Amazing Grace features some extremely simplistic writing and broad (to say the least) acting, but the overall message of the film is positive and inspiring, and "Moms" is really a sight to see. She carries this film on her back with no effort at all. A classy performance by Moses Gunn and some wonderful location shooting (even though the film was shot in Philly, not Baltimore) aid the film as well. A bizarre cameo by Butterfly McQueen is the icing on the cake. Recommended. 7/10.
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Cobbler14 February 2002
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In continuing my reviews of African-Americans in film in chronological order for Black History Month, we're once again at 1974 with the second movie in a row that has a supporting role for Rosalind Cash after her appearance in Uptown Saturday Night, Amazing Grace. This movie starred comedienne Moms Mabley as Grace in her only lead role before her untimely death a year later. Though it takes a while, you do get used to the various ways Ms. Mabley expresses herself whether she's happy, sad, or angry. I especially liked her scenes as a maid sneaking behind the current mayor played by Dolph Sweet as he's talking on the telephone and her call to a Clarine played by a welcome movie veteran, Butterfly McQueen at her most endearingly scatterbrained. Another veteran, Stepin Fetchit, also appears as himself as part of Moms' family saying goodbye to her on the train in a clear voice much different from his usual characterization as slow-witted and slow-speaking. Slappy White as Mabley's neighbor Forthwith Wilson is also good especially when he does some of his tap dancing. Moses Gunn brings some depth as the Mayor-to-be Welton J. Waters who learns some lessons from Grace with wife Creola (Cash) also getting a handful from her to Creola's eventual delight. Among white players besides Sweet, James Karen as the crooked campaign manager Annenberg also impresses. Two young adult black players-George Lee Miles and Gary Bolling-also appeared later that year in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. And, to complete my mention of black people involved here, director Stan Lathan is the father of actress Sanaa Lathan and producer/writer Matt Robinson (the original Gordon on "Seseme Street") is the father of actress Holly Robinson Peete. Not quite hilarious but pretty amusing comedy that should at least put a smile on your face even as you see Ms. Mabley at the end in her final close-up as we watch her for the last time...
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young_scholar24 May 2018Tipped to a political machination which will put a dullard in city hall as a stooge for corrupt politicians, Moms Mabley as Grace leads a popular movement to set things aright. Successful in her efforts, Grace is too busy with her usual chores about the house and garden to take a seat at the victory celebration. The story is cute and delightful. But of course only Amazing Grace can save us.
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There are a ton of flaws in this weakly written political comedy that turns 78 year old black female comic Mins Mabley into a modern day version of Mr. Smith and Mr. Deeds minus the Capra corn. Initially irritating and even snubbed by other blacks, Moms takes on shady mayoral candidate Moses Gunn and turns him honest after exposing him for intended financial fraud. Involving current Baltimore mayor Dolph Sweet and crooked money man James Karen, this fraud is sure to have negative ramifications for the struggling blacks in Baltimore, something that the toothless but not brainless struggles to prevent.
Not the best actress, Mabley is still endearing as she strives to show just what one determined little old lady can do when she puts her mind to it. Mabley is aided by retired train Porter Slappy White who bugs Gunn's house and learns of the corrupt plans, setting Ma's plans into motion. The beautiful Rosalind Cash is outstanding as Gunn's alcoholic wife who appears to be simply disgusted by the immoral mess that they got themselves in.
Manley gets a lengthy speech towards the end that stirs up the populace and leads into a musical number out of nowhere. It's silly and unbelievable at times, but ultimately is a fantasy of how politics should work. As Moms would say, she'd have her full set of teeth before this happens. A brief phone scene with Moms and Butterfly McQueen is extremely odd. Look quick for Stepin Fetchit. This seems to wrap up rather quickly and without real direction. Too bad though that Moms died so soon after this and that she is almost forgotten. Her character may not take any disrespect or suffer fools, but her heart is definitely in the right place even if she's rather hard to take at times. -
leighabc1237 May 2011This movie was so funny and crazy! Moms Mabley made wise crack remarks throughout this entire movie. And she always talked in a deep voice. Why didn't she wear dentures? And Slappy White was happy go lucky throughout the entire movie. The funniest scene was when Moms Mabley got into an argument with Rosalind Cash's drunk character. She was the most interesting politician's wife ever in a movie for that time period. Overall, this movie was stupid. But it had a lot of great actors who are no longer with us, such as Moses Gunn and Dolph Sweet. Look for Clifton Davis making a cameo in this movie and Debbie Morgan making a walk on role in this movie before she became a star.
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kevin_robbins19 October 2023I recently watched Amazing Grace (1974) on Tubi. The storyline follows an older lady who moves to Baltimore right next door to a black up and coming political official. The old lady over hears some corrupt behavior at her neighbors and decides to try and get more details to release to the public to ensure the right leadership is in charge of Baltimore.
This movie is directed by Stan Lathan (Beat Street) and stars Jackie "Moms" Mabley (Boarding House Blues), Slappy White (Sanford and Son), Moses Gunn (Shaft), Rosalind Cash (The Omega Man) and Debbi Morgan (Eve's Bayou).
Amazing Grace offers good, wholesome comedy and presents a relatable, authentic main character. It feels like a comedy your grandmother would have written and brought to life. The situations depicted in the film are a mix of hits and misses, wildly unrealistic at times, but still enjoyable to watch unfold. Jackie "Moms" Mabley's facial expressions and body language are perfect, leaving a smile on your face throughout the film. Moses Gunn excels as the villain, and Rosalind Cash's gorgeous presence adds to the film's charm.
In conclusion, Amazing Grace is a clean comedy that may not be anything extraordinary but is still a pleasant watch. I would rate this a 5/10 and recommend giving it a watch. -
DonGinter-116 January 2005I can not remember when the last time is I saw such a truly funny, funny movie. There are NO swear words, nudity (or close!), crude humor, etc. It is a PURELY FUNNY MOVIE. I saw this on one of the Direct Satilite TV Movie Channels and have not been able to find it anywhere since. Unlike most of the black actors/actresses of her time, Ma Mabley can pull off gut-wrenching laughter from you, without having to resort to dirty language. If only Richard Prior, Redd Foxx, Bill Cosby (yes, even HE "had" to use mild swear words to try to get a laugh, especially in his beginning), Martin Lawrence, etc. etc. would have taken a 'lesson from Ma', they too might have been this funny! I would give my HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION to this movie. It should be RE-RELEASED and in everyone's collection!! Don Ginter Northville NY 12134-0627 USA
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funkyfry1 June 2014You've never seen anything like this..... Moms Mabley, looking a few inches away from the grave (and not caring one bit), taking no prisoners and giving no quarter as she lays into corrupt white and black politicians in her Baltimore neighborhood. Mabley is like nobody you have ever seen in a film before: from her missing teeth, bald patch on her head, cheap floral print dresses, plastic fruit on her dinner table, and her bizarre (but not stereotyped) speech patterns, she cuts a figure that is a million miles away from what the ads billed as "America's Most Glamorous, Sexiest Female Superstar!" Forget about Madea, Moms Mabley is the real deal. Not only is she funny as all heck, especially when she spars with sexy Rosalind Cash, light-skinned dicty wife of a would-be mayoral candidate (Moses Gunn), but her sincerity and warmth also come across strongly when she speaks about gentrification and corruption.
Backing her up, as well as Cash and Moses who acquit themselves without embarrassment, are Slappy White (who plays her husband, a retired Pullman worker with faded youthful dreams of being "better than" Bill Robinson and every other black performer he can recall off the top of his head), and the devious James Karen (who may have earned himself his role as the sleazy real estate man in "Poltergeist" with his fearless portrayal of a white scumbag), as well as a few cameos from other black stars of yesteryear. Butterfly McQueen has a funny scene as a sort of campaign consultant, and Stepin Fetchit himself appears (as himself) early on.
I enjoyed the film a lot -- it's a unique comedy, Mabley is laugh-out-loud funny and seems just on the edge of senility. She has the sort of attitude like "well, I'm going to die any day, so I might as well tell EVERYBODY just what I think." I enjoyed how the film played on the way everyone, including Moses' slick black politician, under-estimates her intelligence until it's too late.
There's also an oddly affecting angle in the film, a sort of wistful nostalgia for black entertainment of the past, as the film attempts to bring people like Mabley and White into the modern era. In one of the film's first scenes, White is intoxicated as he handles his duties on his last day of work as a Pullman conductor. One of the passengers, a young black man in a college shirt, becomes indignant at his "shuck and jive" -- he's tap dancing in the train's hall, offering the passengers fried chicken with a big grin -- but after a fight almost breaks out, the two come to an understanding, and the young man helps Mabley and White in their quest to rid government of corrupt white people. The film seems to be saying: it's one thing to be proud, another thing to lose the ability to laugh at yourself. -
johnsonsharohn23 March 2020Excellent movie and SUPERB cast and performances....will definitely watch this movie again!!