom nigger cops of yours

whose prints you found on that boat

-- that broad's or mine?

He did it! He took those

people's money. He did it!

You shut your mouth!

I'll get you, O'Malley!

I swear on my mother's grave

I'll get you for this!

I swear I will!

I'll get you!

[Door slams]

One more word,

soul brother.

You had it made.

Black folks would have

followed you anywhere.

You could have been

another Marcus garvey

or even another

Malcolm X.

But instead,

you ain't nothin'

but a pimp with

a chickenshit backbone.

Break his goddamn head.

No.

Keep him on ice

for 24 hours.

Then he'll bust his own head.

24 hours?

Bryce'll never

stand for it.

The hell with Bryce!

O'Malley'll break.

Not only for us.

Everybody in Harlem

will know the son of a bitch

for the evil bastard

that he is.

You hold him

one more day.

Don't you guys ever

listen to the buzzer?

What's up?

The word just came

over the squawk box.

They just found Uncle Budd.

Did they find

a bale of cotton?

Don't ask me.

Ask the squawk box.

Anderson:

Poor Uncle Budd.

What do you suppose

they did to him?

My guess'd be the river.

Oh, my god.

We're dragging

the river, Luddy.

You set it up.

Yes, Sir.

White fox tasted black blood.

Maybe yes,

and maybe no.

Where the hell's

that rabbit?

All right, stop it.

A vicious son of a bitch

murders Uncle Budd,

and you two

talk nonsense.

You gotta look on the bright

side, Lieutenant.

You saw that white

joker last night.

You identify him?

I don't know,

Lieutenant.

Maybe yes, maybe no.

All those kind of people

look alike to me.

Cut the crap.

That's an order.

Drop whatever the hell

else you're doing,

and you find him!

And that's final.

♪ We're going home ♪

♪ we're going to see the sun ♪

♪ Going home ♪

♪ a new life has begun ♪

♪ We're going home ♪

♪ oh, yes ♪

♪ Where we can all be free ♪

♪ in the land

where there's sand ♪

♪ and I got Liberty ♪

♪ So steal away ♪

♪ My Lord, steal away ♪

[Chickens clucking]

♪ Take me ♪

♪ and I will tell you ♪

♪ We're going home ♪

Oh, going home!

♪ Hey, children,

going home ♪

Wait here.

♪ We're going home ♪

♪ where this world

was born ♪

♪ and where life with the

strife won't be tight ♪

♪ We're going home ♪

Captain, O'Malley's

people are coming.

O'Malley's people?

♪ Just like the good book said ♪

♪ We're going home ♪

Brothers and Sisters,

we have marched all the way

from O'Malley's Tabernacle

this afternoon,

not merely for the purpose

of gift-bringing,

but to offer prayers

for his release.

Amen.

What do you think?

How many men we got?

It's Sunday.

Half the men are off.

All right. You better

send out a recall.

Station house alert.

We'll try to hold this

right where it is,

but if anything happens,

if it gets out of control,

go to signal 1039.

Ok.

Free Deke O'Malley!

People,

just settle down.

Hey, what the hell

is going on here?

Riot.

Free Deke O'Malley!

I figure about a 4-block

area, Commissioner.

What are you

standing there for?!

Get out and get

those riot guns!

I don't give a damn!

Find Ed and Digger

if it takes

all afternoon!

Hold 'em right

where they are--

[glass shatters]

[Shouting]

Now that I have

your attention,

let's bow our heads.

Free Deke O'Malley!

Man: Who the hell

asked you to come here?

[Angry shouting]

He will be free,

but not this way.

Jarema, they're gonna

try to take O'Malley.

Don't you worry, Reverend.

I know how to use this thing,

and I'll protect you

with the last breath

in my body.

Oh, I know you will,

officer.

I know you will.

[Angry shouting]

Get out of here!

Hold it there.

Now cool it!

Hold it!

Quiet down!

[Firecrackers exploding]

All right,

get inside.

What in

the goddamn hell?

Let 'em inside,

Officers.

All right, take those

guns out of here.

We'll take it from here.

[Shouting angrily]

Hold it!

Hold it

right there!

Hey, we know

what you cops do

in the precinct basement.

How do we know

Deke O'Malley ain't dead?

'Cause I say he ain't!

And I'm the Doctor.

You filthy pigs!

Free Deke O'Malley!

Shut up, white boy!

I'm talking

about my money!

Me and my family

put up $1,000, and we ain't

heard from it since.

If you police don't

do something, we will.

Tear the damn precinct down!

Burn the mother

to the ground!

[Crowd cheers]

Give us our money!

I want my money now!

I want my money, man.

Shut up!

[Crowd quiets]

Digger and I

will do our damnedest

to get the money back.

We promise.

Hell with promises!

Anybody out there

ever heard Coffin Ed

or the Grave Digger

make a promise

we didn't keep?

We may have

broken some heads,

but we never broke

no promises.

[Confused shouting]

Now go on home!

Fascist pigs!

Free Deke O'Malley!

Commie pigs!

Fascist commies!

[Gunshot]

Where the hell

you going?

Well, ain't this

the Going-Back-to-Africa rally?

No, Brother. It is

the Going-Home-Rally.

Now move it.

Sergeant,

my name is Callahan.

I'm the attorney

for Reverend O'Malley.

I have a writ

for his release,

signed by Judge

Glossner.

This'll take

a few minutes.

Ok. I'll go down

and tell him.

I thank all of you.

I'm obliged to you

for coming down here

and bringing this great food

for me and my fellow prisoners.

Amen.

Inasmuch as you've done unto

one of these, my little ones,

you've done unto me.

Amen.

Minister: Just the way

you wanted it.

O'Malley: Praise the Lord,

Brother, amen.

What about your tray,

Sister Minnie?

It's all yours,

Reverend.

I thank you, Sister,

but I'd be much obliged

if you'd take that tray over

to Sister Iris over there.

Well, if you say so,

Reverend.

I do say so, Sister.

And, Sister Minnie,

the Lord loveth

a cheerful giver.

Amen.

A jealous hysterical woman...

Will do anything, including

lie, to hurt O'Malley.

Is that the case?

No. There's a bale

of cotton,

the white man

that Digger spotted,

the shoot-out,

and the vicious murder

of Booker

Washington Simms.

Who?

Uncle Budd, the old

junk dealer.

We're still dragging

the river for his body.

And all Ed and Digger

want to do

is hold O'Malley

for one more day.

What?

They think

that they can--

don't tell me what they think.

Tell me what you think.

Or don't you

do that anymore?

We could hold him

on a technicality

for 24 hours,

it being Sunday.

Jones!

Johnson!

Did I or Lieutenant Anderson

or anybody else

authorize you

to offer those people money

out there this afternoon?

No, Sir.

Good. Then you recognize

that the precinct

is in no way responsible

for your foolish statements

or anything else.

It was getting a little

hairy out there.

It was a flagrant breach

of police procedure.

I won't have it.

That all, Sir?

That is not all!

In spite of the fact

that we came within one inch

of a riot out there

this afternoon

and we have no proof whatsoever

against Reverend O'Malley,

Anderson tells me you want me

to hold him another day.

That's right, Sir.

You're out of your minds,

both of you.

Do you have to play

with that thing?

I'm insecure, Captain.

But the question

still is,

can we hold him

another day?

I'm not finished.

You've allowed

your personal prejudice

to get in the way

of your judgment.

You've bungled

this whole thing

from beginning to end.

And you and your partner

have turned this entire

investigation

into a personal vendetta

against Reverend O'Malley.

Vendetta?

Vendetta!

O'Malley's a rotten,

thieving, lying--

It doesn't matter

what he is.

It's no concern

of yours anymore.

I'm taking you off the case.

Thank you, Sir.

What?

You want us off the case?

You got us off.

What was that all about?

I don't know.

But now I'm really worried.

Woman: Where is Deke?

Second woman:

There he is.

No pictures, no pictures.

Reverend O'Malley.

Yes, Sir.

Could we have one word

with you in private?

One word in private.

We understand you're

looking for a white man

and a bale of cotton.

We got 'em both.

Uh, Callahan,

will you excuse me?

Sister Minnie.

I'll see you later.

Well, there goes that

$87,000 promise you made.

We made, old buddy.

We made.

Yeah, we made.

The next time you're

making out an I.O.U.,

include me out, huh?

What we need is some

new bait for that trap.

A whole new kind of fox.

Look, man,

I'm not in any mood

for another one of your

goddamn colored fairy tales.

A stone fox.

Somebody

who wants O'Malley

worse than we do.

Hey, lady.

Where's my pastor?!

Now, hold on, now.

What did you--what did you

do with my pastor?

Wait a minute. Hold it.

Just a minute, now.

How the hell did you

get in here?

She's with the delegation.

Don't you remember?

If y'all don't give me

back my pastor,

I'm gonna punch you in

the stomach with this umbrella.

Now, watch it, Lady.

O'Malley ain't here.

He's been released.

Give me back my pastor.

O'Malley ain't here,

I tell you,

and if you don't get

the hell out of here

with all that noise,

I'm gonna jail you.

And stay out.

What's the matter

with that old bag?

My people.

Iris!

Don't "Iris" me, you

honey-dripping bastard!

Let go of me!

Take your hands off her.

Cool it, baby.

Get your hands

off of me.

Tie her up.

Nobody two-times Iris

and gets away with it.

Tie her up,

for god's sake.

Looks like I'm not

the only one

our preacher friend's

crossed.

What the--

what'd he do to you?

None of your

goddamn business.

Cut me loose, Calhoun.

Hand over the money,

I'll cut you loose.

How many times do I have

to tell you, you idiot?

I don't know

where it's at.

Mm-hmm.

What about Iris?

She don't know,

either.

Look, man,

quit playing games.

Hmm?

Cut me loose.

Partner!

Cal, I set the whole

thing up for you.

You were nothing

but a dumb convict

in row "c"

till I put you wise.

Yeah, you set it up

for me, bastard!

You set it up for me

to be the patsy

and you to take

the money and run!

I wouldn't cross you.

Cal, we're partners.

What about that little

old switch with the D.A.'s men?

That was just in case

you didn't arrive

with the meat wagon

in time.

And how about that little

old shoot-out in the junkyard?

I thought you guys

were cops.

I swear it.

Cal, cut me loose,

and we'll go

and find the money

and split it!

Con man

to the bitter end.

I ought to shoot you

right between your black eyes

for what you done to me,

but I'm gonna be

big about it.

Yeah. I'm gonna let you

buy your life back,

and all it's

gonna cost you

is all that 87 grand

stashed in that bale

of cotton.

Cotton?

Is that

what this is all about?

Yeah.

You know something?

Yeah, I know

where it's at.

All right...

Talk.

What's in it

for me?

Iris.

You shut up.

You talk,

or I'll blow

your brains out.

Hmmph. Yeah, that'll

get you exactly nowhere.

What you ought to do

is, uh...

Blow that mother's

brains out.

What?

Blow that two-timing

mother's brains out.

Then I'll show you

where the bale of cotton is.

You do it.

You untie me, and I will.

Untie her.

[Door closes]

Who followed you

here?

How in the hell

I know?

Iris, sweetheart,

baby, you found it.

You found that

bale of cotton.

Here, come on.

Untie these ropes, honey.

Come on, Iris.

Yeah, that's right.

Come on, honey.

Cut these ropes,

and let's get out--

uhh!

Ha ha! Ha, Iris!

Iris!

Ok, baby.

No, Iris,

I don't blame you.

Go ahead.

Do your thing.

But before

you kill me,

would you

do me a favor?

Don't beg me, Deke.

I ain't beggin'.

But would you mind

reaching your hand down

into my pocket

and taking out that

little old package?

Go ahead, Iris.

That's it, baby.

Go ahead.

Bat?

Billie Boy?

Halt!

God damn it!

Another fine mess

you got us into.

I got us into?

Shut up and shoot.

Hit it again.

Where are they, Iris?

Iris!

Now, where are they?

I'm talkin' to you!

Now, where are they?

All right, Iris.

Where's the door?

Hey, baby,

let's move it.

I'm gonna get out

an apb.

I'm gonna find those two

if it takes every cop

in this precinct.

Let me try, Sir.

I--I know them.

Their hangouts and all.

Uh, besides,

it was me they tricked.

Well, then,

you get them

and don't come

back here till you do.

Yes, Sir, Captain Bryce.

Yes, Sir.

Bryce on radio:

Attention, all cars.

Attention,

all cars.

Jones and Johnson have set fire

to house of God.

Proceeding west

on 125th street.

Apprehend at all costs.

[Siren]

[Music playing]

♪ Down south ♪

♪ we sweat and strained ♪

♪ We were the prisoners

of Cotton ♪

♪ prisoners of Cotton ♪

♪ But when Cotton

come to Harlem ♪

♪ Here comes Cotton ♪

♪ We kicked Cotton's ass ♪

♪ whoa, down south ♪

♪ Cotton was king ♪

♪ A black man's life

meant not a damn thing ♪

♪ a black man

not a damn thing ♪

♪ So when Cotton

come to Harlem ♪

♪ Here comes Cotton ♪

♪ Oh, I kicked

Cotton's ass ♪

♪ We kicked Cotton's ass ♪

♪ Oh, what is Cotton

doing here? ♪

♪ Whoa, we gonna make him

disappear ♪

♪ Know that we don't

need him to remind us ♪

♪ the bad old days

are far behind us ♪

♪ South ♪

♪ That's where

it all began ♪

♪ It looked like Cotton

was the man ♪

♪ Cotton was the man ♪

♪ Whoa, if Cotton

come to Harlem ♪

♪ here comes Cotton ♪

♪ Think I'll boot

Cotton's butt ♪

♪ We'll boot

Cotton's butt ♪

♪ I'll boot his butt ♪

Whoo!

Ha.

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ This is black country ♪

♪ It's Cotton,

It's Cotton ♪

♪ No, it's our territory ♪

♪ It's Cotton,

It's Cotton ♪

♪ There'll be no more

new Mama ♪

♪ or Uncle Tom ♪

♪ Hey, Little Bo-Weeble ♪

♪ best be gone ♪

♪ Down south ♪

♪ Cotton was boss ♪

♪ A human life

was no great loss ♪

♪ life was

no great loss ♪

♪ Whoa, if Cotton

come to Harlem ♪

♪ here comes Cotton ♪

♪ Think I'll kick

Cotton's ass ♪

♪ kick Cotton's ass ♪

♪ kick his ass ♪

Take it off!

Hi, Cal!

[Music stops playing]

What's going on?

Reverend O'Malley.

Oh!

He's white.

Ha ha ha.

He's a white man.

[Chuckles]

I just can't

believe it.

He's white!

The same white man

who stole $87,000

of our people's

money!

[Murmuring]

Do you want him?!

[Shouting]

Get that honky!

Get that pig!

Kill the honky!

[Shotgun blast]

Throw him back!

He's mine!

Aw!

Oh!

All right,

assume the position.

You know it.

Spread 'em wide.

Here!

Ok, brother,

get that bale of cotton

down to the prop room

and clean up the stage.

Turn around and face

your audience,

Mr. bones.

Stick out your hands,

please, Mr. bones.

Fly this mother

to the moon!

[Cheering]

Now let's get on

with the show.

♪ Down in my soul ♪

♪ down in my soul ♪

♪ A girl

who's always rockin' ♪

♪ down in my soul ♪

♪ That old black road

squawkin' ♪

♪ oh, yeah ♪

♪ down in my soul, yeah ♪

♪ down in my soul ♪

♪ A fella

can't stop rollin' ♪

♪ down in my soul ♪

♪ Drivin'

what's been stolen ♪

♪ down in

the marshland ♪

♪ You can find

my soul there... ♪

♪ Down in my soul ♪

[Rustling]

♪ A girl

who's always rockin' ♪

♪ oh, yeah ♪

♪ down in my soul ♪

♪ A fella

that can't stop rollin' ♪

♪ down in

the marshland ♪

♪ you can find

my soul there... ♪

Aah!

Hold it, man.

Hold it

right there.

This ain't gonna

get us nowhere.

Man...

There's $87,000

in that bale.

50-50.

Right down the middle.

You steal money

from white folks,

that's your business.

But when you steal

from blacks,

that's my business.

You sound

just like my father.

Part preacher...

Part undertaker...

And part God.

Why don't you

take it easy, man?

Cool it. What's

the matter with you?

Black people been exploited

by white people.

Filth like you come along

skin 'em some more.

Judgment, Deke.

Judgment.

All right, man,

all right.

You, you keep

the whole thing.

I'll walk out of here,

and I promise you,

I'll never show my face

in Harlem again

as long as I live.

Well?

That's what you want,

ain't it?

No.

I want you.

Ed! Ed, listen!

For god's sake,

give me a chance!

I could be another--

another garvey, man!

Another Malcolm!

Aah!

God damn you!

I'll kill you!

Don't touch me!

No, no! No!

No!

O'Malley: Shoot him, Iris!

Iris: Aah!

Jarema,

she's your prisoner.

Now, look, you might even

make first-grade detective.

The money,

it's in the bale.

Yes, Sir.

♪ Oh, that salvation ♪

♪ no more of my sinful care

s oppressed ♪

♪ But in thy presence ♪

♪ ever blessed ♪

♪ oh, God

of my salvation ♪

♪ doo doo doo ♪

♪ Whoa, God

of my salvation ♪

♪ God of

my salvation ♪

♪ God of

my salvation ♪

♪ Talkin' 'bout

my salvation ♪

♪ God of my salvation ♪

♪ Talkin' 'bout

your salvation ♪

♪ Everybody's

salvation ♪

♪ God of

our salvation ♪

♪ salvation ♪

♪ God of

our salvation ♪

♪ salvation ♪

♪ God of

our salvation ♪

♪ God of our salvation ♪

♪ salvation ♪

♪ God of our salvation ♪

♪ salvation ♪

♪ God of our salvation ♪

Brothers

and Sisters,

I want to talk to you

for a minute.

♪ Salvation ♪

Here, give me that mike.

Brothers and Sisters,

I just want to

talk to you...

For a minute!

He'll hang himself.

Hear. Hear, hear.

Brothers and Sisters,

I want to talk to you.

I want--I want--

god damn it!

Hey, wait a minute!

That's our preacher?

Brothers, Sisters,

these two here

want to beat me to death,

want to beat me,

Deke O'Malley.

You blew it,

Deke!

Get out of here!

No, no. Listen.

Listen, now.

I--listen, now. Ha.

I got--I got...

Listen to me!

I got something

to tell you!

Listen. No, no, no.

No, no. No!

No, don't--

don't turn your backs.

Don't. Listen to me.

Don't turn

your backs on me.

No. No, listen to me.

Listen to me.

Listen!

I can be like Malcolm!

Believe me!

Don't turn

your backs on me!

Don't turn your backs--

[clang]

Jarema, what the hell

is going on here?

Oh!

It's empty, Luddy.

What's empty?

Damn cotton bale

is empty.

Ha!

Where are they?

Where the hell are those

2 cops who was here?

What, you mean

Coffin Ed and Grave Digger?

Yeah.

Oh, man.

They've been gone.

[Laughing]

$87,000.

What the hell for?

Your whole operation

is sittin'

on a black volcano, man.

Right, Caspar?

Uh, I'm afraid

he's right, Tom.

You see, Tom, things

have changed up here.

Black people

are thinking about

taking over

white businesses.

Right, Caspar?

Right. I was just

reading an article

on black capitalism.

That's right.

And there ain't

no capitalism

bigger than yours

in Harlem.

Right, Caspar?

Right.

Now, the way I see things

is, uh, is organization.

Uh, and not only new blood,

but black blood,

improvin' the operation

around here.

Uh, seems to me that

there's a whole lot of money

uh, in just being black

these days.

So there's got

to be some way.

Hmm?

Sit down.

How much is it gonna cost me

to stop this kind of talk?

$87,000.

[Laughs]

Well,

that bale was empty.

That money must have

been planted in there.

Planted?

By who, you idiot?

Jones and Johnson?

Well, I still say the--

the bale was empty.

Well, it sure

ain't empty now.

Lieutenant, I think

you better count it.

Don't you?

Mm-hmm.

Oh,

I bet it's all here.

Well, perhaps

sergeant Jarema

ought to

count it himself.

You tricked me.

I don't know how you two

black bastards did it,

but you tricked me.

Jarema,

I want you to apologize

to these two officers

for that racial slur,

or I'll have your badge.

Aw, I apologize,

but...

But...

You'll, uh, have to

overlook Jarema.

He's...Had a bad day.

Haven't we all?

May we go, Captain?

May you--

of course.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Sir.

Ed, Digger.

Tell me something,

will ya?

What's a bale of cotton

doing in Harlem?

"Dear Grave Digger Jones

and Coffin Ed Johnson..."

Uncle Budd: If you're

still dragging the river

looking for the body

of old Uncle Budd

and the 87,000,

stop.

I am now

a retired gentleman

raising cotton on my villa

in Africa.

If you are ever

in this neck of the woods,

please drop in and see me.

"Yours truly,

Booker Washington Simms."

Ha ha ha!

Better known

as old Uncle Budd.

Ha ha ha ha!

Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) - full transcript

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