Before the legend, there was this. Raw, unpolished Pryor catching fire in real time.
Richard Pryor: Live & Smokin' is the first stand-up act of Richard Pryor to be filmed out of the four that were released in total. This film was filmed in 1971 but not released until 1985, on VHS. This was the first stand-up act that Pryor did before he hit the mainstream audience. With only 48 minutes of footage, it is the shortest of Pryor's stand-up routines.
Acting
Pryor's physicality already electric, years before peak form.
Direction
Minimalist capture lets the performance breathe, no frills needed.
Director
Michael Blum
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
US
