The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973): Cast & Plot
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is a 1973 crime drama directed by Ivan Dixon, starring Lawrence Cook as Dan Freeman, Paul Butler and Paula Kelly. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Ivan Dixon
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Bokari
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Spook Who Sat by the Door About?
The premise of The Spook Who Sat by the Door without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After securing a position within the CIA by presenting himself as the compliant “Uncle Tom” candidate, the protagonist—an educated Black man—receives top‑secret training. He then turns that knowledge against the establishment, orchestrating a radical, militant uprising that seeks to spark a new American Revolution.
The Spook Who Sat by the Door Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- blaxploitation
- militant
- senator
- racism
- vietnam war veteran
- cia central intelligence agency
- black liberation
- black power
- national film registry
- race relations
- chicago illinois
- independent film
+38 more Show fewer
- exploding car
- riot
- cult film
- disguise
- secret agent
- revolution
- revolutionary
- police
- fighting the system
- national guard
- white male pretending to be black
- racial slur
- ethnic slur
- exploding building
- chase
- machine gun
- pistol
- revolver
- shootout
- bank robbery
- sabotage
- bank
- quitting a job
- psychotronic film
- guerrilla
- blowback
- urban warfare
- urban strife
- guerrilla raid
- nonviolent revolution
- liberation movement
- hypocrisy
- direct-action
- political commentary
- 1960s
- exploitation
- economic exploitation
- labor power
The Spook Who Sat by the Door Cast & Characters
Lawrence Cook leads the cast as Dan Freeman, with Paul Butler as Do-Daddy Dean and Paula Kelly as Dahomey Queen. Directed by Ivan Dixon; 23 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ivan Dixon
- Lawrence Cook as Dan Freeman
- Paul Butler as Do-Daddy Dean
- Paula Kelly as Dahomey Queen
- Don Blakely as Stud Davis
Also Starring in The Spook Who Sat by the Door
· 19 more- J.A. Preston Dawson
- Byron Morrow
- Johnny Williams
- Anthony Ray Shorty
- Joseph Mascolo
- Doug Johnson
- Harold Harris
- Stephen Ferry
- David Lemieux Pretty Willie
- Johnnie Johnson III
- Jack Aaron
- Beverly Gill
- Elaine Aiken
- Janet League Joy
- Colostine Boatwright Dancer
- Larry Lawrence
Show all 23 cast members Show fewer cast members
More from Ivan Dixon
One more film directed by Ivan Dixon: Trouble Man.
The Spook Who Sat by the Door Plot Summary
What happens in The Spook Who Sat by the Door from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the early 1970s, the story unfolds against the backdrop of Chicago’s tense political and social climate. A white U.S. Senator facing re-election finds his law-and-order rhetoric taking a hit among African-American voters, prompting a strategic push from his wife who suggests a high-stakes publicity stunt: spotlight the CIA’s lack of Black agents. In response, the CIA quietly opens a recruitment drive aimed at African Americans, but it’s not as simple as it seems. Behind the scenes, the agency takes deliberate steps to derail anyone from completing the training, setting a hidden trap for would‑be operatives.
Full summary
The whole story of The Spook Who Sat by the Door, scene by scene
The Spook Who Sat by the Door Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Spook Who Sat by the Door.
How Well Do You Know The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the film’s main character who becomes the CIA’s first Black operative?
Cars in The Spook Who Sat by the Door
30 cars on screen, including the 1963 GMC TDH 5303 and the 1973 Plymouth Duster.
-
1963 GMC TDH 5303 Important role -
1973 Plymouth Duster Important role -
American LaFrance unknown Minor role -
1963 Buick LeSabre Minor role
The Spook Who Sat by the Door Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Freeman l'agente di Harlem” and “坐在门口的幽灵”.
- Also known as
-
- Freeman l'agente di Harlem
- 坐在门口的幽灵
- Notre agent de Harlem
Seen The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
Movies Like The Spook Who Sat by the Door
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Black Klansman, The Black Gestapo and The Black Connection.
The Spook Who Sat by the Door FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Spook Who Sat by the Door, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was The Spook Who Sat by the Door released?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door was released on September 21, 1973.
Who directed The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door was directed by Ivan Dixon.
More films by Ivan Dixon Who is in the cast of The Spook Who Sat by the Door?
The Spook Who Sat by the Door stars Lawrence Cook as Dan Freeman, Paul Butler as Do-Daddy Dean and Paula Kelly as Dahomey Queen, among 23 credited actors.
Does The Spook Who Sat by the Door have a post-credit scene?
No. The Spook Who Sat by the Door has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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