Cotton Comes to Harlem
1970, English. Directed by Ossie Davis.
Introducing COFFIN ED and GRAVEDIGGER. Two detectives only a mother could love.
Harlem's African-American population is being ripped off by the Rev. Deke O'Malley, who dishonestly claims that small donations will secure parcels of land in Africa. When New York City police officers Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson look into O'Malley's scam, they learn that the cash is being smuggled inside a bale of cotton. However, the police, O'Malley, and lots of others find themselves scrambling when the money goes missing.
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
Start now and it ends at ….
Popcorn Flick
Fun if you don’t overthink it.
6.2/10 from 67 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch Cotton Comes to Harlem
Cotton Comes to Harlem is streaming on MGM Plus in India.
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Amazon VideoAvailability in India as of 11 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Part of a series
Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson: watch order
Cast & crew
- Ossie DavisDirector
- Godfrey CambridgeGravedigger Jones
- Raymond St. JacquesCoffin Ed Johnson
- Calvin LockhartRev. Deke O'Malley
- Judy PaceIris
- Redd FoxxUncle Bud / Booker Washington Sims
- Emily YancyMabel
- John AndersonCapt. Bryce
- Lou JacobiGoodman
- Eugene RocheLt. Anderson
- J.D. CannonCalhoun
- Mabel RobinsonBillie
- Dick SabolJarema
Details
- Released
- 27 May 1970
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Arnold Perl, Ossie Davis
- Budget
- $1.2M
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What Cotton Comes to Harlem is based on
Cotton Comes to Harlem is based on Cotton Comes to Harlem (1965) by Chester Himes, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.
1965
Cotton Comes to Harlem
By Chester Himes
Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
After Cotton Comes to Harlem
What comes next in the series.
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Cotton Comes to Harlem: quick answers
What comes after Cotton Comes to Harlem?
Next in the series: Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972).
Is Cotton Comes to Harlem worth watching?
Our verdict is Popcorn Flick: Fun if you don’t overthink it. It scores 6.2/10 from 67 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is Cotton Comes to Harlem?
Cotton Comes to Harlem runs 97 minutes (1h 37m).
Does Cotton Comes to Harlem have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Cotton Comes to Harlem. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Cotton Comes to Harlem parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
Cotton Comes to Harlem is rated R in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is Cotton Comes to Harlem on?
Cotton Comes to Harlem is streaming on MGM Plus in India. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like Cotton Comes to Harlem?
If you liked Cotton Comes to Harlem, try Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday, Who Is Cletis Tout?, Black Belt Jones.
Who directed Cotton Comes to Harlem?
Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) was directed by Ossie Davis and stars Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St. Jacques, Calvin Lockhart.
What is Cotton Comes to Harlem based on?
Cotton Comes to Harlem is based on Cotton Comes to Harlem (1965) by Chester Himes, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.