Blu-ray
Don't play us cheap
Call Number
- BLU-RAY MUSICAL (CEN)
Edition
Blu-ray special edition.
Languages
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Performers
Joseph Keyes Jr., Rhetta Hughes, Avon Long, Esther Rolle, Nate Barnett, Frank Carey, Joshie Jo Armstead, George "Oopee" McCurn.
Publication Information
[Irvington, NY] : Criterion Collection, [2021]
Physical Description
1 videodisc (102 minutes) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
Audience
Not rated.
Summary
"Melvin Van Peebles's film version of his own Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical, Don't Play Us Cheap, is a bold blend of theater and nervy cinematic invention. A cast of Black stage and screen luminaries including Esther Rolle, Mabel King, and Avon Long stars in this charmingly offbeat, fablelike fantasy in which a pair of mischief-making devil-bats dispatched by Satan assume human form in order to wreak havoc on a Saturday-night house party in Harlem--only to find their diabolical plan thwarted by their hosts' infectious generosity of spirit. Staged with ebullience, the original blues- and gospel-infused songs by Van Peebles burst forth in a life-affirming celebration of Black joy, tenderness, resilience, and strength"--Container.
Notes
Originally released as a motion picture in 1972.
Disc originally released as part of the 5-disc set Melvin Van Peebles essential films.
Special features: 4K digital restoration, approved by filmmaker Mario Van Peebles in collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art, with 3.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack ; introduction by director Melvin Van Peebles from 1997 ; episode of Black Journal from 1972, featuring an interview with Van Peebles and musical performances by the film's cast.