Movie spotlight
If He Hollers, Let Him Go!
James Lake (Raymond St. Jacques) is an escaped black convict imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit. Leslie Whitlock (Kevin McCarthy) offers James money to kill his wife, Ellen (Dana Wynter). He declines and tries to look up his old flame Lily (Barbara McNair), but discovers his own brother is now married to the sultry nightclub singer. James returns to Leslie, and the trio travel towards a mountain retreat. James and Ellen escape and try to find the murderer who had framed James years before.
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Plot Summary
A young Black man is wrongly accused of raping a white woman in the Deep South and must fight for his freedom against a corrupt justice system. His sister and her white lawyer husband try to help him, but face significant prejudice and danger.
Critical Reception
The film is noted for its timely and powerful exploration of racial injustice and the struggles faced by African Americans in the segregated South. While it received some attention for its subject matter and performances, it is not as widely recognized as other films of its era addressing similar themes.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its important social commentary on racism.
The performances, particularly from the lead actors, were often highlighted.
Some found the narrative to be somewhat conventional despite its serious themes.
Google audience: Information not readily available for Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the novel of the same name by Chester Himes, a prominent writer of crime fiction and social commentary, known for his Harlem Cycle novels.
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