Coming to America (1988)

My Review

Eddie Murphy thought up the story of an African prince “Coming to America” to look for a bride in this romantic comedy from Paramount Pictures and Eddie Murphy Productions. It was the third highest grossing film of 1988, having more comedy than romance, and was filmed in New York City and Los Angeles.

Director John Landis (“Twilight Zone: The Movie” 1983) and screenwriters David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein were spot-on in putting together this memorable film, with a supporting cast that included Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair, Sheri Headley, Louis Anderson, Jake Steinfeld, Samuel L. Jackson. There were also cameo appearances by Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, toward the end of both men’s careers. They reprised their roles from Landis’ and Murphy’s 1983 movie “Trading Places.”