| ....Style-b Cinema |
Blaxploitation... Can you dig?
One of the best things about 70s cinema is the
emphasis on quirky characterizations.
Unlike today's films which are driven by quick cutting,
complex soundfields and CGI...
The best 70s films are loaded with great dialogue
and unforgettable characters. Films of this era also
tend to rebel against the system in spectacular fashion.
And when in the mood for 70s cinema....
I've got just four words words for you.
Blaxploitation... Can you dig?
Rather than discuss these films
by focusing strictly on the careers of genre
superstars Pam Grier and Fred Williamson,
I thought it might be interesting to
celebrate a unique frame-of-reference.
Often the most memorable thing about a film
they appear in, yet seldom showing up on a
movie-poster or LaserDisc/DVD jacket...
The character actor.
One of my all-time favorites being Antonio Fargas.
Antonio... This one's for you brother.
emphasis on quirky characterizations.
Unlike today's films which are driven by quick cutting,
complex soundfields and CGI...
The best 70s films are loaded with great dialogue
and unforgettable characters. Films of this era also
tend to rebel against the system in spectacular fashion.
And when in the mood for 70s cinema....
I've got just four words words for you.
Blaxploitation... Can you dig?
Rather than discuss these films
by focusing strictly on the careers of genre
superstars Pam Grier and Fred Williamson,
I thought it might be interesting to
celebrate a unique frame-of-reference.
Often the most memorable thing about a film
they appear in, yet seldom showing up on a
movie-poster or LaserDisc/DVD jacket...
The character actor.
One of my all-time favorites being Antonio Fargas.
Antonio... This one's for you brother.
Antonio Fargas
Shaft (1971) Not that jive remake from (2000)
starring Samuel L. Jackson... "I'm talkin bout Shaft"
Often wrongly credited as the first blaxploitation film...
MGM had already discovered that black-themed films
could crossover into mainstream theatres one year
earlier with Cotton Comes To Harlem (1970)
Cotton's popularity probably encouraged Melvin Van Peebles
to produce Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)
Van Peeble's film grossed over $4 million dollars in
primarily black-community theaters.
Sweet Sweetback could have been the big-bang that ignited
the blaxploitation craze. It's success certainly played a
major role. However, the MPAA slapped Sweetback
with the dreaded 'X' rating.
As Van Peebles cleverly exploited on the movie poster...
"Rated 'X' by an all white jury"
starring Samuel L. Jackson... "I'm talkin bout Shaft"
Often wrongly credited as the first blaxploitation film...
MGM had already discovered that black-themed films
could crossover into mainstream theatres one year
earlier with Cotton Comes To Harlem (1970)
Cotton's popularity probably encouraged Melvin Van Peebles
to produce Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)
Van Peeble's film grossed over $4 million dollars in
primarily black-community theaters.
Sweet Sweetback could have been the big-bang that ignited
the blaxploitation craze. It's success certainly played a
major role. However, the MPAA slapped Sweetback
with the dreaded 'X' rating.
As Van Peebles cleverly exploited on the movie poster...
"Rated 'X' by an all white jury"
MGM, already having enjoyed excellent returns on
Cotton ComesTo Harlem must have noticed Sweetback's... sweet gross.
Their reaction? The $7 million dollar blockbuster that crossed-over
and spoke to mainstream audiences. The big-bang that had it all...
Richard Roundtree stars as Shaft (1971)
"the black private dick that's a sex-machine for all the chicks..."
Isaac Hayes Oscar winning 'Theme From Shaft' is a standout in a genre
that consistently featured great music.
Cotton ComesTo Harlem must have noticed Sweetback's... sweet gross.
Their reaction? The $7 million dollar blockbuster that crossed-over
and spoke to mainstream audiences. The big-bang that had it all...
Richard Roundtree stars as Shaft (1971)
"the black private dick that's a sex-machine for all the chicks..."
Isaac Hayes Oscar winning 'Theme From Shaft' is a standout in a genre
that consistently featured great music.
Shaft is a private detective who is hired by Bumpy, a Harlem drug kingpin,
to find his daughter who has been kidnapped by the mafia.
Antonio Fargas' character (Bunky) ends up providing Shaft with a vital
piece of information that helps him locate Bumpy's daughter.
Fargas' scene was brief, but very memorable.
An interesting aspect of this film is the unusually cordial relationship
between black Shaft and Vick, a white police detective.
In a key scene Vick says... "You aren't so black". Shaft then laughs, saying...
"Well you aint so white either Vick". In MGM's brand of blaxploitation,
Shaft and Vic could interact with mutual respect, even friendship.
However, true to it's blaxploitation roots, in the end,
Shaft joins forces with the Black Panthers to form an army of brothers
in this blaxploitation classic.
to find his daughter who has been kidnapped by the mafia.
Antonio Fargas' character (Bunky) ends up providing Shaft with a vital
piece of information that helps him locate Bumpy's daughter.
Fargas' scene was brief, but very memorable.
An interesting aspect of this film is the unusually cordial relationship
between black Shaft and Vick, a white police detective.
In a key scene Vick says... "You aren't so black". Shaft then laughs, saying...
"Well you aint so white either Vick". In MGM's brand of blaxploitation,
Shaft and Vic could interact with mutual respect, even friendship.
However, true to it's blaxploitation roots, in the end,
Shaft joins forces with the Black Panthers to form an army of brothers
in this blaxploitation classic.
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Not for sale. This e-publication is intended for private home use only. No rights are implied or given. This e-publication may not be reprinted, reproduced, downloaded,
or retransmitted in whole or in part without expressed written permission. All rights are reserved. The opinions expressed in this e-publication are not necessarily those of
Style-b Cinema, or the editor. Many of the characters described and/or featured in this e-publication are fictitious and similarity to any real person or entity whether living or
dead is entirely coincidental. 2011
or retransmitted in whole or in part without expressed written permission. All rights are reserved. The opinions expressed in this e-publication are not necessarily those of
Style-b Cinema, or the editor. Many of the characters described and/or featured in this e-publication are fictitious and similarity to any real person or entity whether living or
dead is entirely coincidental. 2011
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