This movie made me feel like I was actually sitting in the Cotton Club. I developed an appreciation of the music from this era that has never gone away.
Part of the reason to watch this movie is the late, great Gregory Hines and his also-talented brother Maurice. Not many movies can legitimately incorporate tap-dancing into the plot. I am glad that Coppola took advantage of the opportunity to do so.
You also have to love Fred Gwynne. It was rather a shame that he was so type-cast via the Munsters. He had aspirations of being a more serious actor. He had a brief role as Michael Douglas’ boss in Fatal Attraction.
Jennifer Grey played Nicholas Cage’s wife in this film.
Ownie Madden had a hand in boxing back in the Cinderella Man days.
Dixie Dwyer was based on the actor George Raft, who had a role in Some Like it Hot.
This movie did not go over terribly well at the box office. It is not exactly uplifting to witness racism and mob violence. However, if you are a history buff, it follows true organized crime events pretty closely.
I was in it more for the music and the tap-dancing, which were outstanding. Richard Gere in his prime didn’t hurt either.
Cast
- Richard Gere as Dixie Dwyer
- Gregory Hines as Sandman Williams
- Diane Lane as Vera Cicero
- Lonette McKee as Lila Rose Oliver
- Bob Hoskins as Owney Madden
- James Remar as Dutch Schultz (Vera Cicero’s boyfriend)
- Nicolas Cage as Vincent Dwyer
- Allen Garfield as Abbadabba Berman
- Fred Gwynne as Frenchy Demange
- Gwen Verdon as Tish Dwyer
- Lisa Jane Persky as Frances Flegenheimer
- Maurice Hines as Clay Williams