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Subject: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 11:08 am
BLAXPLOITATION was a term used to describe the 70's genre of Films featuring Black Actors usually in Urban settings[As the genre's popularity grew in many Films,so did the locales}
A lot of them played in My local Theatres. I saw a lot of them. I loved them.
My Favorites
Abby (1974)
Across 110th Street (1972)-DVD
Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, The (1976)-DVD
Black Belt Jones (1974)
Black Caesar (1973)-DVD
Black Fist (1975)-DVD
Black Gunn (1972)-DVD
Black Samurai (1977)-DVD
Black Shampoo (1976)-DVD
Black Six, The-DVD
Blackenstein (1973)-DVD
Blacula (1972)-DVD
Bucktown (1975)-DVD
Candy Tangerine Man (1975)
Claudine (1974)-DVD
Cleopatra Jones (1973)-DVD
Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975)
Coffy (1973)-DVD
Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972)
Cool Breeze (1972)
Cooley High (1975)-DVD
Cotton Comes To Harlem (1970)-DVD
Death Dimension aka Black Eliminator (1978)-DVD
Dolemite (1975)-DVD
Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde (1976)
Drum (1976)
Foxy Brown (1974)-DVD
Friday Foster (1975)-DVD
Fritz The Cat (1972)-DVD
Get Christie Love (1974)-DVD
Golden Needles (1974)
Heavy Traffic (1973)-DVD
Hell Up in Harlem (1973)-DVD
Hit Man (1972)
Hit! (1973)
Human Tornado (1976)-DVD
J.D.'s Revenge (1976)-DVD
Lady Sings The Blues (1972)-DVD
Let's Do It Again (1975)-DVD
Mack, The (1973)-DVD
Mahogany (1975)-DVD
Man, The (1972)
Mandingo (1975)-DVD
Melinda (1972)
Nine Live Of Fritz The Cat, The (1974)-DVD
Norman...Is That You? (1976)
Scream Blacula Scream (1973)-DVD
Shaft (1971)-DVD
Shaft's Big Score (1972)-DVD
Shaft In Africa (1973)-DVD
Sheba, Baby (1975)-DVD
Slaughter (1972)-DVD
Slaughter's Big Ripoff (1973)-DVD
Sugar Hill (1974)
Super Fly T.N.T. (1973)
Superfly (1972)-DVD
Sweet Sweetback Badasss Song (1971)-DVD
The Take (1974)
T.N.T. Jackson (1975)-DVD
That Man Bolt (1973)-DVD
Thomasine and Bushrod (1974)
Three the Hard Way (1974)
Three Tough Guys (1974)
Trouble Man (1972)-DVD
Truck Turner (1974)-DVD
Uptown Saturday Night (1974)-DVD
Watermelon Man, The (1970)-DVD
Willie Dynamite (1974)-DVD
A lot of these Films {in the un-PC '70's} would never be made today.While I do not condone racial slurs...they are quite plentiful in them.
Many of the Films were accompanied by Soundtracks,featuring the times great entertainers:
Isaac Hayes' Theme from Shaft won the 1971 Academy Award for Best Song. The entire Soundtrack {one of My fav albums of all time!!}by Hayes is phenominal.
A year later Curtis Mayfield soared up the album and singles {Freddie's Dead and Superfly}charts with His Soundtrack to Superfly.
Marvin Gaye {Trouble Man} also enjoyed chart success,as did many others.
I love the theme to Shaft In Africa: Are You Man Enough , performed by The Four Tops.
A lot of the Films are readily available on DVD
Are You a Fan ?
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Capt Quirk on 02/18/09 at 12:34 pm
Watch I'm Gonna Git You Sucka! sometime, it will take you back :)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: snozberries on 02/18/09 at 12:50 pm
looks like you forgot
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Cleopatra Jones was a personal favorite of mine!
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 2:19 pm
When I transferred the list I left out...Quite by accident...
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasss Song
Black Gunn
Thomasine and Bushrod
The Take
Truck Turner
Willie Dynamite
I've corrected the list ;)
all great viewing choices !!
looks like you forgot
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Cleopatra Jones was a personal favorite of mine!
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Frank on 02/18/09 at 2:25 pm
Altho only a part of the movie, might wanna include "Live and let die"
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/18/09 at 2:44 pm
BLAXPLOITATION was a term used to describe the 70's genre of Films featuring Black Actors usually in Urban settingsTruck Turner - Isaac Hayes starring in this one
Live and Let Die - Most don't list this one, but it WAS a Bond film whose plot was exploiting the popularity of black cinema!
Boss ****er - Title alone makes this one difficult to speak of, just another Fred Williamson vehicle though (first movie produced and written by Williamson btw.)
Slaughter - Jim Brown’s entry into the genre, pretty violent, good action film too.
One of the things most people don't understand about blaxsploitation as the look at it today is how it was popular then, with the un "PC" aspect of it now. Which is true, a lot of stereotypical misanthropic & violent stuff it was. But at the time, it was the first instance of black actors being featured on the big screen in mass and in control. This after decades of blackface and Amos & Andy like stereotypes.
But not all of the movies listed are properly categorized as "blaxsploitation".
Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Claudine
Cooly High
Let’s Do It Again
Uptown Saturday Night
Watermelon Man
Just because these films featured black actors, or had an urban setting doesn’t quite make them blaxsplotation. You'll note that with the exception of Cooly High, there is little or no violence, misogyny, pimps or otherwise in them. These are for the most part just films told from a black perspective or point of view (Watermelon Man being from the white point of view). In either case these were not over the top revenge or vengeance flicks of a black man/woman "getting over on the (white) man" or the system.
As an aside, Sidney Pointer, who directed Lets Do It Again, Uptown Saturday Night and Piece of the Action (not listed here), remarked that he & Bill Cosby did those films specifically to counter the blaxsploitation movies that were rampant at the time. Thier films were out and out comedies, no real violence, and no death, just fun. Now would those movies had been made with out the flood of blaxsploitation movies at the time? No, but they are not exploitative films themselves.
Fritz the Cat
Heavy Traffic
Not sure why these are listed, yes I'm a big fan of Bakshi films (and R. Crumb too, though he despises Bakshi's version of Fritz), but they are not blaxsploitation. I will agree that they are a representation of what the experimental atmosphere (X rated cartoons?!?) that was around that gave rise to blaxsploitation and owe a great deal to the urban/black environments they were set in, but blaxsplotation? Nope.
I'm not even going to go into "Coonskin," like it and loathe it too, for obvious reasons...
Sweetbacks Badass Song - Still not sure about that one, blaxploitation yes, but a damn strange, disjointed film. Even if I had to watch it today I'd say WTF? was happening in this flick? ???
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 2:49 pm
I honestly considered it....
The Blaxploitation influence is stamped all over Roger Moore's intro to the James Bond role.
It's funny...I thought more People would question it's place n such a list & You questioned it's omission.
I met Gloria Hendry at a convention & all She had were photos from Live and Let Die.
I asked Her if She had any photos from Black Belt Jones or Hell Up In Harlem She said to My Friend & I "You Boys don't watch those Movies do You?"She pulled photos from Black Belt Jones out of a case....She didn't even charge Us for the photo,took pictures with Us.....She was great !!
Altho only a part of the movie, might wanna include "Live and let die"
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Frank on 02/18/09 at 3:00 pm
I honestly considered it....
The Blaxploitation influence is stamped all over Roger Moore's intro to the James Bond role.
It's funny...I thought more People would question it's place n such a list & You questioned it's omission.
I
Probably because it's a James Bond movie Il imagine most people would think it doesn't belong, but I'm glad you think it does.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 3:03 pm
As much as they belong..I purposely left Boss N####r off the list as well as The Legend of N@@@@r Charley and The Soul of N####r Charley as not to overtly offend anyone.Before starting the thread I consulted a Friend ,who writes on the genre,on the Ralph Bakshi Animated Films.He said given the Urban atmosphere ..He considers them amongst the genre.
You'll notice in a posting I did , before Yours,I added the forgotten Truck Turner. Such an oversight for such a great Film had to be corrected :)
And just an aside I did not list everyone there is...The heading says "My Favorites".
Ah subject I'm quite fond of...
I've been a "fan" since I was a kid and saw these 1st time around in the '70's. (I'm still a member of the "Superfly" The movie group on yahoo till this day...) :D
Missed some essential ones like:
Truck Turner - Isaac Hayes starring in this one
Live and Let Die - Most don't list this one, but it WAS a Bond film whose plot was exploiting the popularity of black cinema!
Boss ****er - Title alone makes this one difficult to speak of, just another Fred Williamson vehicle though (first movie produced and written by Williamson btw.)
Slaughter - Jim Brown’s entry into the genre, pretty violent, good action film too.
One of the things most people don't understand about blaxsploitation as the look at it today is how it was popular then, with the un "PC" aspect of it now. Which is true, a lot of stereotypical misanthropic & violent stuff it was. But at the time, it was the first instance of black actors being featured on the big screen in mass and in control. This after decades of blackface and Amos & Andy like stereotypes.
But not all of the movies listed are properly categorized as "blaxsploitation".
Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Claudine
Cooly High
Let’s Do It Again
Uptown Saturday Night
Watermelon Man
Just because these films featured black actors, or had an urban setting doesn’t quite make them blaxsplotation. You'll note that with the exception of Cooly High, there is little or no violence, misogyny, pimps or otherwise in them. These are for the most part just films told from a black perspective or point of view (Watermelon Man being from the white point of view). In either case these were not over the top revenge or vengeance flicks of a black man/woman "getting over on the (white) man" or the system.
As an aside, Sidney Pointer, who directed Lets Do It Again, Uptown Saturday Night and Piece of the Action (not listed here), remarked that he & Bill Cosby did those films specifically to counter the blaxsploitation movies that were rampant at the time. Thier films were out and out comedies, no real violence, and no death, just fun. Now would those movies had been made with out the flood of blaxsploitation movies at the time? No, but they are not exploitative films themselves.
Fritz the Cat
Heavy Traffic
Not sure why these are listed, yes I'm a big fan of Bakshi films (and R. Crumb too, though he despises Bakshi's version of Fritz), but they are not blaxsploitation. I will agree that they are a representation of what the experimental atmosphere (X rated cartoons?!?) that was around that gave rise to blaxsploitation and owe a great deal to the urban/black environments they were set in, but blaxsplotation? Nope.
I'm not even going to go into "Coonskin," like it and loathe it too, for obvious reasons...
Sweetbacks Badass Song - Still not sure about that one, blaxploitation yes, but a damn strange, disjointed film. Even if I had to watch it today I'd say WTF? was happening in this flick? ???
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 3:06 pm
Oh I do :)
The influence of the popular Films are a presence throughout.
Probably because it's a James Bond movie Il imagine most people would think it doesn't belong, but I'm glad you think it does.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 3:23 pm
While I understand what You're saying....
I've always felt that the Studios marketed such Films in a Blaxploitation manner.
And,Myself,I've never thought that the criteria of Blaxploitation was exclusive to "violence and death"
Believe Me,Gumby,I'm not being argumentative...I'm just stating My view. :)
>>>>>>>>Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Claudine
Cooly High
Let’s Do It Again
Uptown Saturday Night
Watermelon Man
Just because these films featured black actors, or had an urban setting doesn’t quite make them blaxsplotation. You'll note that with the exception of Cooly High, there is little or no violence, misogyny, pimps or otherwise in them. These are for the most part just films told from a black perspective or point of view (Watermelon Man being from the white point of view). In either case these were not over the top revenge or vengeance flicks of a black man/woman "getting over on the (white) man" or the system.
As an aside, Sidney Pointer, who directed Lets Do It Again, Uptown Saturday Night and Piece of the Action (not listed here), remarked that he & Bill Cosby did those films specifically to counter the blaxsploitation movies that were rampant at the time. Thier films were out and out comedies, no real violence, and no death, just fun. Now would those movies had been made with out the flood of blaxsploitation movies at the time? No, but they are not exploitative films themselves.<<<<<<<<
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 3:35 pm
After explainnig why I intentionally left some Films off the list....I realized that C##nskin is just as inflammatory and removed it.....
As much as they belong..I purposely left Boss N####r off the list as well as The Legend of N@@@@r Charley and The Soul of N####r Charley as not to overtly offend anyone.Before starting the thread I consulted a Friend ,who writes on the genre,on the Ralph Bakshi Animated Films.He said given the Urban atmosphere ..He considers them amongst the genre.
You'll notice in a posting I did , before Yours,I added the forgotten Truck Turner. Such an oversight for such a great Film had to be corrected :)
And just an aside I did not list everyone there is...The heading says "My Favorites".
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Badfinger-fan on 02/18/09 at 4:28 pm
Car Wash
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/18/09 at 5:28 pm
While I understand what You're saying....
I've always felt that the Studios marketed such Films in a Blaxploitation manner.
And,Myself,I've never thought that the criteria of Blaxploitation was exclusive to "violence and death"
Believe Me,Gumby,I'm not being argumentative...I'm just stating My view. :)
No worries, just a friendly disscussion, and glad (or worried) to see someone who has as much of an interest in this stuff as I do...
Actually I agree in the inclusion of most of these...in general. The atmosphere of blaxpliotation and the 1970's, of course all of these fit like a jigsaw puzzle, it'd be difficult to have, say a black cinema festival and not have "Claudine" right next to "Coffy". Just for me, blaxploitation, while maybe not exclusive to violence and death, the word itself would almost require or reflect some element of exploitation. I see Claudine, Bingo Long, and Lets Do It Again as just good movies with black actors, that, as stated before, probably wouldn't of been made had it not been for the popularity of blaxploitation movies leading to more black films being made in general.
The term itself probably has many different definitions to different people. Its interesting to note, as you've mentioned that you were lucky enough to meet Gloria Hendry 8) that she, as other actors questioned just what the word "Blaxploitation" really meant and who was being exploited.
IFC had a documentary, Baadasssss Cinema (I'm sure you've seen it) and she along with Fred Wilimason, and others rightly challenged the term, stating the only "victim" was possibly black actors after the height of the genre (i.e. the typecasting of black roles). During the height of the films, the black audiences were happy, the black actors were getting more work than they could handle, so they were happy, & the studios were making money, movies and music that wouldn't been seen or heard before were getting the green light for production, so just who was being exploited? :-\\
As an aside, I'm black, not African American, born in the 60's and grew up in the 70's & early 80's. So I'm fully aware that the titles and subject matter maybe offensive to some, but I think its a shame and a disservice to take out some of these great films just because the n-word is part of the title. You don't have to list the word, but removing the film, or a film as if it didn't exist or didn't have something to add to the genre is not fair to history. I'm mature enough to understand the time and the context of when a piece of art or media was made, and can reflect upon it accordingly, so far I haven't come across anyone on this board that wasn't able to as well. I think we can handle it, don't censor yourself because you'd think we can't.
Some of the best movies, action comedy and otherwise included the n-word. Are we going to remove the albums of Richard Pryor and each other title or song that has the word in it?
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Badfinger-fan on 02/18/09 at 5:33 pm
the mention of Richard pryor reminded me of his film Which Way Is Up?
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/18/09 at 5:44 pm
the mention of Richard pryor reminded me of his film Which Way Is Up?
Hmm, OK, you actually busted part of my previous statements. ;)
THAT movie is rude, crude and beyond the pale, but funny. It could be called exploitative without question. But was made just after the crash of the genre...
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Capt Quirk on 02/18/09 at 6:54 pm
As an aside, I'm black, not African American, born in the 60's and grew up in the 70's & early 80's. So I'm fully aware that the titles and subject matter maybe offensive to some, but I think its a shame and a disservice to take out some of these great films just because the n-word is part of the title.
I personally have a problem with "African American", since most have never even seen Africa, let alone been born there. Now, my wife is a Nurse, and has worked with a couple of folk who were actually born in Africa, and I will say they are "African American". It will often rile several of the other people she worked with who were Black, because one of these African Americans is a much paler shade of white than I am. "He isn't an African American! He's White!", they'll say. Regardless of the color of his skin, he was born there, and now lives here. How can you argue that point? I think the "P.C." movement has really dropped the ball giving everybody a -American title, whether they deserve it or not, and has further pushed the separation between people even more. You are either an American, or not, no hyphen needed.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 7:12 pm
I have a major interest in the Genre...Always have. I've introduced My Daughter's Boyfriend to the Films......
Now, He asks "Can We watch Superfly ?" or,recently......."There are other Shaft Movies?" {He'd seen the Singleton version w/Samuel L.}
I have a CD of a lot of the Trailer & Radio Ads from the Films.He listens to it in the car & says "Do You have that Movie?"
Baadasssss Cinema is an awesome Documentary !! It's must viewing for anyone who's not familiar with the genre.
Well...being somewhat new I didn't want to offend anyone.......
I also,at a Convention,had the honor to meet Rudy Ray Moore.I got to talk to Him,get His autograph on a Dolemite poster.
I felt like I was in the presence of Royalty !!!
glad (or worried) to see someone who has as much of an interest in this stuff as I do...
Its interesting to note, as you've mentioned that you were lucky enough to meet Gloria Hendry 8)
IFC had a documentary, Baadasssss Cinema (I'm sure you've seen it)
I think we can handle it, don't censor yourself because you'd think we can't.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 7:40 pm
The same year as Which Way Is Up , 1977 , He played Wendell Scott in Greased Lightning w/ Pam Grier.(I :-* Pam !!}A subdued performance {especially compared to Which Way}
Hmm, OK, you actually busted part of my previous statements. ;)
THAT movie is rude, crude and beyond the pale, but funny. It could be called exploitative without question. But was made just after the crash of the genre...
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/18/09 at 7:50 pm
I personally have a problem with "African American", since most have never even seen Africa, let alone been born there. Now, my wife is a Nurse, and has worked with a couple of folk who were actually born in Africa, and I will say they are "African American". It will often rile several of the other people she worked with who were Black, because one of these African Americans is a much paler shade of white than I am. "He isn't an African American! He's White!", they'll say. Regardless of the color of his skin, he was born there, and now lives here. How can you argue that point? I think the "P.C." movement has really dropped the ball giving everybody a -American title, whether they deserve it or not, and has further pushed the separation between people even more. You are either an American, or not, no hyphen needed.
I agree, the PC-izing of all manners of people put more of a distance between us.
I purposely made a point of being black, especially at the time of the emergence and popularity of the blaxploitation film, we had just begun to embrace the term "black". It was word of pride, that only 15 years prior to 1972, would've gotten you into a ass-whooping fight if you called another "negro" black.
Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud, Angela Davis-sized afro's, dashikis, being black, black power red, black and green shirts...blaxploitation couldn't of come from any other environment at the time and certainly not if we were "African-American".
Can you imagine "African-Amerixploitaion" films? ::)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/18/09 at 7:55 pm
I have a major interest in the Genre...Always have. I've introduced My Daughter's Boyfriend to the Films......
Now, He asks "Can We watch Superfly ?" or,recently......."There are other Shaft Movies?" {He'd seen the Singleton version w/Samuel L.}
I have a CD of a lot of the Trailer & Radio Ads from the Films.He listens to it in the car & says "Do You have that Movie?"
Baadasssss Cinema is an awesome Documentary !! It's must viewing for anyone who's not familiar with the genre.
Well...being somewhat new I didn't want to offend anyone.......
I also,at a Convention,had the honor to meet Rudy Ray Moore.I got to talk to Him,get His autograph on a Dolemite poster.
I felt like I was in the presence of Royalty !!!
Odd, I never even thought of a Blaxploitation convention, I should check that out sometime...Funny that you mention meeting Dolemite (RIP). My moms sister, my aunt married James Roundtree, distant cousin (like three times removed) of Richard Roundtree. Actually met him once back in NY in '74, don't remember it at all, but the fact that I'm distantly related to "Shaft" still tickles me to no end. ;D
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: coqueta83 on 02/18/09 at 7:58 pm
The only Blaxploitation films I've seen are "Foxy Brown" and "Shaft".
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/18/09 at 8:52 pm
They weren't Blaxploitation Conventions ......the name of the Convention is Chiller Theatre it started out as a Horror convention & turned into a hybrid of Horror and Pop Culture.
The next one is in March.
Here's the guest list so far:
http://www.chillertheatre.com/gt/gtc4.htm
Odd, I never even thought of a Blaxploitation convention, I should check that out sometime...Funny that you mention meeting Dolemite (RIP). My moms sister, my aunt married James Roundtree, distant cousin (like three times removed) of Richard Roundtree. Actually met him once back in NY in '74, don't remember it at all, but the fact that I'm distantly related to "Shaft" still tickles me to no end. ;D
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/19/09 at 5:24 am
They weren't Blaxploitation Conventions ......the name of the Convention is Chiller Theatre it started out as a Horror convention & turned into a hybrid of Horror and Pop Culture.
The next one is in March.
Here's the guest list so far:
http://www.chillertheatre.com/gt/gtc4.htm
OK, I'll have to check it out once it gets to my way on the west coast, NJ is a bit too far for me now...
Following up, Richard Pryor really had some great acting accomplishments in the '70's, Lady Sings the Blues, Greased Lightning and Blue Collar being a few, too bad he's really never gotten his due for great acting skill on screen as he deserves. Most still lump him in as comic stand up at best in his Hollywood outings, eventually he'll be appreciated for what he brought to the stage (Blazing Saddles, Blue Collar, etc) that no one else could've done (or gotten away with) at the time...
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Capt Quirk on 02/19/09 at 5:33 am
When you mentioned Blazing Saddles, I had to scratch my head. I was sure he wasn't in it, so I went to IMDB. I never knew he was a writer too! Wow... I also didn't know he was on Wild, Wild West, The Partridge Family, or Flip Wilson. We'll just try to forget he was in Superman 3 :)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/19/09 at 8:08 pm
I remember Him on Partridge Family.......Lou Gossett Jr. was on that episode.
The Partridges show up for a show & it's a Soul Club.....Good stuff !!!
I found a clip of it on You Tube !!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoMMmpQSFPM
When you mentioned Blazing Saddles, I had to scratch my head. I was sure he wasn't in it, so I went to IMDB. I never knew he was a writer too! Wow... I also didn't know he was on Wild, Wild West, The Partridge Family, or Flip Wilson. We'll just try to forget he was in Superman 3 :)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Capt Quirk on 02/19/09 at 10:41 pm
That would be why I never knew he was on the Partridge Family... I never saw that episode. I must have been watching the Bradys that week.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: MaxwellSmart on 02/19/09 at 10:55 pm
looks like you forgot
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
That's the FIRST title I thought of!
;D
What was the one about PCP?
???
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: snozberries on 02/19/09 at 10:57 pm
That's the FIRST title I thought of!
;D
What was the one about PCP?
???
weren't they all about pcp? ;D
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: MaxwellSmart on 02/19/09 at 11:04 pm
weren't they all about pcp? ;D
PCP was the big scare drug of the '70s. Most of the hysteria was urban myth (ie. it doesn't give the user super-human strength, the guy didn't carve his face off and feed it to his dog...etc. etc.) In reality, it was heroin and cocaine terrorizing the streets back then.
Anyway, I'm off topic.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/19/09 at 11:49 pm
That would be why I never knew he was on the Partridge Family... I never saw that episode. I must have been watching the Bradys that week.
Funny you mentioned that. Thing is, or rumor was, that the TV networks were VERY ready to cash in on the blaxploitation craze.
Remember "Get Christy Love"? Well, ABC wooed and tried to entice Mr. Pryor long and hard (much $$$) to join up for that one, but he had bigger fish to fry.
Also, you'll note that Issac Hayes got along with James Garner well enough that he was featured on a few episodes of the Rockford Files.
As a matter of fact, both Louis Gossett Jr (as Marcus 'Gabby' Hayes) and Isaac Hayes (as Gandolf Finch) teamed up in a few "Rockford" episodes, as a prelude to and the intention being a "black themed" detective spin-off from Rockford that never happened. :D
Its too bad, 'cause if you've ever seen the episodes with them together, it would've been a great comic tinged/detective themed show. They did have some chemistry together. 8)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: MaxwellSmart on 02/19/09 at 11:52 pm
What about Sanford & Son?
???
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 02/20/09 at 12:15 am
What about Sanford & Son?
???
Somewhere in there, some blaxploitation influence. At least the networks had recognized the atmosphere and a growing realization of a large black audience out there with spending $$ by this time.
Thing is, like so many of our popular TV shows, Sanford and Son was a British transplant.
Sanford & Son (Steptoe & Son)
Threes Company (Man About the House)
All in the Family (Till Death Do Us Part)
(even goes on today with "The Office" being a US version of the UK's "Office" and American Idol being just as crappy a show as UK's Pop Idol)
Even though Steptoe & Son was a Brit tele show, it transplanted well to US, and with Redd Foxx, it was more of just a living visualization of his sometimes raunchy on-stage act. Certainly the US version was WAY more popular than the UK version and the popularity of black films and blaxploition didn't hurt at all.
And I totally understand how so many disliked it and thought it racist or stereotypical (some of the syndicated shows have to be cut to be aired nowadays!), but again in that time period, it worked and it was gold. Political Correctness be damned! ;)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Capt Quirk on 02/20/09 at 7:46 am
Funny you mentioned that. Thing is, or rumor was, that the TV networks were VERY ready to cash in on the blaxploitation craze.
Remember "Get Christy Love"? Well, ABC wooed and tried to entice Mr. Pryor long and hard (much $$$) to join up for that one, but he had bigger fish to fry.Never watched it.
Also, you'll note that Issac Hayes got along with James Garner well enough that he was featured on a few episodes of the Rockford Files.
As a matter of fact, both Louis Gossett Jr (as Marcus 'Gabby' Hayes) and Isaac Hayes (as Gandolf Finch) teamed up in a few "Rockford" episodes, as a prelude to and the intention being a "black themed" detective spin-off from Rockford that never happened. :D
Sorry, I liked Garner in Support Your Local Sheriff/Gunfighter, and recently have started watching the old Maverick series, but never got into Rockford. Go figger.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 02/20/09 at 8:39 pm
TV did try their hand at it...In 73 CBS turned Shaft into a TV Series{in a revolving format like NBC's Mystery Movie w/ Columbo , Mc Cloud , McMillan and Wife}.Even with Richard Roundtree reprising His iconic role......The sanitized, watered down "Bad Mother*shut your mouth* Shaft just couldn't cut it.....NBC's Mystery Movie added James MacEachin as Tenafly {sounding surprisingly similar to Superfly....}
.
Funny you mentioned that. Thing is, or rumor was, that the TV networks were VERY ready to cash in on the blaxploitation craze.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 03/01/09 at 5:11 pm
Not feeling too well today,hung around watching Shaft and Shaft's Big Score.
They never get old !!
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Foo Bar on 03/03/09 at 9:12 pm
Watch I'm Gonna Git You Sucka! sometime, it will take you back :)
Aaw hell yeah.
I personally have a problem with "African American", since most have never even seen Africa, let alone been born there. Now, my wife is a Nurse, and has worked with a couple of folk who were actually born in Africa, and I will say they are "African American". It will often rile several of the other people she worked with who were Black, because one of these African Americans is a much paler shade of white than I am. "He isn't an African American! He's White!", they'll say. Regardless of the color of his skin, he was born there, and now lives here. How can you argue that point? I think the "P.C." movement has really dropped the ball giving everybody a -American title, whether they deserve it or not, and has further pushed the separation between people even more. You are either an American, or not, no hyphen needed.
To dig out a joke from the grave of the 2004 election: "Teresa Heinz-Kerry is African-American, but Nelson Mandela is not."
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Capt Quirk on 03/04/09 at 7:39 am
To dig out a joke from the grave of the 2004 election: "Teresa Heinz-Kerry is African-American, but Nelson Mandela is not."
Well, I should hope not... Mandela never lived here!
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: nicole1977 on 03/05/09 at 10:47 pm
I was born in 1977. I wish I was born at least in 1957 because there was a lot of 70s blaxpoitation movies. My dad used to go to everyone of them. Well, the good thing is that the late 80s and 90s seems like a comeback of the blaxpoitation movies because black people were started to make a whooooooole lot of black-only movies again, thanks to Spike Lee, John Singleton, Thr Hudlin Brothers, and the Hughes Brothers.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: midnite on 03/10/09 at 7:42 pm
Disco Godfather. Trailer is probably the best I have ever seen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEUxh5iXeyA
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 03/12/09 at 8:58 pm
I met Rudy Ray Moore , about 8 months before He died.......Sooo glad I go to...
He signed a mini Dolemite poster for Me.
He was awesome........
Disco Godfather. Trailer is probably the best I have ever seen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEUxh5iXeyA
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: gumbypiz on 03/13/09 at 2:20 am
I met Rudy Ray Moore , about 8 months before He died.......Sooo glad I go to...
He signed a mini Dolemite poster for Me.
He was awesome........
You were very lucky to meet him. 8) I always loved his movies, even though they were very un-"PC". I remember having some heated discussions with ex-girlfriends over how demeaning the movies were to women and the general seediness of the films.
I don't really care, the times that Dolemite films were made defined the content, not making excuses for it, and not supporting the mentality, but damn good fun watching it.
Here's a question, do you, or anyone out there, think that a prominent black director, say Spike Lee, John Singleton, Kasi Lemmons or Melvin Van Peebles would be able to make a successful film biography of Rudy Ray Moore? Much in the way that movies like BAADASSSSS! opened the way for re-exploring the genre and the history of it...
I think it would be an excellent project and a great on screen venture...don't want to seem like a marketing lackey, but I feel the audience (ok, people like me and my age) is/are hungry for a history account of some of the background of the personalities of the blaxploitation era. ;)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 03/15/09 at 9:30 am
Hell,I'd see it..............Marketable though.....highly doubtful.....Cadillac Records didn't do well at the Box Office...And, that was excellent !!
You were very lucky to meet him. 8) I always loved his movies, even though they were very un-"PC". I remember having some heated discussions with ex-girlfriends over how demeaning the movies were to women and the general seediness of the films.
I don't really care, the times that Dolemite films were made defined the content, not making excuses for it, and not supporting the mentality, but damn good fun watching it.
Here's a question, do you, or anyone out there, think that a prominent black director, say Spike Lee, John Singleton, Kasi Lemmons or Melvin Van Peebles would be able to make a successful film biography of Rudy Ray Moore? Much in the way that movies like BAADASSSSS! opened the way for re-exploring the genre and the history of it...
I think it would be an excellent project and a great on screen venture...don't want to seem like a marketing lackey, but I feel the audience (ok, people like me and my age) is/are hungry for a history account of some of the background of the personalities of the blaxploitation era. ;)
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: nicole1977 on 03/15/09 at 10:52 pm
I believe that 1977 was the last year of blaxpoitation popularity because disco was hitting mainstream, thanks to Saturday Night Fever.
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: bookmistress4ever on 03/25/09 at 4:30 pm
There is a game based on those films... really tongue-in-cheek...
http://www.wingnutgames.com/solid.htm
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: bookmistress4ever on 03/25/09 at 4:32 pm
There is also an online magazine about this genre (I'm sure there are others, but this is one I found)
http://badazzmofo.com/
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: Michael C. on 03/26/09 at 8:12 pm
One of My top Bookmarks......................Been a David Walker Fan for years !
I used to have a subscription to David's badazzmofo magazine before He went online with it...........
.
There is also an online magazine about this genre (I'm sure there are others, but this is one I found)
http://badazzmofo.com/
Subject: Re: 70's Blaxploitation genre
Written By: ralfy on 03/25/16 at 7:56 am
"Halloween 2015 Countdown: 1976 Blaxplotiation Horror Movie ‘Dr. Black & Mr. Hyde’"
http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/halloween-2015-countdown-1976-blaxplotiation-horror-movie-dr-black-mr-hyde-20151016