Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind The Making Of “Harlem Nights”

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Three Generations

One of the many reasons, black folk liked this film, when the mainstream didn’t, was because it included three generations of black comedians. Just like Eddie looked up to Richard Pryor, Pryor looked up to Redd Foxx, even working in Redd’s Los Angeles club when he was first starting out. So at 67, 49 and 28 the men were able to say that they are very similar but still unique in their approach, which is what helped to make their working relationship so successful. In the Jan 1990 issue of Ebony magazine, Eddie shared what this opportunity meant to him:

“This whole thing didn’t happen until we all got together and cooked this up,” Murphys says. “Hollywood wasn’t trying to hook us up. But I think it’s just historic that I get to work with these brothers. The privilege of working with Richard and Redd has been the greatest reward of my career.”

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