Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

      R 1974 1h 26m Action Crime Drama List
      Reviews 25% Audience Score 50+ Ratings In 1950s Harlem a vicious Italian gangster (Frank deKova) tries to muscle in on a black racketeer's (Paul Harris) numbers game. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (5) audience reviews
      Tariq B A few worthy lines and vintage environs for the fan of the genre, but a forgettable movie in the long run. For some reason there's a transvestite in a central role which seemed unnecessary, but a common theme in black movies of the time. The lead is really good and the character "sweetman" has a presence. The title song is a good representative of the cultural zeitgeist of the time of number-runnin'. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/20/21 Full Review Audience Member Gave this a look while trawling through the last handfuls of Blaxploitation films that I had yet to see, and this one was unfortunately lesser-known for a reason, as it is a period piece that they obviously couldn't afford to really carry through with, as nothing looked of any other period save for a few vintage autos used here and there, and it was just distracting. Pass, unless you're just crossing stuff off a list the way I was. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member The Italian mafia tries to horn in on the ghetto numbers business in 1956 Chicago. Stars Paul Harris and Frank DeKova are too good for this incoherent, exploitative, and occasionally incompetent period blaxploitation picture that features a transvestite hit man. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Jive Turkey should actually be heard of a little more then the genre talks about because it does have a true flavor of the streets. Unfortunately it's super low production values ends up being its undoing in the end & keeps it from rising up from just being a middle of the road film. That's not a snobbish remark because something like Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song was able to accomplish a hell of a lot more w/ a fuck of a lot less. The gum that makes Jive Turkey all stick together is just a bit stale @ times & lacks flavor. It does have times that it burst that flavor of chitlins & collard greens from time to time in your mouth but it only comes in waves. Paul Harris a is deep voiced Barry White cool mother-fucker though & the best thing about it. Gonna have to check to the likes of The Mack & Truck Turner again & watch The Slams & keep an eye out for him Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This film should get 6 stars, its that good. First Black Film that I can say I truly enjoyed. Also know by the title Baby Needs A New Pair Of Shoes. This is one movie that is very believable. This is about blacks and Italians fight over the same turf. Scenes were real and actors were great. Even the great Chicago Cub player Ernie Banks was in the movie. Also Frank DeKove who was Chief Wild Eagle in F Troop, And how can a movie be bad with an actor like Onezene 'Ben' Geyen in it, with a name like that???? It was his only movie. Its worth the watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      Photos

      View All Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes photos

      Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

      Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (1974) Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (1974) Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (1974) Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes (1974) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1950s Harlem a vicious Italian gangster (Frank deKova) tries to muscle in on a black racketeer's (Paul Harris) numbers game.
      Director
      Bill Brame
      Production Co
      First American Films, Ransom
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Action, Crime, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 11, 2016
      Runtime
      1h 26m