Which Way Is Up?
“Three times the Richard Pryor. Three times the laughs.”
Synopsis
Orange picker Leroy Jones inadvertently becomes a union leader and is forced out of town, leaving behind his sex-obsessed father, Rufus, and timid spouse, Annie Mae. He heads for Los Angeles, where he falls for union organizer Vanetta. Annie Mae seeks solace from local preacher Lenox Thomas, who eventually impregnates her. When Leroy catches wind, he heads home for a showdown with Lenox.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Which Way Is Up? (1977) trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2013-04-27
Top Cast
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Richard Pryor
Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
Lonette McKee
Vanetta
Margaret Avery
Annie Mae
Morgan Woodward
Mr. Mann
Marilyn Coleman
Sister Sarah Thomas
Joe Turkel
Harry Boatwright
Kathy Cronkite
Photographer
Diane Rodriguez
Estrella Reyes
Ernesto Hernández
Jose Reyes
Gloria Edwards
Janelle
Bebe Drake
Thelma
DeWayne Jessie
Sugar
Morgan Roberts
Henry
Dolph Sweet
The Boss
Tim Thomerson
Tour Guide
Daniel Valdez
Chuy Estrada
Luis Valdez
Ramon Juarez
Marc Alaimo
Frankie
Release History & Theatrical Window
November 4, 1977
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$3.2M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
Pending
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Michael Schultz
- Screenplay & Story
- Carl Gottlieb, Cecil Brown
- Original Score
- Paul Riser, Mark Davis
- Original Title
- Which Way Is Up?
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Spanish
- Runtime
- 1h 34m
- Production Budget
- $3.2M
- Production Studios
- Universal Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Michael Schultz
Carl Gottlieb, Cecil Brown, Lina Wertmüller
Paul Riser, Mark Davis
John A. Alonzo
Danford B. Greene
Steve Krantz
Department Leadership Roster
Michael Schultz
Director
Danford B. Greene
Editor
Steve Krantz
Producer
John A. Alonzo
Director of Photography
Carl Gottlieb
Screenplay
Cecil Brown
Screenplay
Paul Riser
Original Music Composer
Mark Davis
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Which Way Is Up?.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Which Way Is Up?.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Which Way Is Up?
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Which Way Is Up? about?
Orange picker Leroy Jones inadvertently becomes a union leader and is forced out of town, leaving behind his sex-obsessed father, Rufus, and timid spouse, Annie Mae. He heads for Los Angeles, where he falls for union organizer Vanetta. Annie Mae seeks solace from local preacher Lenox Thomas, who eventually impregnates her. When Leroy catches wind, he heads home for a showdown with Lenox.
Who directed Which Way Is Up??
Which Way Is Up? was directed by Michael Schultz.
Who stars in Which Way Is Up??
The principal cast of Which Way Is Up? includes Richard Pryor, Lonette McKee, Margaret Avery, Morgan Woodward, Marilyn Coleman.
When was Which Way Is Up? released and how long is it?
Which Way Is Up? was released in 1977 with a total runtime of 1h 34m.
Who composed the musical score for Which Way Is Up??
The original motion picture soundtrack for Which Way Is Up? was composed by Paul Riser, Mark Davis.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Which Way Is Up??
Which Way Is Up? holds official age classifications: GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).