Cotton Comes to Harlem
Theatrical Poster
Main Cast
Character
Actor
Gravedigger Jones
Godfrey Cambridge
Coffin Ed Johnson
Raymond St. Jacques
Reverend Deke O'Malley
Calvin Lockhart
Iris
Judy Pace
Uncle Bud
Redd Foxx
Calhoun
J.D. Cannon
Cotton Comes to Harlem Ossie Davis and based on a novel of the same name by Chester Himes. Two NYPD detectives, Gravedigger Jones (Godfrey Cambridge ) and Coffin Ed Johnson (Raymond St. Jacques ) investigate the robbery of $87,000 of savings from poor Harlem families, stolen during a "Back to Africa" fundraising drive held by conman Reverend Deke O'Malley (Calvin Lockhart). Hidden in a bale of cotton, the money changes hands numerous times as the detectives, O'Malley and the gang of thieves that stole the money fight over it. Cotton Comes to Harlem is notable as one of the earliest Blaxploitation films and spawned a sequel, 1972's Come Back, Charleston Blue .
The following weapons were used in the film Cotton Comes to Harlem :
Handguns Colt Python Coffin Ed Johnson (Raymond St. Jacques ) uses a nickel-plated Colt Python as his main weapon throughout the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Python with 4" Barrel and factory wood grips - .357 Magnum Error creating thumbnail: File missing Coffin Ed Johnson fires the Colt Python during the robbery of the money. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Coffin Ed holds the Python during a car chase. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Colt Python is fired at the fleeing robbers. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Coffin Ed holds the Python in the finale. Colt Detective Special Gravedigger Jones (Godfrey Cambridge ) uses a nickel-plated Colt Detective Special as his sidearm.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Detective Special 1st Gen with nickel finish and pearl grips - .38 Special Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger hands Coffin Ed his Colt Detective Special. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger holds the Colt Detective Special while questioning Deke O'Malley's wife Iris. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger uses his revolver to shoot away a hippie's hat. Beretta Model 70 Gravedigger also fires a Beretta Model 70 during the car chase sequence.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Beretta Model 70 - .32 ACP Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt M1911A1 Coffin Ed uses a M1911A1 pistol alongside his Colt Python during a shootout at Abe Goodman's junkyard, and later in the finale at the Apollo Theater.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing World War II Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP Error creating thumbnail: File missing Coffin Ed holds the M1911A1 during the junkyard shootout. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger and Coffin Ed interrogate Iris. Smith & Wesson M&P Calhoun (J.D. Cannon) uses a Smith & Wesson M&P revolver to threaten O'Malley's wife Iris (Judy Pace).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver - .38 Special Error creating thumbnail: File missing Calhoun threatens Iris. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Calhoun holds the Smith & Wesson M&P. Shotguns Sawn-Off Double Barreled Shotgun A sawn-off double barreled shotgun is used by Gravedigger during the finale.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Remington Spartan Sawed Off shotgun - 12 gauge Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger enters a safe room after using the sawn-off to shoot open the door. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger holds the shotgun in the finale. Winchester Model 1897 Riot Gun NYPD officers including Sergeant Jerema (Dick Sabol) use Winchester Model 1897 riot guns while confronting protesters who want to free O'Malley from jail.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester Model 1897 Riot Gun - 12 Gauge Error creating thumbnail: File missing Officers grab Winchester Model 1897 shotguns. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sergeant Jerema holds a Winchester Model 1897. Submachine Guns Carl Gustaf M/45 The thieves use Carl Gustaf M/45 submachine guns while stealing the money from O'Malley's rally, and later during the junkyard shootout.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Swedish K / Carl Gustav M45 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A thief holds a Carl Gustaf M/45. Note the enlarged blank adaptor. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The thief opens fire. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A thief fires a M/45 during the junkyard shootout. M1928 Thompson One of Deke O'Malley's henchmen wields a M1928 Thompson during the shootout at the scrapyard.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1928 "Tommy Gun" or "Chicago typewriter" with 50-round drum magazine - .45 ACP, made famous through countless classic gangster movies. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The henchman opens fire with the M1928 Thompson, which has an attached flashlight. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The henchman exchanges fire with the thieves. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The M1928 Thompson is sprayed wildly. Rifles M1A1 Carbine M1A1 Carbines are used by the thieves during the robbery of O'Malley's rally. Calhoun later uses a M1A1 carbine during the shootout at the junkyard.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1A1 Carbine with original L style rear sights, and side-folding stock, often referred to as the 'Paratrooper' carbine - .30 Carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A thief brandishes a M1A1 Carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A thief holds a M1A1 during the car chase. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Calhoun holds a M1A1 Carbine. Rifles An assortment of rifles can be found in a saferoom under the pulpit at O'Malley's church.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Other Vz. 30 Flare Pistol Gravedigger uses a Vz. 30 Flare Pistol during the junkyard shootout to alert Coffin Ed and to shoot one of O'Malley's men.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vz. 30 Flare Pistol - 26.5mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger holds a Vz. 30 Flare Pistol. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gravedigger fires the Vz. 30 Flare Pistol. Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun NYPD officers use the Federal Gas Riot Gun during a standoff with protesters outside the precinct.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun - 37mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing NYPD officers hold Federal Gas Riot Guns. 
