Don't Play Us Cheap (1973): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1973, Don't Play Us Cheap is a comedy, romance and music film directed by Melvin Van Peebles, running about 95 minutes.

What it’s about. The comedic tale of two minions of the devil who crash a Harlem party thrown by Miss Maybell with high hopes of destroying its festive atmosphere. The first of the imps to arrive, Trinity, loses sight of his mission and consequently falls in love with Miss Maybell's impressionable young niece Earnestine. Trinity is later joined by Brother Dave, his older, more jaded partner. But as Dave pulls out all the stops to dampen the mood, he serves only to enhance the partygoers' good spirits.

Who’s in it. Don't Play Us Cheap stars Esther Rolle as Miss Maybell, Avon Long as Brother Dave, Mabel King as House Guest at the Party and Rhetta Hughes as Earnestine, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Don't Play Us Cheap has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Don't Play Us Cheap page.

If you liked it. Fans of Don't Play Us Cheap tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.