Review of Hell Up In Harlem (1973) by Kevin R — 25 Feb 2014

Haven't you ever seen a man shot before?

Tommy Gibbs is a man with government secrets that hides from the law and keeps to himself. His ex-wife, who is informed Tommy is in deep trouble, sells off his secrets. She thinks she is saving him; instead, she is kidnapped and tortured. Tommy comes out of hiding and hunts down the men responsible for taking his ex-wife.

"He's always had a knack for fucking women.".

Larry Cohen, director of Original Gangstas, A Return to Salem's Lot, It's Alive, It Lives Again, Wicked Stepmother, and Full Moon High, delivers Hell up in Harlem. The storyline for this picture is okay and contains interesting characters. The script was entertaining with a few funny zingers. The cast delivers okay performances for the genre and the cast includes Fred Williamson, Julius Harris, Gloria Hendry, and Margaret Avery.

"An old man is going to whoop my ass?".

I am a huge grindhouse fan and appreciate the blaxploitation films within the genre. This is a better than average action picture and a worthwhile addition to the genre. This isn't a perfect picture by any means, but it is worth a viewing if you're a fan of the genre.

"You ain't fit to raise children.".

Grade: C+.