Trick Baby (1972)

Based on the novel by Robert Beck (who uses the truly awesome pseudonym "Iceberg Slim"), this is a very fine crime drama, set and shot entirely in Philly. Mel Stewart ('Scarecrow and Mrs. King') and Kiel Martin ('Hill Street Blues') are engaging as a black veteran con artist and his supposedly half black protégé. They are generally successful at their trade, but they end up buying trouble for themselves when one of their marks turns out to be the uncle of a mob boss. (Naturally, the mobster wants revenge.) They also get mixed up with a crooked detective (Dallas Edward Hayes), and try for a hefty payday with a shady land development deal.While at first glance, this might *seem* like blaxploitation, it isn't really. It's more of a modern urban predecessor to "The Sting" with an integrated cast. It's fundamentally an entertaining story, well told by co-screenwriter and director Larry Yust ("Homebodies"). It's violent, but not violent enough to turn off more squeamish viewers, and it's sexy without ever becoming overtly sleazy. It benefits a lot from the Philly location shooting, and the story keeps you hooked, wondering what will become of our anti-heroes. "Folks" (Martin) does worry that they are getting in over their heads, and urges "Blue" (Stewart) to try to leave the life. Blue, however, is much too enticed by the prospect of what waits for them inside a safety deposit box."Trick Baby" (the title refers to people such as Folks) has some very enjoyable dialogue, and solid atmosphere. At the heart of the film is the excellent chemistry between Stewart and Martin. Hayes is superb in support, and there's an appealing supporting performance by the sexy young Vernee Watson ('The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air') as Blues' much younger wife. Future 'Love Boat' bartender Ted Lange plays a pimp, and Thomas Anderson & Clebert Ford make the most out of their brief appearances. The music by James Bond is as delightful as any you'll hear in the blaxploitation genre.Well worth a look for any lover of movies about con artists.Eight out of 10.

Shrewd black veteran "Blue" Howard (a fine performance by Mel Stewart) and his equally wily mulatto young protégé Johnny "White Folks" O'Brien (an excellent portrayal by Kiel Martin) are a couple of ace con men who have just pulled off the biggest scam of their lives. However, Blue and Folks have to evade both brutal corrupt cop Dot Murray (a first-rate turn by Dallas Edward Hayes) and several vengeful mobsters while sweating out 24 hours in order to pick up their money. Director Larry Yust, who also co-wrote the crafty and involving script with A. Neuberg and T. Raewyn, does a commendable job of adapting Iceberg Slim's novel: Yust makes terrific use of the authentically gritty Philadelphia locations, relates the gripping story at a brisk pace, but still manages to spend some time developing the sharply drawn characters, maintains a tough, hard-edged tone throughout, sprinkles the barbed dialogue with plenty of appropriately rough and profane language, and delivers a few exciting action set pieces in the lively and suspenseful last third (a lengthy foot chase rates as the definite rousing highlight). The sound acting from the able cast helps a lot: Stewart and Martin display a believable and engaging chemistry in the leads, with solid support from Beverly Ballard as sweet mark Susan, Vernee Watson-Johnson as Blue's foxy and unfaithful wife Cleo, and Ted Lange as Melvin the Pimp. Isidore Mankofsky's cinematography vividly captures the sordid urban environment. James Bond's funky score hits the get-down groovy spot. The surprise bummer ending packs a devastating punch. Recommended viewing.

The story is that of two con-men: White Folks (Kiel Martin), who had a black mother and a white father and whose skin is white; and Blue Howard ( Mel Stewart), a grizzled black veteran who has taught his young protégé everything he knows about the art of dishonest tricks… Together they cheat the Mafia and the police; they make $10,000 and have to give some of it away to the local black protection retailer; they set up a confidence property deal to get by fraud some over-greedy white businessmen out of $150,000, but cannot quite shield the stolen loot… The distinguished trait of the film is that not all the blacks are all good, and not all the whites are all bad… What is more, it makes a point of showing that black men can play on their color to win their own ends

Frankly, this film bowled me over. Do not think of blaxploitation but of one of David Mamet's better movies or Federico Fellini's "Il Bidone". It is perfect in every sense of the word. A good, concise story, thrilling from the first second to the tragic ending, unforgettable dialogue, artful location shooting in Philadelphia, interesting editing, fabulous performances by largely unknown actors and a character that should enter the annals of great screen heroes: The hustler and compulsive liar Blue Howard, brilliantly played by Mel Stewart (actors got Oscar nominated for less).Trick Baby starts with a beautifully minimalistic setting - a stage really for a con trick: In a dreary hotel room that has seen better days, Blue, an elderly African American, prepares the setting (screwing off light bulbs, distributing full ash trays). Then he receives his young partner White Folks ("he ain't white, he just looks it", insists Blue) who accompanies an old white man. Blue plays the part of a hard pressured hustler who has some stones to sell, White Folks the part of the tough guy representing a possible buyer, keeping the price low by menacing behaviour. The old white man falls for it and buys the stones - actually junk - for 10000 dollars.Luck begins to change soon after that, and Blue and White Folks have to use their talents to keep alive. This does not prevent them from pulling a few con tricks in between. It is convincingly shown that they are actually addicted to it and instinctively spot a good opportunity every other minute. Lying by telling stories that are untrue is presented as an art form and as a strategy to get some meaning out of life. This is done in a moving way and less sarcastically than Mamet usually does. Blue does not hesitate to tell a preacher spontaneously an elaborate story about a fugitive from Down South he has to rescue in order to get the preacher's help - and you can observe how the desparate Blue draws life force from his very telling this lie (you need a lot of acting talent to convey this).Although Blue and White Folks operate as a pair, Blue is the main character of Trick Baby. He is the leader of the team. He shows fatherly feelings towards his young partner who Blues claims is the son of a black mother. Blue feels responsible for White Folks when things turn ugly. It is Blue who tries to rescue White Folks who got wounded. He cons himself into an optimistic mood up to the tragic end of the movie and does not give up until his heart stops beating - which makes Blue Howard a hero in a twisted sort of way.