Knights of the City: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|1986 film directed by Dominic Orlando}} |
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{{Multiple issues|cleanup=July 2011|unreferenced=July 2011| |
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{{all plot|date=July 2011}} |
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| name = Knights of the City |
| name = Knights of the City |
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| image = |
| image = |
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| image_size = |
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| caption = |
| caption = |
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| director = Dominic Orlando |
| director = Dominic Orlando |
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| producer = [[Michael Franzese]]<br>Jerry Zimmerman<br> |
| writer = [[Leon Isaac Kennedy]] |
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| producer = [[Michael Franzese]]<br />Jerry Zimmerman<br />Leon Isaac Kennedy<br />[[John C. Strong III]] |
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| starring = Leon Isaac Kennedy<br />[[Nicholas Campbell]]<br />[[John Mengatti]]<br />[[Janine Turner]]<br />[[Stoney Jackson]] |
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| narrator = |
| narrator = |
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| starring = [[Leon Isaac Kennedy]]<br> [[Nicholas Campbell]]<br> [[John Mengatti]] <br> [[Janine Turner]]<br>Stoney Jackson |
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| cinematography = [[Rolf Kestermann]] |
| cinematography = [[Rolf Kestermann]] |
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| editing = [[Nicholas C. Smith]]<br>[[John A. O'Connor]] |
| editing = [[Nicholas C. Smith]]<br />[[John A. O'Connor]] |
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| distributor = [[New World Pictures]] |
| distributor = [[New World Pictures]] |
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| released = |
| released = {{Film date|1986|02|14}} |
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| runtime = 87 |
| runtime = 87 minutes |
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| country = |
| country = United States |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| budget = |
| budget = |
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| gross = $601,451<ref> |
| gross = $601,451<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2170324481/|title=Knights of the City|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref> |
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| preceded_by = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Knights of the City''''' (originally Cry of the City) is a 1986 action adventure film starring [[Leon Isaac Kennedy]], [[Nicholas Campbell]], [[John Mengatti]] and [[Janine Turner]]. It was directed by |
'''''Knights of the City''''' (originally '''''Cry of the City''''') is a 1986 action adventure film starring [[Leon Isaac Kennedy]], [[Nicholas Campbell]], [[John Mengatti]] and [[Janine Turner]]. It was directed by Dominic Orlando and written by Leon Isaac Kennedy. Mobster [[Michael Franzese]] was a producer on the film. |
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==Plot== |
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The Royals are a multi-ethnic street gang led by Troy (Leon Isaac Kennedy). Troy is aware that a life on the mean streets can only lead to a dead end. Therefore, he has been trying through his own determination and musical ambitions to motivate the band towards a serious goal as professional performers. However within the gang there are those, specifically Joey ([[Nicholas Campbell]]), who wish to derail Troy's plan, claiming that their performing is distracting them from their business in the streets. |
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Meanwhile, McGruder (Floyd Levine), a corrupt police officer, is making life even harder for the Royals, as are the Mechanics, a rival gang trying to take over the Royals' territory. The Mechanics have been selling bad drugs and are also trying to extort protection money from merchants in the Royals neighborhood. A violent face-off between the two gangs results in only the Royals being jailed as it is discovered McGruder is being paid off by the Mechanics. In jail, the Royals use their time to rehearse their songs. |
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A drunken inmate, Mr. Delamo ([[Michael Ansara]]), is impressed and offers his assistance, telling them that he owns Twilight Records. Dubious but curious, the Royals visit Delamo upon release from jail only to be rebuffed by his yuppie assistant and daughter, Brooke ([[Janine Turner]]). The Royals leave behind a recording of their music and storm out of the office. |
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==Synopsis== |
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The Royals like their tough Miami neighborhood are multi-ethnic street gang led by Troy ([[Leon Isaac Kennedy]]). Troy is aware that a life on the mean streets can only lead to a dead end. Therefore he has been trying through his own determination and musical ambitions, to motivate the band towards a serious goal as professional performers. However within the gang there are those specifically Joey ([[Nicholas Campbell]]), who wish to derail Troy's plan, claiming that their performing is distracting them from their business in the streets. Meanwhile, McGruder ([[Floyd Levine]]), a corrupt police officer is making life even harder for the Royals, as are the Mechanics, a rival gang trying to take over the Royals' territory. The Mechanics have been selling bad drugs and are also trying to extort protection money from merchants in the Royals neighborhood. A violent face-off between the two gangs results in only the Royals being jailed as it is discovered McGruder is being paid off by the Mechanics. In jail, the Royals use their time to rehearse their songs. A drunken inmate, Mr. Delamo ([[Michael Ansara]]), is impressed and offers his assistance, telling them that he owns Twilight Records. Dubious but curious, the Royals visit Delamo upon release from jail only to be rebuffed by his yuppie assistant and daughter, Brooke ([[Janine Turner]]). The Royals leave behind a recording of their music and storm out of the office. After listening to the cassette, Brooke decides to bring the band to her father's attention.He agrees with her that they are talented, but unpolished. Unable to locate the Royals, Brooke gets the idea to stage a talent contest for local performers, claiming that there must be other talented bands out there as well. Again her father agrees -- but for another reason -- the contest will impress local politicians and the stockholders by the nature of its benevolence and the anticipated effect it will have on neighborhood morale. |
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After listening to the cassette, Brooke decides to bring the band to her father's attention. He agrees with her that they are talented, but unpolished. Unable to locate the Royals, Brooke gets the idea to stage a talent contest for local performers, claiming that there must be other talented bands out there as well. Again her father agrees - but for another reason - the contest will impress local politicians and the stockholders by the nature of its benevolence and the anticipated effect it will have on neighborhood morale. |
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| ⚫ | He further stipulates that any contestants that get into trouble with police will be disqualified. Therefore, the mayor's office officially supports the contest as well. The contest galvanizes the community, thus reducing street violence and crime. The Royals concentrate on their music and less on the street, Delamo's profile in the community is boosted, and Troy and Brooke begin to fall in love. |
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| ⚫ | The Mechanics, in the meantime, gear up to take over business in the Royals' neighborhood. Troy restrains the Royals from retaliating as he fears trouble will exclude them from the contest. |
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| ⚫ | The Mechanics, in the meantime, gear up to take over business in the Royals' neighborhood. Troy restrains the Royals from retaliating as he fears trouble will exclude them from the contest. Delamo also threatens Troy that a continued liaison with his daughter will result in serious problems for Troy. To prove his point, Delamo calls on his well-positioned contacts to exert pressure on Troy. |
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| ⚫ | Troy, however, will do nothing to risk disqualification. He is convinced the Royals will win the contest. Even when Brooke decides not to see Troy until after the contest, he contains his anger and focuses all his |
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| ⚫ | Troy, however, will do nothing to risk disqualification. He is convinced the Royals will win the contest. Even when Brooke decides not to see Troy until after the contest, he contains his anger and focuses all his energy into his music. It pays off, as the Royals do indeed win the contest, and the grand prize of a recording contract. Victors, the Royals' jubilation is cut short when the Mechanics savagely kill one of the Royal's girlfriends. Free to react, the Royals enter into battle with the Mechanics, ultimately vanquishing them. Their dignity preserved and their future brighter, the Royals look ahead to a new life in their city. |
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Originally, the film was to be called Cry of the City as it was being filmed in the Spring of 1984. It was produced by a now ex-mob boss [[Michael Franzese]], who was dubbed by [[Tom Brokaw]] as "The Prince of the Mafia" and made more money for [[organized crime]] than anyone since [[Al Capone]]. The film was held back for over a year before its release as Knights of the City in 1986 by [[New World Pictures]]. |
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== Production == |
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Music in the film includes tracks from [[The Fat Boys]], [[Kurtis Blow]], [[Shannon (singer)|Shannon]], [[Harry Wayne Casey]] and Miami singer [[Michael Sterling (entertainer)|Michael Sterling]].The contest hosts are [[Jeff Kutash]] and [[Smokey Robinson]] |
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The film was originally going to be called ''Cry of the City'' as it was being filmed in the Spring of 1984. It was produced by a now-ex-mob captain, [[Michael Franzese]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/22/nyregion/franzese-enters-a-plea-of-guilty-to-racketeering.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524192418/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/22/nyregion/franzese-enters-a-plea-of-guilty-to-racketeering.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2015|title=FRANZESE ENTERS A PLEA OF GUILTY TO RACKETEERING|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 22, 1986}}</ref> It was filmed in various locations in [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Dade]] and [[Broward County, Florida|Broward]] counties including [[Miami]], [[Ft. Lauderdale]] and [[Hollywood, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-05-24-9202100205-story.html|title=MEMORIES OF THE MOB, INSIDE AND OUT|website=Sun-sentinel.com|date=May 24, 1992}}</ref> The film was held back for over a year before its release as ''Knights of the City'' in 1986 by [[New World Pictures]]. |
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[[Shannon (American singer)|Shannon]]'s "[[Let the Music Play (song)|Let the Music Play]]" is played during the opening scene. Additional soundtrack songs include music from [[Kurtis Blow]], [[The Fat Boys]], and [[Harry Wayne Casey]], all of whom also appear as themselves in the film. The contest hosts are [[Jeff Kutash]] and [[Smokey Robinson]]. |
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During June 2010 [[Lakeshore Entertainment]] successors-in-interest to [[New World Pictures]] sold out their rights in the film to [[Bryanston Distributing Company]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{IMDb title|id=0091351|title=Knights of the City}} |
*{{IMDb title|id=0091351|title=Knights of the City}} |
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*{{Rotten Tomatoes|knights_of_the_city}} |
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[[Category:1986 films]] |
[[Category:1986 films]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1986 action films]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1980s hip hop films]] |
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[[Category:New World Pictures films]] |
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[[Category:American action adventure films]] |
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[[Category:1980s English-language films]] |
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[[Category:1980s American films]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:42, 25 July 2024
| Knights of the City | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Dominic Orlando |
| Written by | Leon Isaac Kennedy |
| Produced by | Michael Franzese Jerry Zimmerman Leon Isaac Kennedy John C. Strong III |
| Starring | Leon Isaac Kennedy Nicholas Campbell John Mengatti Janine Turner Stoney Jackson |
| Cinematography | Rolf Kestermann |
| Edited by | Nicholas C. Smith John A. O'Connor |
| Music by | Misha Segal |
| Distributed by | New World Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $601,451[1] |
Knights of the City (originally Cry of the City) is a 1986 action adventure film starring Leon Isaac Kennedy, Nicholas Campbell, John Mengatti and Janine Turner. It was directed by Dominic Orlando and written by Leon Isaac Kennedy. Mobster Michael Franzese was a producer on the film.
Plot
[edit]The Royals are a multi-ethnic street gang led by Troy (Leon Isaac Kennedy). Troy is aware that a life on the mean streets can only lead to a dead end. Therefore, he has been trying through his own determination and musical ambitions to motivate the band towards a serious goal as professional performers. However within the gang there are those, specifically Joey (Nicholas Campbell), who wish to derail Troy's plan, claiming that their performing is distracting them from their business in the streets.
Meanwhile, McGruder (Floyd Levine), a corrupt police officer, is making life even harder for the Royals, as are the Mechanics, a rival gang trying to take over the Royals' territory. The Mechanics have been selling bad drugs and are also trying to extort protection money from merchants in the Royals neighborhood. A violent face-off between the two gangs results in only the Royals being jailed as it is discovered McGruder is being paid off by the Mechanics. In jail, the Royals use their time to rehearse their songs.
A drunken inmate, Mr. Delamo (Michael Ansara), is impressed and offers his assistance, telling them that he owns Twilight Records. Dubious but curious, the Royals visit Delamo upon release from jail only to be rebuffed by his yuppie assistant and daughter, Brooke (Janine Turner). The Royals leave behind a recording of their music and storm out of the office.
After listening to the cassette, Brooke decides to bring the band to her father's attention. He agrees with her that they are talented, but unpolished. Unable to locate the Royals, Brooke gets the idea to stage a talent contest for local performers, claiming that there must be other talented bands out there as well. Again her father agrees - but for another reason - the contest will impress local politicians and the stockholders by the nature of its benevolence and the anticipated effect it will have on neighborhood morale.
He further stipulates that any contestants that get into trouble with police will be disqualified. Therefore, the mayor's office officially supports the contest as well. The contest galvanizes the community, thus reducing street violence and crime. The Royals concentrate on their music and less on the street, Delamo's profile in the community is boosted, and Troy and Brooke begin to fall in love.
The Mechanics, in the meantime, gear up to take over business in the Royals' neighborhood. Troy restrains the Royals from retaliating as he fears trouble will exclude them from the contest. Delamo also threatens Troy that a continued liaison with his daughter will result in serious problems for Troy. To prove his point, Delamo calls on his well-positioned contacts to exert pressure on Troy.
Troy, however, will do nothing to risk disqualification. He is convinced the Royals will win the contest. Even when Brooke decides not to see Troy until after the contest, he contains his anger and focuses all his energy into his music. It pays off, as the Royals do indeed win the contest, and the grand prize of a recording contract. Victors, the Royals' jubilation is cut short when the Mechanics savagely kill one of the Royal's girlfriends. Free to react, the Royals enter into battle with the Mechanics, ultimately vanquishing them. Their dignity preserved and their future brighter, the Royals look ahead to a new life in their city.
Production
[edit]The film was originally going to be called Cry of the City as it was being filmed in the Spring of 1984. It was produced by a now-ex-mob captain, Michael Franzese.[2] It was filmed in various locations in Dade and Broward counties including Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood, Florida.[3] The film was held back for over a year before its release as Knights of the City in 1986 by New World Pictures.
Shannon's "Let the Music Play" is played during the opening scene. Additional soundtrack songs include music from Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys, and Harry Wayne Casey, all of whom also appear as themselves in the film. The contest hosts are Jeff Kutash and Smokey Robinson.
References
[edit]- ^ "Knights of the City". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "FRANZESE ENTERS A PLEA OF GUILTY TO RACKETEERING". The New York Times. March 22, 1986. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015.
- ^ "MEMORIES OF THE MOB, INSIDE AND OUT". Sun-sentinel.com. May 24, 1992.