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Melvin Van Peeble’s astonishing range as an artist is amply demonstrated in Don’t Play Us Cheap, the comedic tale of two minions of the devil who crash a Harlem party thrown by Miss Maybell (Esther Rolle-“Good Times,” Driving Miss Daisy), with high hopes of destroying its festive atmosphere. The first of the imps to arrive, Trinity (Joe Keyes Jr.), loses sight of his mission and consequently falls in love with May Maybell’s impressionable young niece Earnestine (Rhetta Hughes). Trinity is later joined by Brother Dave (Avon Long-Porgy & Bess, Roots: The Next Generation), his older, more jaded partner. But as Dave pulls out all the stops to dampen the mood, he serves only to enhance the partygoers’ good spirits.
Original Release
12/11/1972
US Release
12/11/1972
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Thomas Anderson | Mr. Percy |
Jay Van Leer | Mrs. Johnson (as Jay Vanleer) / Mrs. Johnson |
Robert Dunn | Guest |
Mabel King | House guest at the party |
George Ooppee McCurn | Guest |
Joshie Armstead | Guest |
Frank Carey | Mr. Johnson |
Nate Barnett | Guest |
Esther Rolle | Miss Maybell |
Avon Long | Brother Dave |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Thomas Anderson | Mr. Percy |
Jay Van Leer | Mrs. Johnson (as Jay Vanleer) / Mrs. Johnson |
Robert Dunn | Guest |
Mabel King | House guest at the party |
George Ooppee McCurn | Guest |
Joshie Armstead | Guest |
Frank Carey | Mr. Johnson |
Nate Barnett | Guest |
Esther Rolle | Miss Maybell |
Avon Long | Brother Dave |
Rhetta Hughes | Earnestine |
Joe Keyes Jr. | Trinity (as Joseph Keyes) / Trinity |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Melvin Van Peebles | Producer |
Charles Blackwell | Producer |
Jerry Weissman | Producer |