I played the Prosecuting Attorney in the Courtroom scene ,,,"nip this in the bud" was one of my lines that became a byword around the set after that scene was filmed. Phillip Michael Thomas and Denise Gordy were very nice people, young "comers", as it were, at the time. It's a shame the film never saw wide release---at the time I think it might have had something to do with this being St. Jacques's first directorial/producing effort, he went over budget and over time, I think, and only finished it with enormous help from Marty Hornstein who replaced Clyde Houston (who got me into it way above my skill level---I was an actor, but Clyde also used me as location, car, and general Texas wrangler) as AD. Brut Productions, the money guys, had some issues with Raymond (which wouldn't have been hard to do), and that probably caused some editing and/or release problems. It was a full script, with a good story---I have no idea why it ran so short. I never saw even a rough cut.
5 Reviews
Young and ambitious and black. Not good qualities in the south of the 1930's.
mark.waltz8 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In mixing blaxploitation with history and even a bit of comedy, you end up with an analysis of black American history that entertains, enlightens and disturbs. There's no denying that the South was filled with racism and still is, but the lengths to which it has gone past the presence of the klan, lynchings and Jim Crow laws is only the tip of the iceberg in all the atrocities that have occurred from alleged good Christian white folk. The numbers game surrounds the success of the ambitious, young Philip Michael Thomas who finds himself and his associates as the subjects of the attempts to pull them down and put them back in their place turn violent, resulting in a fight back.
It seems that a legitimate business attempt wasn't good enough to help them make a living thanks to the violent interference of the klan, so when they try something a little shadier, the law steps in to try to stop them through any means possible. Fortunately they find a sympathetic white judge who goes by the book of the law, but that opens even more hatred and conflicts within the black community. There's also the black man working as henchman for the white boss, finding out too late that one mistake by him in preventing the blacks from achieving success makes him completely expendable.
While the comic moments certainly help lighten this up from the issues with the clan (particularly a chase sequence involving black men disguised as the clan pursued by real clan members), this is a serious themed film that shows the intimacies of racism that are normally overlooked in documentation of this part of our history. The fear that occurs when invasions on black businesses is undeniable, and when Thomas's girlfriend (Freda Payne) become victimized by the big boss, the stage is set for a violent conclusion that creates more anger over the injustice of the situation. Raymond St. Jacques directs and co-stars, playing a character who aides in expressing the film's moral.
Yes, the stupidity of individual klan members exposes their foolishness, but when you have a bunch of stupid people together, the power they have is undeniable if still unexplainable. This aspect of the film makes you think about the subject matter through different eyes and that makes it a powerful drama. While obviously made on a low budget, that adds to the impact of the film because the blurriness of the photography at times acts as a metaphor. This film may not have been seen enough to make an impact, but in being rediscovered, the disturbing subject brings out issues not often covered in our history books and gives us more detail to the plight of simple people just trying to make it through that ugly little thing called life.
It seems that a legitimate business attempt wasn't good enough to help them make a living thanks to the violent interference of the klan, so when they try something a little shadier, the law steps in to try to stop them through any means possible. Fortunately they find a sympathetic white judge who goes by the book of the law, but that opens even more hatred and conflicts within the black community. There's also the black man working as henchman for the white boss, finding out too late that one mistake by him in preventing the blacks from achieving success makes him completely expendable.
While the comic moments certainly help lighten this up from the issues with the clan (particularly a chase sequence involving black men disguised as the clan pursued by real clan members), this is a serious themed film that shows the intimacies of racism that are normally overlooked in documentation of this part of our history. The fear that occurs when invasions on black businesses is undeniable, and when Thomas's girlfriend (Freda Payne) become victimized by the big boss, the stage is set for a violent conclusion that creates more anger over the injustice of the situation. Raymond St. Jacques directs and co-stars, playing a character who aides in expressing the film's moral.
Yes, the stupidity of individual klan members exposes their foolishness, but when you have a bunch of stupid people together, the power they have is undeniable if still unexplainable. This aspect of the film makes you think about the subject matter through different eyes and that makes it a powerful drama. While obviously made on a low budget, that adds to the impact of the film because the blurriness of the photography at times acts as a metaphor. This film may not have been seen enough to make an impact, but in being rediscovered, the disturbing subject brings out issues not often covered in our history books and gives us more detail to the plight of simple people just trying to make it through that ugly little thing called life.
Surprisingly Good for a Relatively Unknown Film
Uriah4320 June 2022
Having saved about $1000 dollars while working as a waiter, a black man named "Blueboy Harris" (Raymond St. Jacques) decides to leave his place of employment and head back to El Dorado, Arkansas where he plans to start an illegal gambling operation. Also traveling with him is a young black man named "Dave Green" (Philip Michael Thomas) who looks up to him as both his friend and mentor. Not surprisingly, considering the time and effort put in by Blueboy, it isn't long before the two of them become quite successful. Unfortunately, their success doesn't go unnoticed and not long afterward a white mobster by the name of "Luis Antoine" (Gilbert Green) decides to move in on their action. That being said, since Blueboy and Dave have set up their illegal gambling operation in a black part of town, Mr. Antoine sends a black man named "Joe Gaines" (Jerry Leon) there to convince them to cooperate. However, because neither Blueboy or Dave are impressed with him they decline-and this eventually causes severe problems for all concerned. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that I had never heard of this film until only a few weeks ago and, having just seen it, I must say that I was somewhat impressed with it. Not only did I like the overall plot and setting but I also thought that both Raymond St. Jacques and Philip Michael Thomas performed quite well also. Likewise, it certainly didn't hurt to have a couple of attractive actresses like Freda Payne (as Dave's girlfriend "Kelly Simms") and "Hope Clarke ("Pigmeat Goins") either. Be that as it may, as stated earlier, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
Young PMT in a classic blaxploitation film
crawford7 October 2002
Philip Michael Thomas has probably only been seen by most audiences in the MIAMI VICE television series, the quintessential action TV show of the 80's. But prior to MIAMI VICE PMT was seen in quite a number of blaxploitation films in the 1970's. BOOK OF NUMBERS is nearly impossible to find but it's one of the best blaxploitation films from the 70's that I've seen and it's one of PMT's best early roles. The film is no holds barred in its depiction of African-American life in the 30's in the South and the language and violence is fairly intense. It's got great atmosphere, an interesting plot and lots of attitude (but when you're fighting the KKK anything goes!) If you enjoy these kinds of films I'd definitely recommend this one, and especially if you enjoy PMT's acting in MIAMI VICE, you'll love him in this.
Interesting well acted movie.
soundmixer28 October 2002
The movie was good and the book it is based on is one of those rare novels that is so well written you think you are observing the characters first hand and it is almost like losing friends when the story ends. Deserves to be seen AND read.!!!
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