The Spook Who Sat by the Door
“Their first mistake was letting him in. Their biggest mistake was letting him out!”
Synopsis
A black man plays Uncle Tom in order to gain access to CIA training, then uses that knowledge to plot a new American Revolution.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
AFS Presents: THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOROfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-05-14
Top Cast
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Lawrence Cook
Dan Freeman
Janet League
Joy
Paula Kelly
Dahomey Queen
J.A. Preston
Dawson
Paul Butler
Do-Daddy Dean
Don Blakely
Stud Davis
David Lemieux
Pretty Willie
Anthony Ray
Shorty
Colostine Boatwright
Dancer
Byron Morrow
Jack Aaron
Joseph Mascolo
Elaine Aiken
Beverly Gill
Martin Golar
Tom Alderman
Stephen Ferry
Johnny Williams
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 21, 1973
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ivan Dixon
- Screenplay & Story
- Melvin Clay, Sam Greenlee
- Original Score
- Herbie Hancock
- Original Title
- The Spook Who Sat by the Door
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 42m
- Production Studios
- Bokari
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ivan Dixon
Melvin Clay, Sam Greenlee
Herbie Hancock
Michel Hugo
Michael Kahn, Thomas Penick
Sam Greenlee, Ivan Dixon
Department Leadership Roster
Ivan Dixon
Director
Melvin Clay
Screenplay
Sam Greenlee
Screenplay
Sam Greenlee
Producer
Herbie Hancock
Original Music Composer
Michel Hugo
Director of Photography
Michael Kahn
Editor
Ivan Dixon
Producer
Thomas Penick
Editor
Charlie Picerni
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Spook Who Sat by the Door.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Spook Who Sat by the Door.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Spook Who Sat by the Door
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Spook Who Sat by the Door about?
A black man plays Uncle Tom in order to gain access to CIA training, then uses that knowledge to plot a new American Revolution.
Who directed The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door was directed by Ivan Dixon.
Who stars in The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
The principal cast of The Spook Who Sat by the Door includes Lawrence Cook, Janet League, Paula Kelly, J.A. Preston, Paul Butler.
When was The Spook Who Sat by the Door released and how long is it?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door was released in 1973 with a total runtime of 1h 42m.
Who composed the musical score for The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Spook Who Sat by the Door was composed by Herbie Hancock.
Is The Spook Who Sat by the Door based on a book or true story?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Sam Greenlee".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door holds official age classifications: US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).