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Comedy Cult Classic

Richard Pryor juggles love, labor, and laughs in a triple-role comedy of mistaken loyalties.

WHICH WAY IS UP?

1977 · 1h 34m · R · Comedy · IMDB TMDB

Richard Pryor plays three roles - a beleaguered, sex-starved farm worker named Leroy Jones; the farm worker's randy old father Rufus; and the hypocritical town preacher Rev. Lenox Thomas - and Pryor has never been so outrageously funny. The lives and love lives of these three men cross and crisscross as Leroy tries to get his life back on track.

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Quick Answer

What is Which Way Is Up? about?

Which Way Is Up? is a 1977 American comedy film directed by Michael Schultz about Leroy Jones, a farm worker who, after losing his job due to a union mix-up, navigates family, romance, and work while Richard Pryor plays three wildly different roles.

Programmer's Pick

Richard Pryor is a one-man wrecking crew in Which Way Is Up?, delivering three performances that bounce between sly, sleazy, and utterly sympathetic. With labor unions, marital mayhem, and a preacher who's more sinner than saint, this is 1970s comedy at its most chaotic.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

When orange picker Leroy Jones accidentally finds himself embroiled in a union action, he loses his job and is forced to seek new work in Los Angeles to support his wife Annie Mae, their children, and his father Rufus. In LA, Leroy is drawn to Vanetta, a dynamic labor activist, complicating his already tangled personal life. Meanwhile, back home, the opportunistic Reverend Lenox Thomas starts an affair with Annie Mae, prompting a comedic spiral of revenge and romantic entanglements. Richard Pryor anchors this farce by playing not just Leroy, but also his irrepressible father and the scheming Reverend, as the plot crisscrosses the intersecting lives and desires of all three men.

Details & Specs

Director
Michael Schultz
Writers
Cecil Brown, Lina Wertmüller, Carl Gottlieb
Release
1977
Runtime
1h 34m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Comedy

Why This Matters

This film showcases Richard Pryor's versatility as he takes on three distinct roles, and it adapts the Italian comedy The Seduction of Mimi for American audiences under the direction of Michael Schultz.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Michael Schultz Writers: Cecil Brown +2 more
Richard Pryor Richard Pryor Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas Lonette McKee Lonette McKee Vanetta Margaret Avery Margaret Avery Annie Mae Morgan Woodward Morgan Woodward Mr. Mann Marilyn Coleman Marilyn Coleman Sister Sarah Thomas Joe Turkel Joe Turkel Harry Boatwright Kathy Cronkite Kathy Cronkite Photographer DR Diane Rodriguez Estrella Reyes EH Ernesto Hernández Jose Reyes GE Gloria Edwards Janelle Bebe Drake Bebe Drake Thelma DeWayne Jessie DeWayne Jessie Sugar MR Morgan Roberts Henry Dolph Sweet Dolph Sweet The Boss Tim Thomerson Tim Thomerson Tour Guide DV Daniel Valdez Chuy Estrada Luis Valdez Luis Valdez Ramon Juarez Marc Alaimo Marc Alaimo Frankie Victor Argo Victor Argo Angel Carmen Filpi Carmen Filpi Wino Tanya Lynne Lee Tanya Lynne Lee Althea Paul Mooney Paul Mooney Inspector Caine Korla Pandit Korla Pandit The Hindu Hank Worden Hank Worden The Flunky CA Clifford A. Pellow White Boss

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Why Cult

Pryor Triple Threat

Richard Pryor plays three distinct roles—Leroy, his father Rufus, and the conniving Reverend—showcasing his comedic range.

Labor Union Farce

The plot kicks off with a union mishap, twisting the everyday struggles of migrant workers into sharp satire.

Blaxploitation Comedy

Part of the 1970s blaxploitation wave, the film mines humor from social and racial tensions of the era.

Romantic Chaos

Multiple affairs, mistaken loyalties, and revenge plots create a whirlwind of comedic relationships.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Which Way Is Up? released? +

Which Way Is Up? was released in 1977.

Who directed Which Way Is Up?? +

Which Way Is Up? was directed by Michael Schultz.

How long is Which Way Is Up?? +

Which Way Is Up? has a runtime of 94 minutes.

What genre is Which Way Is Up?? +

Which Way Is Up? is a comedy.

Trailers & Clips

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