King of New York (1990)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Abel Ferrara

Writer (WGA):

Nicholas St. John (written by)

Release Date:

28 September 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Not everyone who runs a city is elected.

Plot:

A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood.

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Drug Lord | Hospital | New York | Chinatown

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Christopher Walken	...	Frank White
David Caruso	...	Dennis Gilley
Laurence Fishburne	...	Jimmy Jump (as Larry Fishburne)
Victor Argo	...	Roy Bishop
Wesley Snipes	...	Thomas Flanigan
Janet Julian	...	Jennifer
Joey Chin	...	Larry Wong
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Lance
Paul Calderon	...	Joey Dalesio
Steve Buscemi	...	Test Tube
Theresa Randle	...	Raye
Leonard L. Thomas	...	Blood (as Leonard Lee Thomas)
Roger Guenveur Smith	...	Tanner (as Roger Smith)
Carrie Nygren	...	Melanie
Ernest Abuba	...	King Tito
Frank Adonis	...	Paul Calgari
Vanessa Angel	...	British Female
Frank Aquilino	...	Card Player (as Butchie Aquilino)
David Batiste	...	Waiter - Chicken Hut
Michael Battin	...	Taxi Driver
Frankie Cee	...	Johnny Chick
Lia Chang	...	Gangmember (as Kim Lia Chang)
Endira	...	Flanigan's Child
Erica Gimpel	...	Dr. Shute
Frank Gio	...	Arty Clay
Jack Goode Jr.	...	Palladium Patron
Lance Guecia	...	Musta
Michael Guess	...	Carter
Freddy Howard	...	Emilio El Zapo
Nancy Hunter	...	Millie
Jay Julien	...	Abraham Cott
Susannah Julien	...	Palladium Patron
Robert LaSardo	...	Italian Guard (as Robert Lasardo)
Phoebe Legere	...	Bordello Woman
James Lorinz	...	Tip Connoly
Gary Landon Mills	...	Chilly
Gerard Murphy	...	Mulligan (as Gerald Murphy)
Anthony Padilla	...	Flanigan's Child
Harold Perrineau	...	Thug Leader
George Lawrence Perry	...	Cop
Marty Pesci	...	Palladium Patron
Peter Richardson	...	Emperor Jones
Alonna Shaw	...	Kathleen Mulligan (as Lonnie Shaw)
Wendell Sweda	...	Man at Breakfast Table
Freddie Jackson	...	Himself
Ariane	...	Ariane
Pete Hamill	...	Pete Hamill
Sari Chang	...	Reporter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George G. Colucci	...	Theatre Goer (uncredited)
Joe Delia	...	Harlem Ballroom Band member (uncredited)
Tony Garnier	...	Harlem Ballroom Band member (uncredited)
Laszlo Klima	...	Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Carlos Lauchu	...	Undercover Cop (uncredited)
Mark Monto	...	Cop (uncredited)
Phil Neilson	...	NYPD Detective (uncredited)
Lucille M. Oliver	...	Subway Hostage (uncredited)
Anthony Redman	...	Harlem Ballroom Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
John Reidy	...	Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Matthew Shields	...	Boyfriend at Club (uncredited)
Abe Speller	...	Harlem Ballroom Band Member (uncredited)
Timothy Stickney	...	Cop (uncredited)

Directed by
Abel Ferrara

Writing credits (WGA)
Nicholas St. John		(written by)

Produced by
Augusto Caminito	....	producer
Jay Julien	....	executive producer
Mary Kane	....	producer
Randy Sabusawa	....	associate producer
Vittorio Squillante	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Joe Delia

Cinematography by
Bojan Bazelli		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Anthony Redman

Casting by
Randy Sabusawa

Production Design by
Alex Tavoularis

Art Direction by
Stephanie Ziemer

Set Decoration by
Sonja Roth

Costume Design by
Carol Ramsey

Makeup Department
Ron Abrams	....	key hair stylist
Carla White	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Mary Kane	....	production manager
Diana Phillips	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gerald Cuesta	....	second second assistant director
Robert Huberman	....	dga trainee (as Bob Huberman)
Phil Neilson	....	second unit director
Drew Ann Rosenberg	....	second assistant director (as Drew Rosenberg)
David Sardi	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Jacqueline Arnot	....	set dresser
Bruce Bullock	....	property production assistant
Tim Eaton	....	set dresser
Peter Gelfman	....	property master
Matt Golden	....	storyboard artist
Charles M. Lagola	....	assistant production designer (as Charles Lagola)
Nicholas H. Parker	....	set dresser (as Nicholas Parker)
Victor J. Zolfo	....	assistant property master (as Victor Zolfo)

Sound Department
Elisha Birnbaum	....	foley artist
Osa Elmfors	....	sound production assistant
Eugene Gearty	....	digital sound effects
Raymond Karpicki	....	dialogue editor (as Ray Karpicki)
Drew Kunin	....	sound mixer
George A. Lara	....	foley mixer
Eileen Nelson	....	assistant sound editor
David Platt	....	boom operator
Greg Sheldon	....	supervising sound editor
Michael Shore	....	assistant sound editor
Paul P. Soucek	....	sound effects editor
Mel Zelniker	....	sound re-recording engineer

Special Effects by
Dan McMahon	....	special effects assistant
Jeff Naparstek	....	assistant special effects coordinator
Matt Vogel	....	special effects coordinator

Stunts
Bill Anagnos	....	stunts
Peter Bucossi	....	stunts
Carl Ciarfalio	....	stunts
Daniel Dod	....	stunts
Andy Duppin	....	stunts
Roy Farfel	....	stunts
Frank Ferrara	....	stunts
Jeffrey Lee Gibson	....	stunts (as Jeff Gibson)
Roy E. Harrison	....	stunts (as Roy Eugene Harrison)
Jim Lovelett	....	stunts
Gino Lucci	....	stunts
Chuck Margiotta	....	stunts
Felix Mauras	....	stunts
Cynthia Neilson	....	stunts
Phil Neilson	....	stunt coordinator
Hugh Aodh O'Brien	....	stunts (as Hugh A. O'Brien)
Sean O'Neill	....	stunts
Mick O'Rourke	....	stunts
Sandy Richman	....	stunts
Michael Russo	....	stunts (as Mike Russo)
Columbo Saggese	....	stunts
Manny Siverio	....	stunts
Alex Stevens	....	stunts
Jeff Ward	....	stunts
Joel David Webster	....	stunts (as Joel David Webster Jr.)

Camera and Electrical Department
Peter Betulia	....	third grip
Ed Cosgrove	....	second assistant camera
Michael Gallart	....	electrician (as Mike Gallart)
Jonathan Herron	....	first assistant camera
Henry Lynk	....	additional camera operator
John Paul McIntyre	....	dolly grip (as Jack McIntyre)
Anthony G. Nakonechnyj	....	gaffer (as Tony Nakonechnyj)
David Noble	....	best boy grip
Phil Oetiker	....	additional first assistant camera
John O'Malley	....	electrician
Greg Rosinsky	....	best boy
Steve Sands	....	still photographer
Rob Southworth	....	camera intern
Eric Swanek	....	first assistant camera
Bryan Unger	....	key grip (as Brian Unger)

Casting Department
Meredith Jacobson	....	extras casting
Deborah Krainin	....	extras casting assistant
Julie Alter	....	casting consultant: Los Angeles (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Emelle Holmes	....	costumer
Barbara Palmer	....	wardrobe supervisor
Varcra Russal	....	associate costume designer
Alexis Scott	....	second wardrobe
Mary Sheldon	....	costume technician
Marcia Whitney	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Christopher Andrews	....	editor: video (as Chris Andrews)
Quincy Z. Gunderson	....	apprentice editor (as Quincy Gunderson)
Mayin Lo	....	assistant editor
David Pultz	....	color timer
Zeborah Tidwell	....	apprentice editor

Music Department
Christopher Andrews	....	music editor (as Chris Andrews)
Richie Boisits	....	music recording engineer
Ernie Buonocore	....	assistant music recording engineer
Greg Curry	....	music recording engineer
David Keyes	....	musician
Brian Koonin	....	musician
Mark 'Love Man' Pender	....	musician (as Mark Pender)
Billy Roues	....	musician
Jerry Vivino	....	musician
Max Weinberg	....	musician
Peter Yellen	....	musician
Ernie Savage	....	music mixer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Thomas H. Beattie	....	driver (as Tom Beattie)
Pat King	....	driver
Gene Kirley	....	driver
Robert Lapine	....	driver
Jimmy Nugent	....	driver (as James Nugent)
Hugh Rawson	....	picture car coordinator
Kevin R. Wood	....	driver (as Kevin Wood)

Other crew
Christopher Andrews	....	creative consultant (as Chris Andrews)
Deborah Bacquel	....	production auditor
Michael Battin	....	parking coordinator
Fausto Capozzi	....	representative: Scena (as Fausto Cappozi)
Lynn Goldman	....	assistant auditor
Scott Hamilton	....	press publicist
Lys Hopper	....	assistant production coordinator (as Lysbeth A. Hopper)
Scott Hornbacher	....	assistant location manager
Tony Kono	....	production assistant
Lisa Krueger	....	script supervisor
John Landt	....	production assistant
Chong Lee	....	craft service
John Paul McIntyre	....	creative consultant (as John P. McIntyre)
Regina McLeod	....	production assistant
Corinna Ott	....	location assistant
Kia B. Puriefoy	....	production assistant (as Kia Puriefoy)
Thomas Reilly	....	teamster captain (as Tom Reilly)
Susan Rosenberg	....	production coordinator
Susan Rossi	....	production assistant
Albert G. Ruben	....	insurance
Jeannette Scheibe	....	production assistant (as Jeanette Scheibe)
K.C. Schulberg	....	location supervisor
Susan Sloan	....	on-set nurse
Lise Wald	....	production assistant
David Yashiv	....	production assistant
Joseph Zizzo	....	production assistant (as Joe Zizzo)

Production Companies

• Caminito
• Rank Organisation, The
• Reteitalia
• Scena International

Distributors

• Artisan Entertainment (DVD)
• Carlton (DVD)
• Cinépix Film Properties (CFP) (1990) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Emerald (2008) (Argentina) (DVD) (re-release)
• Image Entertainment (laserdisc)
• Live Video (laserdisc)
• Look Filmes (Brazil) (video)
• Maple Pictures (2007) (Canada) (DVD)
• Premiere Home Video (1991) (Australia) (VHS)
• Seven Arts Entertainment
• Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
• VPS Film-Entertainment GmbH
• Versus Entertainment (2005-2006) (Spain) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Completion Bond Company  completion bond (as The Completion Bond Company)
• M/S Billings Publicity Ltd.  publicity (as M.S. Billings)
• N&D Film and Video  negative cutting (as N&D Films)
• Optical House, The  titles
• Sound One Corporation  sound re-recorded at

Also Known As:

El rey de Nueva York (Spain) [es]
King of New York - König zwischen Tag und Nacht (West Germany) [de]
Król Nowego Yorku (Poland) [pl]
Kralj Njujorka (Serbia) [sr]
Le roi de New York (France) (TV title) [fr]
New Yorkin kuningas (Finland) [fi]
O Rei de Nova Iorque (Portugal) [pt]
O Rei de Nova York (Brazil) [pt]
The King of New York (France) [fr]
To afentiko tis Neas Yorkis (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

Italy | USA | UK

Language:

Spanish | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 (original rating) | Iceland:16 | Sweden:15 (TV rating) | Argentina:16 | South Korea:18 | Australia:R | France:-16 | Germany:18 | New Zealand:R16 (re-rating) (2004) | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R (re-rating on appeal) | USA:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Caminito

Trivia:

The the first cut of the film originally ran for almost two hours and had to be edited down to 106 minutes to avoid an X rating.

Goofs:

Continuity: In movie theater, the movie on screen is Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922), but the scenes are not in the correct order.

Quotes:

Frank White: I'm not your problem. I'm a business man.

Movie Connections:

Featured in A Short Film About the Long Career of Abel Ferrara (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Dream On

Style Over Substance

This is a strange movie. The IMDb trivia notes for the movie state that the director and writer spent five years working on the script, yet the story is disjointed and doesn't have a strong plot. The story basically follows the life of drug kingpin Frank White (Christopher Walken) after he is released from prison and re-enters the criminal world to reclaim his drug empire. However, there's not much character development and many of the characters are one dimensional. And the movie could be called over-stylized.

Yet, somehow it all works and this movie, while not a classic, could be considered a cult classic for its great cinematography, superb acting performances, tense action sequences, its cinematic risk taking and its outright coolness. For a movie shot in the late 80's (released in 1990) its ahead of its time.

Christopher Walken gives a great performance as Frank White. Many viewers who may only know Walken from his more recent appearances as "the weird but cool guy" will be surprised by the multifaceted performance he gives here. The late Victor Argo's performance as White's nemesis on the police force, Roy Bishop, should also be noted. Argo gives a note perfect, yet nuanced portrayal, of a weary, "seen it all" cop who is determined to get his man.

Wesley Snipes and Laurence Fishburne were still early in their film careers while appearing in this movie, but you can clearly see the qualities that would make them stars. Both bring depth and realism to their otherwise stock characters. David Caruso also does a great job with his character. One of the shortcomings of the movie is that there's no strong female lead... Frank White has a relationship with one of his attorney's, Jennifer (Janet Julian), but the script leaves out a lot of details (e.g., why they are together in the first place). In fact, all the women in this movie look like models which only adds to the stylized unreality the movie creates.

Finally, I have to mention the oldschool rap soundtrack which fits the proceedings to a "t".

If you are a fan of crime/action movies, "King of New York" comes recommended, but fair warning, its not your typical gangsta flick.