A numbers king pin tries to stay in business as the mafia and police close in around him.A numbers king pin tries to stay in business as the mafia and police close in around him.A numbers king pin tries to stay in business as the mafia and police close in around him.
- Big Tony
- (as Frank deKova)
- Mama Lottie
- (as Frances Williams)
- Serene
- (as Tawny Tan)
- DuDirty
- (as Ernie Banks)
- Sam Kingston
- (as Henry Sanders)
- Raphael
- (as James Jackson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilm debut of Minnie Summers Lindsey.
- GoofsEarly in the film, when white politicians and police are discussing Pasha's numbers racket, a microphone dips into the top of the shot.
- Quotes
Big Tony: What are we going to do to settle this mess, anyway? The Chicago bosses are tired of waiting. I'm tired, you're tired. What's the solution?
Pasha: I thought perhaps you might have some ideas. You Italians were always better at that kind of thinking than us poor colored folks.
Big Tony: [chuckling] you're too much. You know, if you knew what I was thinking right now... I've hated you for a long, long time, Hakim and right now at this moment I've got you right here in my hand. I could kill you, you know that. I still got your gun, Hakim.
Pasha: Yeah, the one you got from me in your restaurant
Big Tony: You've always been a man of honor, Hakim... something I never could stand in a nigger. Now I want to see that honor put you right in your grave. Are you willing to pay the price to see me and mine?
Pasha: Lay it on me.
Big Tony: There's a game, it's not Italian, it's Russian. It's a kind of roulette, a special roulette but you play it with life. You see, you drop a bullet in the barrel, like that, then you revolve it. You put it to your head... and press. You do it, Hakim. You do it. Just in case you think I tricked you, you take the first turn. Put the gun to your head and pull the trigger, if you can. You remember when we were kids, it was always you that wasn't afraid and I always panicked. God Almighty, how you used to torture me. Do it, damn it! Do it!
Pasha: You're a creep, Tony. You never have known how to play fair. What difference does it make? The littlest noise and your gimp-leg goon'll be in here with a hand grenade or somethin'.
Big Tony: No, no. This place is completely soundproof. Nobody'll come unless I call them and I won't. I swear. I'm going straight down to the wire. Luck is with me tonight, you ugly son of a bitch. It's got to be. It ain't worth it unless I can whip you just once. But you're afraid to give me the satisfaction, aren't you? You're afraid to put that gun up to your head.
[Pasha raises the gun]
- Crazy creditsWhen the movie finishes, the words 'THE DEAD END' flash on the screen before the credits roll
- ConnectionsFeatured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-in Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 4 (1997)
The problem seems to be that they had almost no money to make this movie. its suppose to be set in 1956 but people wear clothes from the 1970's and the streets are filled with cars made well after 56. I'm guessing that they couldn't afford any money for blanks, or if they did they didn't have very many. What violence there is tends to be fist fights or beatings, which can be very bloody. Its disappointing especially after the opening scene. I had the sense while watching it that this was suppose to be a larger, more detailed story (there are details hanging off the screen that seem to connect to a longer story) and it wasn't filmed because of money or the film was unfinished.
Its a messy movie but I liked it. The writing is at times sharp and witty, even if the cast isn't up to it. There are numerous lines of dialog that deserve to be quoted. You have a bunch of interesting characters that seem very real. I also liked that the plot never went where you expected it to go, even though it became clear early this was headed for left field by a completely new route. Its best described as a low budget attempt at something other than your typical crime drama (black or white). No it won't win any awards but if you're an adventurous film goer it deserves to be seen, if for no other reason than to imagine it remade by Mario Van Peebles, Quentin Tarantino or the Hughes Brothers. You probably won't rave, but it will stick in your head.
- dbborroughs
- Jun 23, 2006
- Permalink
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1