Hoodlum

"Power is measured in enemies."

Aug 27 1997 R 2h 10m
Crime, Drama

In 1934, the second most lucrative business in New York City was running 'the numbers'. When Madam Queen—the powerful woman who runs the scam in Harlem—is arrested, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson takes over the business and must resist an invasion from a merciless mobster.

Plot

The film focuses on the war of two gangs in 1930s Harlem for the control of illegal gaming - one headed by black strategic godfather Bumpy Johnson and another by white ruthless hothead Dutch Schultz. Negotiations proposed by white syndicate boss Lucky Luciano never get under way, blood flows and Johnson gets jailed. When Johnson is paroled, he gets the work of enforcer for mighty Stephanie "The Queen" St. Clair. She is also jailed for racketeering and when she leaves she makes him promise "no violence".

Written by

Chris Brancato

Directed by

Bill Duke

Cast

Laurence Fishburne, Tim Roth, Vanessa Williams

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

United Artists

Languages

English

Awards

7 nominations

Trailers
Hoodlum Trailer 1997
Hoodlum (1997) ORIGINAL TRAILER
Scores
# of Votes
13,888
Average Rating
6.3 out of 10
Metascore
50
Popularity
NA