I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
| I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | |
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 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Keenen Ivory Wayans |
| Produced by | Eric L. Gold Raymond Katz |
| Written by | Keenen Ivory Wayans |
| Starring | Keenen Ivory Wayans Bernie Casey Isaac Hayes Steve James Antonio Fargas Jim Brown John Vernon Ja'net Dubois |
| Music by | David Michael Frank |
| Cinematography | Tom Richmond |
| Editing by | Michael R. Miller |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | December 14, 1988 |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million |
| Box office | $13,030,057 |
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) is a parody of blaxploitation movies written, directed and starring Keenen Ivory Wayans. Featured in the film are several noteworthy Black actors who were part of the genre of blaxploitation: Jim Brown, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas, and Isaac Hayes. Other actors in the film are Kadeem Hardison, Ja'net Dubois, John Witherspoon, Damon Wayans, Clarence Williams III, and Chris Rock.
The film's main villain, "Mr. Big", was played by the actor John Vernon. In the movie, Vernon states about on his role as "Mr. Big" that while he might seem to be "above playing an exploitation villain", many others (including Angie Dickinson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Shelley Winters) have taken on similar roles.
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Plot [edit]
Jack Spade (Keenen Ivory Wayans) returns from the Army to his old neighborhood following the death of his brother, Junebug. The police determine Junebug's death to be the result of an "OG", or "Over Gold" — the victim has overdosed on gold chains. A brief image of Junebug is shown featuring him covered, head-to-toe, with gold chains. When not distracted by his old girlfriend and Junebug's wife Cheryl (Dawnn Lewis), Jack seeks revenge for his brother's death.
He declares war on "Mr. Big", a powerful local crime lord, who is seen as the person responsible for putting gold chains on the streets of Jack's neighborhood. Jack enlists the help of John Slade (Bernie Casey) Jack's childhood idol, who fought bad guys in the 1970s. With John's help, Jack enlists an "army" consisting of Hammer (Isaac Hayes) and Slammer (Jim Brown), Flyguy (Antonio Fargas), and Kung Fu Joe (Steve James). Together with his army, Jack sets out to eliminate the gold chain trade from the streets of his neighborhood and take down "Mr. Big".
Cast [edit]
- Keenen Ivory Wayans as Jack Spade
- Bernie Casey as John Slade
- Ja'net Dubois as Belle
- Isaac Hayes as Hammer
- Jim Brown as Slammer
- Antonio Fargas as Flyguy
- Steve James as Kung Fu Joe
- John Vernon as "Mr. Big"
- Dawnn Lewis as Cheryl
- Kadeem Hardison as Willie
- Damon Wayans as Leonard
- Kim Wayans as Nightclub Singer
- Chris Rock as Rib Joint Customer
- Anne-Marie Johnson as Cherry
- Eve Plumb as Kalinga's Wife
- Tony Cox as Wayne Evans
- Clarence Williams III as Kalinga
- David Alan Grier as Newsman
- Robin Harris as Bartender
- Marlon Wayans as Pedestrian
- Shawn Wayans as Pedestrian
- Don Messick as Pimp of the Year pageant announcer (uncredited)
- Robert Townsend (uncredited)
- Peggy Lipton (uncredited)
Reception [edit]
The movie received mixed reviews to generally positive reviews, earning a "fresh" 62% on Rotten Tomatoes.[1][2][3]
Television pilot [edit]
On December 15, 1990, the hour-long television pilot program called Hammer, Slammer, & Slade was shown on ABC-TV.[4]
Isaac Hayes (Hammer), Jim Brown (Slammer), and Bernie Casey (Slade) continued in their parts from the movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Also returning were Ja'net Dubois and Steve James. Although Keenen Ivory Wayans wrote the pilot, and he served as the executive producer, he did not appear in this pilot. Instead, the character of Jack Spade was portrayed by Eriq La Salle, who later acted in the TV series ER. Also acting in the pilot was the little-known (at the time) Martin Lawrence in Kadeem Hardison's former role as Willie "Ya-te-dee". (Note: Mr. Big's nephew and one of his henchmen.)
Hammer, Slammer, & Slade was not sold to any TV network, but it was shown several times in syndication. It simply became one of dozens of unsuccessful pilot programs that are made every year.
Release on DVD & HD [edit]
- In 2001, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka was published on DVD.
- In 2010, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka was digitized in High Definition (1080i) and also broadcast on MGM HD.
See also [edit]
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987)
- Black Dynamite (2009)
References [edit]
- ^ Maslin, Janet (1989-01-13). "Movie Review - I'm Gonna Git You Sucka". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka". Washington Post. 1988-12-16. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ Schwed, Mark (1990-04-13). "Night of the Living Laughs". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
External links [edit]
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka at the Internet Movie Database
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka at the TCM Movie Database
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka at AllRovi
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka at Rotten Tomatoes
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