''Which Way is Up?'' is a 1977 American

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

starring

Richard Pryor Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor Sr. (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Known for reaching a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style, he is widely regarded ...

and directed by

Michael Schultz Michael Schultz (born November 10, 1938) is an American director and producer of theater, film and television. Life and career Schultz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of an African-American mother Katherine Frances Leslie (1917–199 ...

. It is an American version of the 1972 Italian comedy film '' The Seduction of Mimi''. Richard Pryor plays three roles: an orange picker who has two women at the same time, the orange picker's father, and a reverend who gets the orange picker's wife pregnant.

Plot

When he falls into a union action by mistake, Leroy Jones is forced out of town. The only option given to Leroy was a one way bus ticket to Los Angeles, where more jobs are available. While he is away, Leroy becomes smitten with Vanetta, a beautiful labor activist. When he returns home, he has to juggle his wife, his new romance with Vanetta, and his new job. Meanwhile, the Reverend Lenox Thomas takes advantage of Leroy's absence to cavort with Annie Mae, leading Leroy to take revenge with the reverend's wife.

Cast

as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Reverend Lenox Thomas *

Lonette McKee Lonette Rita McKee (born July 22, 1954) is an American actress and singer. She made her big screen debut starring as Sister Williams in the original 1976 musical-drama film '' Sparkle''. McKee later appeared in films '' Which Way Is Up?'' (1977) ...

as Vanetta *

Margaret Avery Margaret Avery is an American actress. She began her career appearing on stage and later had starring roles in films including '' Cool Breeze'' (1972), '' Which Way Is Up?'' (1977), ''Scott Joplin'' (1977) which earned her an NAACP Image Award no ...

as Annie Mae *

Morgan Woodward Thomas Morgan Woodward (September 16, 1925 – February 22, 2019) was an American actor who is best known for his recurring role as Marvin "Punk" Anderson on the television soap opera ''Dallas'' and for his portrayal of Boss Godfrey, the sungla ...

as Mr. Mann * Marilyn Coleman as Sister Sarah * BeBe Drake-Hooks as Thelma * Gloria Edwards as Janelle * Ernesto Hernandez as Jose Reyes * Otis Day as Sugar * Morgan Roberts as Henry * Diane Rodriguez as Estrella Reyes *

Dolph Sweet Adolphus Jean Sweet (July 18, 1920 – May 8, 1985) was an American actor credited with nearly 60 television and film roles and more than 50 roles in stage productions, including performances on Broadway. He often played policemen throughout ...

as The Boss *

Carmen Filpi Carmen Filpi (March 22, 1923 – May 9, 2003) was an American character actor who starred in films and on television. Biography His first acting job was in the 1969 film ''Wild Gypsies''. He also starred in '' The Ice Pirates'' (1984), '' Pee-We ...

as Wino *

Marc Alaimo Marc Alaimo is an American actor known for his villainous roles. He is best known for his role as recurring villain Gul Dukat in the TV series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Early and personal life Alaimo was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He ...

as Frankie * Timothy Thomerson as Tour Guide * Danny Valdez as Chuy Estrada *

Luis Valdez Luis Miguel Valdez (born June 26, 1940) is an American playwright, screenwriter, film director and actor. Regarded as the father of Chicano film and playwriting, Valdez is best known for his play '' Zoot Suit'', his movie '' La Bamba'', and his ...

as Ramon Juarez *

Harry Northup Harry E. Northup (born September 2, 1940) is an American actor and poet. As an actor, he made frequent appearances in the films of Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme and Jonathan Kaplan. Personal life and career Northup was born in Amarillo, Texas. ...

as Chief Goon

Reception

''TV Guide'' rated ''Which Way Is Up?'' 1/5 stars and wrote that Pryor plays his character as unlikable, making the film unfunny.

References

External links

* * * {{authority control 1977 films 1977 comedy films 1970s sex comedy films African-American comedy films American sex comedy films American remakes of Italian films 1970s English-language films Films directed by Michael Schultz Films produced by Steve Krantz Films set in Los Angeles Films set in Venice Films with screenplays by Carl Gottlieb Universal Pictures films 1970s American films English-language sex comedy films