Here’s a shout-out for Francis Ford Coppola’s OTHER great gangster movie, 1984’s Harlem-set The Cotton Club.
Coppola took the job because he needed the money, having bankrupted himself making One From The Heart. Its production was an expensive shambles, spread over 5 years, it lost a ton of money, and one of its financial backers was murdered in mysterious circumstances, but it still ended up being a lot of fun. It is unjustifiably overlooked imho.
Richard Gere stars as a jazz musician, who falls for gangster Dutch Schultz’ girlfriend, played by Diane Lane. But the plot, such as it is, is secondary to some great jazz and dance sequences and memorable supporting performances, notably a double-act between Bob Hoskins and Fred Gwynne as the club’s owners.
This great French poster oozes retro art deco style and is for sale here.