Denzel tells how Frank Lucas became, 'American Gangster'

HollywoodPost.com/
Denzel Washington Interview
The Return of Superfly
Frank Lucas, once the city's biggest, baddest heroin kingpin the original O.G. in chinchilla, now seems like just a very likable guy. But don't be fooled.
* By Mark Jacobson
* Published Aug 14, 2000
During the early seventies, when for a sable-coat-wearing, Superfly-strutting instant of urban time he was perhaps the biggest heroin dealer in Harlem, Frank Lucas would sit at the corner of 116th Street and Eighth Avenue in a beat-up Chevrolet he called Nellybelle. Then living in a suite at the Regency Hotel with 100 custom-made, multi-hued suits in the closet, Lucas owned several cars. He had a Rolls, a Mercedes, a Corvette Sting Ray, and a 427 muscle job he'd once topped out at 160 mph near Exit 16E of the Jersey Turnpike, scaring himself so silly that he gave the car to his brother's wife just to get it out of his sight.
But for "spying," Nellybelle was best.
"Who'd think I'd be in a shit $300 car like that?" asks Lucas, who claims he'd clear up to $1 million a day selling dope on 116th Street.
"One-sixteenth Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue was mine. I bought it. I ran it. I owned it," Lucas says. "When something is yours, you've got to be Johnny-on-the-spot, ready to take it to the top. So I'd sit in Nellybelle by the Roman Garden Bar, cap pulled down, with a fake beard, dark glasses, long wig . . . I'd be up beside people dealing my stuff, and no one knew who I was . . ."
It was a matter of control, and trust. As the leader of the heroin-dealing ring called the Country Boys, Lucas, older brother to Ezell, Vernon Lee, John Paul, Larry, and Leevan Lucas, was known for restricting his operation to blood relatives and others from his rural North Carolina area hometown. This was because, Lucas says, in his down-home creak of a voice, "a country boy, he ain't hip . . . he's not used to big cars, fancy ladies, and diamond rings. He'll be loyal to you. A country boy, you can give him any amount of money. His wife and kids might be hungry, and he'll never touch your stuff until he checks with you. City boys ain't like that. A city boy will take your last dime, look you in the face, and swear he ain't got it . . . You don't want a city boy -- the sonofabitch is just no good."
Back in the early seventies, there were many "brands" of dope in Harlem. Tru Blu, Mean Machine, Could Be Fatal, Dick Down, Boody, Cooley High, Capone, Ding Dong, Fuck Me, Fuck You, Nice, Nice to Be Nice, Oh -- Can't Get Enough of That Funky Stuff, Tragic Magic, Gerber, The Judge, 32, 32-20, O.D., Correct, Official Correct, Past Due, Payback, Revenge, Green Tape, Red Tape, Rush, Swear to God, PraisePraisePraise, KillKillKill, Killer 1, Killer 2, KKK, Good Pussy, Taster's Choice, Harlem Hijack, Joint, Insured for Life, and Insured for Death were only a few of the brand names rubber-stamped onto cellophane bags. But none sold like Frank Lucas's Blue Magic.
"That's because with Blue Magic, you could get 10 percent purity," Lucas asserts. "Any other, if you got 5 percent, you were doing good. We put it out there at four in the afternoon, when the cops changed shifts. That gave you a couple of hours before those lazy bastards got down there. My buyers, though, you could set your watch by them. By four o'clock, we had enough niggers in the street to make a Tarzan movie. They had to reroute the bus on Eighth Avenue. Call the Transit Department if it's not so. By nine o'clock, I ain't got a fucking gram. Everything is gone. Sold . . . and I got myself a million dollars.
"I'd sit there in Nellybelle and watch the money roll in," says Frank Lucas of those near-forgotten days when Abe Beame lay his pint-size head upon the pillow at Gracie Mansion. "And no one even knew it was me. I was a shadow. A ghost . . . what we call down home a haint . . . That was me, the Haint of Harlem." A BlackTree Media Production Thank you for watching! Blacktree is at all the hottest events on the planet (award shows, movie premieres and press junkets, fashion shows, etc.) and now BLACKTREE ON TV brings stars to YOU on Soul of the South! Watch Full episodes below, and tune in!
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[@detoxi2k12]

If Denzel ever said "my man" to me, I would cry manly tears of joy

[@khanyisazondani7819]

🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣🤣🤣😂 My Man

[@moritztabor1678]

Same

[@michaelchau7817]

I think he changed that phrase to my man from training day, because in training day he always says my n**** and I think he wanted to be a more positive role model for his community.

[@detoxi2k12]

@Jake Harmon You're a nobody, reacting like that to a random joke. If anyone here is a loser, it's you buddy :) You didn't get enough hugs from your parents, or do you have another reason for becoming such a miserable sack of shit?

[@javiialvarez9242]

🤣💯

[@slightlybrnt]

" My man " loved that lil' one liner. Also, have you ever noticed in every Denzel movie, he always said " I guarantee ".

[@EhCanadianGamer]

When you hear him say that. You earned his respect.

[@saesariolisenty6123]

Eh, Canadian Gamer ma maaan.... my *****

[@WarrenFahyAuthor]

Everybody says it now, to your bud, when it's real. "My man."

[@Dre973Andre]

@@EhCanadianGamer no when you hear him say that, its over for your extiensce

[@adrianvoinea1937]

He also says "That's right" equally as much. He uses "that's right" in different situations, romantic, dramatic, etc. Try searching "denzel my man" it's a compilation of him saying that throughout different movies

[@Sjonnone]

Best actor in the world

[@jedselhyman8170]

For life💯💯

[@RigginTheRod010]

@The Meticulous Gentleman who?

[@nobad6134]

The Meticulous Gentleman Denzel has much more range. Did Shakespeare stuff, gangster stuff, political stuff, popcorn action stuff. Nothing phases Denzel.

[@garybush5471]

Ever!!

[@jordandunn7938]

@@RigginTheRod010 You obviously don't watch much cinema if you don't know him.

[@Zeus0886]

Denzel made Frank look smoother than he really was

[@anthonyrobinson6166]

The man made "one million" dollars a day. He was a very smooth criminal. Could it possibly be that playing him made Denzel look even smoother 🤔

[@lemaitrethemonk]

I can listen to this man speak about anything, at anytime, for any reason and enjoy myself. This is a human that I would invite to my dinner table with my family and that speaks volumes...

[@o.portista]

A legend of an actor, and a legend of a film. Honestly, such a powerful movie, that does not get its full credit it deserves, and the fact that its based on a real true story makes it even greater.

[@Lalaxbo]

Denzel Washington did an amazing performance in American Gangster :). He is simply a brilliant actor :)

[@djdewoe2]

''i think about them, as much as they ever thought about me'' best line ever

[@anatoli6564]

"No body owns me tho"

[@giogiustolisi8646]

I'm Italian Guy and I watch a lot of movies about Mafia and this movie is one of the best... I think better than old classic Scarface..... Really Compliments to Denzel Washington and Russel Crow

[@sosapeoples1526]

Gio Giustolisi fuck Is Wrong Witchu G

[@RigginTheRod010]

@@sosapeoples1526 he's right

[@24KinfO]

Gio Giustolisi kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHTYeHWMa81qjJo

[@EhCanadianGamer]

The movie is a modern day classic. Well then again it's hard to believe this came out 12 years ago. Still, by FAR the best gangster film to come out in recent years.

[@VickStarkiller]

DW is the best actor ever. What was the last bad film he was in? All of em are great!

[@madaraquoi]

My man !

[@ARed0cean]

Best Actor period in my book.

[@mannym777]

And my book too

[@simonmarshall19]

Denzel really killed the role as Frank Lucas . I love this film

[@rhaenyralikesyoutube6289]

What's interesting about the Vietnam trip Frank went on is that he literally had to survive on dog or whatever else the locals could get for him, and suffered terrible malaria from the trip.

[@anthonyrobinson6166]

Is this information in his book?

[@EmeraldJade66]

Denzel Washington is a force of nature!

[@KingNez89]

idgaf about the story being true it was a dope ass movie

[@AnnaLVajda]

Not just a movie though a portrayal of real lives and incidents which makes it more interesting than just scarface or something imo.

[@cooperativ]

this is such a powerful movie. Every single thing from the soundtracks to the picture and to the actors is just perfect. Brilliant mood, fucking amazing and inspiring in a good way. They nailed every detail to perfection. The plot is just not that importatant when you've got such a great job from pure professionals: from the writers to the decoration construction workers.

[@Deriv44]

man you got to be one hell of a gansta to have denzel play you in a movie

[@petracarmon5982]

denzel... love you...

[@nunosoares2329]

Denzel and Russell. Brilliant actors, American Gangster brilliant movie, AND Ridley Scott brilliant director :-)

[@Daedy]

He had me at "My Man".

[@bulletmagnum7419]

Denzel is The best of allllllllll Time

[@24KinfO]

Bullet Magnum kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHTYeHWMa81qjJo

[@benitahecker4221]

I love when he says "my man". ... and you are what you are ...and no one owns me though....

[@Lord2wiceAsReal]

Sidney Poiter & Denzel Washington are the G.O.A.T.S of black male actors to ever do it in my opinion

[@tornadosteve1]

guys was brillaint to think of that in the 70s

[@maverick6775]

after 12 years, you still there Willis?

[@maverick6775]

@Diablo Montana lol

[@carlosgsoria]

Back then: my man Now: my nigga One of the best movies ever made. Right beside scarface and the godfather trilogy

[@nathanzillmer6589]

Lol scar face is dogshit

[@ryant1993]

My favourite actor by far

[@papilo2]

4:12 if this is not gangsta i don't know what is

[@sshaloxx]

Yeah and his walk is one of the reason why he is so epic

[@hottnicklez5450]

He can tell me whatever he wants and i would belive it , thats how good of an actor he is

[@drueleopard7737]

Denzel best actor in my eyes 👀...My 1&only FAVORITE actor...🏆🥇

[@956bonkersh3]

GROWING UP WATCHING DENZEL WASHINGTON I FINALLY UNDERSTAND OF HIS FILMS

[@georgenarushvili9433]

HE IS A REAL CAPRICORN. I LOVE HIS CHARACTER. DENZEL IS A BEST.

[@13CHILDOFTHESUN]

george narushvili earth signs are the best cap Taurus and Virgo ima Virgo #earthsigns

[@edocredo]

george narushvili козеры сильный знак

[@georgenarushvili9433]

@@edocredo Я сам тоже козерог ;)

[@georgenarushvili9433]

@@13CHILDOFTHESUN i'm a capricorn ;)

[@judithmoore912]

WHOOOA, I luv me some Denzel...playing Frank Lucas

[@stgeorge4559]

I love this movie

[@Urbalkent]

Thanks Denzel not only for American Gangster but for each and every one of your movies from way back when u first started even tho I wasnt born yet. U are my favorite actor of all time. 1)Denzel Washington 2)Sammuel L. Jackson 3)Wesley Snipes 4)Omar Epps

[@tghetto5]

i never stoped using it

[@Khanna16]

Denzel Washington my all time fav

[@delrey874]

This was a good film. Denzel's acting is always great.

[@dibosh80]

denzel washingtons walk is what defines his character

[@bayluv]

Denzel is one of the best actors of our time! he can play anymore and jus kills that role!

[@kelvinmwape9239]

Denzel Washington creative way of acting is dangerous. This movie inspires me to be smart and up my game

[@wiley12aka]

MY MAN MY MAN I LOVE THE WAY HE SSAYS THAT , SOUL BROTHERS DENZEL MY MAN LOL

[@terminatortscc1]

That's real business right there!

[@mafb023]

very well said,

[@65silverado55]

Rip a legend 💔🙏

[@fipsexp]

love this movie especially cause its from a true story...

[@Miami_Vicee]

Denzel washington! Just the name is cool! he is one of the best actors there is.

[@mr-sam-jax]

Best movie of Denzel Washington ! My most favorite Actor ❤

[@tapsilogkid8624]

Awesome movie!! -- in 2020

[@IAm-NotHear]

walked from Thailand to Vietnam....Just jumped over Burma...or Lao's?

[@marilynmanord1790]

My favorite actor....Denzel Washington is the man!

[@badboyz22907]

great actor can play any role from doctor to soldier to crooked cop and so on and so on still making great movies even now with 2guns

[@tonymiller2306]

that movie was the shit yall sleeping

[@MITCHEL747]

Denzel is the best !!!

[@ChrisJohnson-hk6es]

Denzel is one of my faves. I really noticed him with the movie Glory. If you haven't seen that movie, I highly recommend it.

[@RSDjam17]

i just saw da movie tonight and all i have 2 say is that shyte was crazy. bangin ass movie and denzel did his thang. luv dis actor

[@centrefire00]

The film doens not only glorify drug dealing. It also states this mans triumph and courage to take what he wanted, it show's what kind of person he is... and how far he was willing to go to take what he wanted. I admire this man

[@HelpOthers45]

Admire??? Are you for real.

[@pauloamorim1746]

Denzel always on top what an actor

[@Monaray618]

Denzel Washington Best Actor Ever!!!

[@godsun798]

My man, Uaooo Great Movie based in A real Story. Great Danzel Washington Great actor.

[@carlosblakeos2376]

One the greatest actors evers

[@blacktreemedia]

Watch out video on creates Denzel washington interviews. You’ll love it.

[@EchoBoomer1987]

Really great film!

[@tswagg504]

this was a great movie..I underestimated it.

[@nefthomas3536]

Thanks Mr. Denzel "no denying" Mr.Washington. grease!

[@vakavizzle]

GREAT MOVE, GREAT ACTOR....man danzel's the man!!!

[@liquifex]

Denzel, Pacino, Freeman, DiNero - All Epic.

[@aquarius786]

well said....especially the last point...

[@robinbirrell]

amazing movie, great acting.

[@TheMainMan318]

this movie was great it told you about frank lucas' whole life. even tho it was long it gave lots of info and shows you things you never knew

[@allero]

haha me 2 tried to watch it 4 times finally got through it all and i love it!

[@revlaird6979]

I'm so glad that Denzel Washington was able to play this real-life Hustler of New York rest in peace Frank Lucas regardless of what anybody think about you you done it big you made it to age 88 that's longer than any other true American Gangster has ever lived that's ever been black I say long live the king🔊🐯🐅🦁🦁🐆💎💎💎💍💍💍💎💎📿📿📿📿.✔️✔️✔️✅♍️♍️♍️♊️♊️.

[@Obfuskate7]

Because for some crazy reason, an extremely clean quality bootleg is out on the market right now. Support Denzel and his work, go see this in the movie theatre, folks.

[@aboo00oode992]

amazing movie

[@gallomex13]

Great Movie!

[@blacktreemedia]

(cont..) It is different than music. More people are employed making a movie than an album. So the trickle down effect is serious. I don't buy movie bootlegs, because I understand the effect. Of course I get to see a lot of the movies for free as a member of media, but even the ones I don't, I go to the theater or I buy it on DVD. We HAVE TO SUPPORT our pictures. It is imperative, we should stop the bootlegging.

[@hajrulaswad]

May Man!....great great movie!

[@Je3perscre3pers]

great movie, i grew around that area in NJ &NY in the 90s. that area is a true concrete jungle. but its tought me alot

[@attackonh3]

this guys is good. My Man.

[@shocoice22]

He's so sweet.

[@missshai]

there are several songs in the video... be more specific when you ask a question. The last two that play during the trailer are Across 110th street by Bobby Womack and Heart of the City by Jay Z

[@blacktreemedia]

did not know all of that.

[@oldjaguar]

Mah man.

[@blacktreemedia]

make the movie

[@gleycekellenn.cabreramanza7845]

FRANK LUCAS BONITO,INTELIGENTE,SOFISTICADO,EDUCADO,Filme muito inteligente .

[@jonmurdock]

The laugh at 0:56 is classic considering the subject

[@Beaze17]

"MY MAN" lol ay yall i say we bring my man back thats classic cool right there

[@gatiLLooo]

what song is that one????? i´m looking for the song that is played in the end of THIS video!!! it´s so fucking AMAZING man! please! i need it!!

[@XxowendanxX]

the street signs in harlem in the '60s and '70s were not green with white lettering, they were gold with black lettering

[@miraklet2186]

Magic teacher

[@mindmyown]

my man I stand by that

[@blacktreemedia]

whats the difference?

[@Urbalkent]

O yea, another thing, I'd love to get to meet Denzel Washington before I die. Just to learn from him, and take in all his wisdom n knowledge. So, if u ever see this, I'll be lookin forward to it

[@MonroeJackson]

STILL A GOOD MOVIE...

[@hamidabubakr3632]

My Man!!

[@hotchoccolate23]

well said

[@tamapalagi]

money is not the motivation. you do it because you want to and because you can. it's about power and style. if it was only about money it would get boring and you would get sloppy. the amazing thing is he lived through it all. he was respected and liked enough where nobody took a shot at him.

[@DivaTech]

The point at the end of the day is a great actor shouldnt be afraid to take on any role as long as the story is conveyed. I think Denzel is a great actor and I think he does well with any role that he takes on. There are 2 types of people in this world.. good and bad and I want movies that tell both sides..

[@rockystyle91]

this guy is my hero