Con artistry meets racial tension in 1970s Philadelphia's mean streets.
TRICK BABY
Sometimes even the players get played.
A relationship between two Philly con men, Johnny "Folks" O'Brien, a white man, and "Blue" Howard, a black man. From an early age, Blue raised Folks as his own son and treated him as if he was black. However, Blue passed on more than his heritage when he taught him the ways of the street and the art of the con. The two con men try to evade gangsters they have conned and cops who are trying to put them in jail.
Sometimes the best grifts are the ones nobody sees coming—especially when Philly is your playground.
Trick Baby slides you into the gritty underbelly of Philly with a duo that knows every angle of the con, especially when race is part of the hustle. Mel Stewart and Kiel Martin play off each other as mentor and protégé, navigating a world where passing isn't just skin deep—it's the whole game. This is blaxploitation with brains, streetwise banter, and plenty of double-crosses.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Trick Baby is a 1972 American action, crime, and drama film directed by Larry Yust about two Philadelphia con men—one black, one light-skinned and able to pass as white—who exploit racial dynamics to pull off elaborate scams while evading both gangsters and police.
Synopsis
Why Cult
The film's central scheme leverages White Folks’ mixed-race heritage and ability to pass as white, making for cons that cut to the heart of social tensions.
Blue and White Folks’ relationship offers a rare look at surrogate fatherhood and street mentorship within the blaxploitation genre.
Set against the urban backdrop of 1970s Philadelphia, this entry leans into the era’s gritty cityscape and social commentary.
With both gangsters and cops in pursuit, every con has high stakes and real consequences for our slippery leads.
Themes & Keywords
Trailer
Questions from the Vault
What is Trick Baby about? +
Trick Baby follows two Philadelphia con men—one black, one light-skinned and able to pass as white—as they use racial dynamics to execute elaborate scams while dodging gangsters and police.
When was Trick Baby released? +
Trick Baby was released in 1972.
Who directed Trick Baby? +
Trick Baby was directed by Larry Yust.
How long is Trick Baby? +
Trick Baby has a runtime of 89 minutes.
What genre is Trick Baby? +
Trick Baby is an action, crime, and drama film.
Where can I watch Trick Baby? +
Trick Baby is available to stream on SassyFlix.
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