The Cool World (1963)
No relation to the later Ralph Bakshi semi-animated feature of the same name, Cool World is set in the meanest sections of Harlem. Hampton Clayton plays Duke, a powerful street gang member who claims that he is motivated by the Black Muslim movement. His subsequent criminal activities are thus not merely for gain, but as a means to declare black supremacy over the white establishment. One of director Shirley Clarke's few mainstream projects, Cool World was the first commercial film venture to be shot on location in Harlem. The largely unknown cast features future luminaries (and husband and wife) Clarence Williams III and Gloria Foster. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Hampton Clanton, Yolanda Rodriguez, (more)
- Director(s):
- Shirley Clarke
Synopsis of The Cool World
No relation to the later Ralph Bakshi semi-animated feature of the same name, Cool World is set in the meanest sections of Harlem. Hampton Clayton plays Duke, a powerful street gang member who claims that he is motivated by the Black Muslim movement. His subsequent criminal activities are thus not merely for gain, but as a means to declare black supremacy over the white establishment. One of director Shirley Clarke's few mainstream projects, Cool World was the first commercial film venture to be shot on location in Harlem. The largely unknown cast features future luminaries (and husband and wife) Clarence Williams III and Gloria Foster. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Complete Cast of The Cool World
- Hampton Clanton - Duke
- Carl Lee - Priest
- Clarence Williams III - Blood
- George Burke - Grandma
- Jay Brooks - Littleman's Father
- Milton Williams
- Richard Ward - Street Speaker
- Jerome Raphel - Mr. Shapiro
- Billie Taylor - Mission
- Peter de Anda
- Yolanda Rodriguez - Luanee
- Gary Bolling - Littleman
- Gloria Foster - Mrs. Custis
- Val Bisoglio
- John Marriott - Hurst
- Ted Butler - Mr. Osborne
- Charles Richardson - Beep Bop
- Ken Sutherland - Big Jeff
- Maurice Sneed - Rocky
- Bruce Edwards - Warrior
- Director(s):
- Shirley Clarke
- Writer(s):
- Carl Lee, Shirley Clarke
- Producer(s):
- Frederick Wiseman
- 1993 - Library of Congress - U.S. National Film Registry
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