Dark Manhattan

Dark Manhattan is a black and white American film produced in 1937 by a partnership of African Americans Ralph Cooper and George Randol.^[1] Harry Fraser directed the film, which was written by Randol who was also the executive producer. The film was the only one made by Randol-Cooper Productions.

Dark Manhattan
Directed by	Harry Fraser
Written by	George Randol
Produced by	Ralph Cooper George Randol
Starring	Ralph Cooper
Cinematography	Arthur Reed
Edited by	Arthur A. Brooks
Music by	Ben Ellison Harvey O. Brooks
Production company	Randol-Cooper Productions
Release date	January 19, 1937 (1937-01-19)
Running time	69 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The film Dark Manhattan

The film opens with a dedication to R. B. Harrison, Bert Williams, and Florence Mills "and all the pioneer Negro actors who by their many sacrifices paved the way for this presentation."

Music was by Ellison & Brooks (Ben Ellison and Harvey O. Brooks). Ben Rinaldo was associate producer.^[2]

The film had its world premiere on January 19, 1937, at the Lincoln Theater, in the heart of L.A.'s Central Avenue Corridor.^[3]

The film is discussed in the book Making a Promised Land.^[2]

Plot

An up-and-coming youngster ruthlessly takes control of the numbers racket from the ailing former boss.^[4]

Cast

• Ralph Cooper as Curly Thorpe
• Cleo Herndon as Flo Gray
• Clarence Brooks as Larry Lee
• Jess Lee Brooks as Lieut. Ballot
• Sam McDaniel as Jack Johnson
• Corny Anderson as Atty. Brown
• Rubeline Glover as Miss Hall
• James Adamson as Lem