KEEP IT OLDSKOOL MOVIE OF THE WEEK

 

Across 110^th Street was released 1972. The movie that was directed by Barry Shear was released early in the Blaxploitation era. The movie starred Anthony Quinn (who also produced the movie and Yaphet Kotto. The movie also included a great Bobby Womack song from the soundtrack which was titled Across 110^TH Street

 

 

The movie’s title reflects the unofficial boundary line of Uptown aka Harlem in New York City. At the time the numbers racket was controlled by the Italian Mafia with their dirty work being farmed out to the African American gangsters in Harlem. Three down on they luck men decide to rob the “count house” for the money and in the process kill 7 which includes 2 police officers and get away with $300,00. In the hunt that ensues shady, racist cop Captain Mattelli (Quinn) has been told that he will be second in command to African American Lt Pope (Kotto). Also in pursuit is Mob capo Nicky D’Salvio. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that the cards are stacked against the 3 robbers all whom meet their reckoning.

 

 

 

 

 

Also a character in the movie is the neighborhoods that the movie is filmed in. They show the despair and deplorable conditions that can create 3 men all who know that they there are on a suicide mission but feel anything is better than how they are currently living. This movie differed from many of the Blaxploitation genre there is no “brother sticking it to whitey” ending. However Across 110^th Street is still a very good movie.

 

KEEP IT OLDSKOOL