Watch The Monkey Hustle

The Monkey Hustle is a 1976 comedy-drama film set in Chicago's South Side. Starring Yaphet Kotto, Kirk Calloway, and Thomas Carter, the movie follows the story of a group of hustlers who come together to pull off a memorable con that would leave everyone wondering how it was done. Set in a time when segregation and racism were rampant, the movie introduces us to the main characters; a group of African American guys who are masters of the art of the hustle, each with their unique skills. However, they soon realize that their usual tricks are no longer working, and they need to come up with something new to stay ahead of their rivals.

As they brainstorms, they come up with a creative plan to hustle the local community using a monkey. The monkey, named Boogaloo, is trained to perform impressive tricks, and they plan to use him to make money on the street. Their plan seems simple enough, but as they delve deeper into it, they realize that their troubles are far from over.

The group's leader, Daddy Foxx (played by Yaphet Kotto), has to fight off a rival gang, the Shan Creek Crew, who want a piece of the action. Along with this, the group must also deal with the police, who are hot on their tails, and the irate local residents, who are not happy with the monkey roaming their streets.

Despite the many obstacles thrown their way, Daddy Foxx's gang refuses to give up on their plan. They are determined to make the monkey hustle a success, and to do so, they enlist the help of the local community. As they work together to pull off their trick, they also expose the deep-rooted issues in their neighborhood and the impact of segregation and racism.

As the movie progresses, the audience sees the characters develop and grow, overcoming their individual challenges through their unity as a team. The Monkey Hustle serves as a reminder that success comes from collective effort, and we can only overcome our problems by working together.

The movie is packed with excellent acting, a great storyline, and a unique concept. It offers a glimpse into the history of Chicago's South Side, and the segregation that existed in the 1970s. Director Arthur Marks does a great job of bringing together humor and social commentary, making The Monkey Hustle a timeless classic.

Overall, The Monkey Hustle is a must-watch for fans of comedy-drama movies. It offers not only great entertainment but also a deeper commentary on the social issues of its time.

The Monkey Hustle is a 1976 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.