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MONEY
Did you know
Earned back only 78% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
Hoodlum
"Power is measured in enemies."
1997 2h 10m EN
😐
6.5
MID
★6.5TMDB · 265
CrimeDrama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
In 1934, the second most lucrative business in New York City was running 'the numbers'. When Madam Queen—the powerful woman who runs the scam in Harlem—is arrested, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson takes over the business and must resist an invasion from a merciless mobster.
“Power is measured in enemies.”
Where to watch · US
Cast
Laurence Fishburne
Bumpy Johnson
Tim Roth
Dutch Schultz
Vanessa Williams
Francine Hughes
Andy Garcia
Lucky Luciano
Cicely Tyson
Stephanie St. Clair
Chi McBride
Illinois Gordon
Clarence Williams III
Bub Hewlett
Richard Bradford
Captain Foley
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Bill Duke
- Writers
- Chris Brancato
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
29 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Bill Duke, shot by Frank Tidy. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Elmer Bernstein. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
ERA
Did you know
Editor Harry Keramidas shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Laurence Fishburne and Tim Roth and Vanessa Williams carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "Power is measured in enemies.".
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt0119311 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Bill Duke directs. Frank Tidy behind the camera. Elmer Bernstein scores. Harry Keramidas cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Earned back only 78% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
- 229 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
- 3Directed by Bill Duke, shot by Frank Tidy. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 4Original score by Elmer Bernstein. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 5Editor Harry Keramidas shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 6Laurence Fishburne and Tim Roth and Vanessa Williams carry the top of the cast.
- 7Marketing tagline: "Power is measured in enemies.".
- 8IMDB entry: tt0119311 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Frank Tidy
- Original score
- Elmer Bernstein
- Editing
- Harry Keramidas
- Production design
- Charles C. Bennett
- Makeup / hair
- Klexius Kolby
- Runtime
- 130 min · 2h 10m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $30,000,000
- Box office
- $23,461,013
- Return
- 78% of budget
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- R
- IMDB
- Hoodlum (1997)
Also by
Bill Duke
Stills · wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
United Artists
US
- FR
Frank Mancuso Jr. Productions
US
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
US
Key crew
- Makeup ArtistKlexius Kolby
- ProducerFrank Mancuso Jr.
- Executive ProducerLaurence Fishburne
- Production DesignerCharles C. Bennett
- Co-ProducerChris Brancato
- CastingAmanda Mackey
- Co-ProducerPaul Eckstein
- Executive ProducerBill Duke
- Second Assistant CameraRichard Sobin
- Still PhotographerMichael P. Weinstein
- AccountantLysa Moser
- Second Assistant DirectorAnthony Mason
- Steadicam OperatorGreg Bubb
- LoaderJohn Pingry
- Unit Production ManagerFrank Bodo
- First Assistant DirectorTyrone L. Mason
- Lighting TechnicianAnthony J. Lullo
- Production CoordinatorDeb K. Oyer
- Line ProducerVikki Williams
- Key Makeup ArtistStacye P. Branche
- CastingCathy Sandrich Gelfond
- Executive ProducerHelen Sugland
- Chief Lighting TechnicianGene Crededio
- Costume DesignerRichard Bruno
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- gangster
- mobster
- 1930s
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical1997-08-27R
Also known as
International titles
- GangsterUS
- HoodsUS
- Harlem N.Y.C. - Der Preis der MachtDE
