THE MACK (1973) - Excellent blaxploitation film

[The Burgomaster]

I bought this DVD and watched it Friday night.  Being a big fan of blaxploitation flicks, I can't believe that I waited so long to see this one because it's right up there with SHAFT and SUPERFLY as one of the best.

The dialogue is crisp and gritty, the performances by Max Julien, Richard Pryor, Don Gordon, Roger E. Mosley, Carol Speed, and a few others are excellent, the music is wonderful, and the camera work in some scenes is stunning.

The plot involves an ex-convict (Julien) returning to the streets of Oakland where he operates as one of the top pimps.  His brother (Mosley) is a Black Panther-type militant, and his best buddy (Richard Pryor) is friendly, funny, and when necessary, deadly.

There is a great documentary on the DVD that explains how the story was written by an ex-convict and that the technical advisors (and supporting characters) were a group of real pimps who were very well-known and powerful at the time.  The director and producer talk about how they received protection from these real pimps during filming, and how the Black Panthers, who were rivals of the pimps, caused them a lot of trouble.  They also talk about Richard Pryor's huge drug problem and the fact that he was high throughout the entire production, often coming to the set late and creating other disruptions.

This is a VERY cool, "must-see" movie.

[Ash]

Christian Slater has a great quote of The Mack in the film "True Romance".
Drexl points out that on the TV behind Clarence is a "woman with her breasteses hangin' out...You ain't even bothered to look!  You just been clockin' me!"
Then Clarence tells him he's seen it, that it's The Mack and lists off half the cast members.

Great scene!
I'm sure Tarantino wrote that in because of his love for Blaxploitation.

I've never see The Mack.

[RCMerchant]

I love this movie! I'm a big blaxploitation fan myself-and the MACK is number one.
Other greats
Truck Turner
Blacula!
Hell Up in Harlem
Welcome Home Brother Charles (really,REALLY bizzare)
Blackenstien(cheezy!)
ABBY!!!
ALL Pam Griers movies(COFFY is my favorite)

[zombie no.one]

RCMerchant Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> ALL Pam Griers movies(COFFY is my favorite)

awesome soundtrack to that film by Roy Ayres... really worth checking out.

[The Burgomaster]

RCMerchant:

Great list!  I am a big fan of this genre.  Here are the blaxploitation DVDs that I own (so far . . . ):

* SHAFT
* SHAFT'S BIG SCORE!
* SHAFT IN AFRICA
* SUPERFLY
* SLAUGHTER
* SLAUGHTER'S BIG RIP-OFF
* TRUCK TURNER
* COFFY
* FRIDAY FOSTER
* FOXY BROWN
* BUCKTOWN
* BLACK CAESAR
* HELL UP IN HARLEM
* SHEBA, BABY
* BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA
* BLACULA
* SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM
* BLACKENSTEIN
* GANJA AND HESS
* ABBY
* ACROSS 110th STREET
* COTTON COMES TO HARLEM
* THAT MAN BOLT
* BLACK GODFATHER
* THE GUY FROM HARLEM
* TNT JACKSON
* CLEOPATRA JONES
* SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSSS SONG
* BLACK COBRA
* BLACK COBRA 2
* BLACK COBRA 3
* BLACK FIST
* FIGHTING MAD
* BLACK HOOKER
* JIVE TURKEY
* UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
* LET'S DO IT AGAIN
* DOLEMITE
* THE HUMAN TORNADO
* DISCO GODFATHER
* GET CHRISTIE LOVE!
* THE MACK

Whew . . . I think that's all of them.  I can't get enough of these movies . . .

[Scott]

I must say Burgomaster that is an impressive list. These are the only ones from your list that I have viewed.

SUPERFLY
COFFY
FOXY BROWN
BLACULA
SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM
BLACKENSTEIN
TNT JACKSON
DOLEMITE

I own FIGHTING MAD on DVD, but haven't checked it out yet. Don't forget BLACK SAMARAI with Jim Kelly which is a fun film and the good biker film starring former NFL superstars in THE BLACK SIX.

Still haven't seen SHAFT and had an opportunity to pick up all the COBRA films, but missed my chance.

[The Burgomaster]

Scott:

I got the Cobra films as part of the Martial Arts 50 Movie Pack.  I haven't watched any of them yet.

[RCMerchant]

DISCO GODFATHER is an AMAZINGLY stupifying movie! Especially the freak out scences,with the teen seeing skeletons etc...

[Scottie]

I'm a fan of Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil's Son-In-Law where Rudy Ray Moore makes a deal with the devil to increase his life and make him powerful in exchange for he marrying his daughter. The Devil's daughter is a homely beast that Peaty Wheatstraw does not want to marry and spends the whole movie devising ways to get out of marriage, including a plan to kill the devil! The movie wins major points with me because it is so over the top and ridiculous for the entire movie. The movie begins with a woman giving birth to a fully grown adolescent boy (Peaty) with the help of a rabbi during a thunderstorm. She then gives birth to a watermelon. In another part, twenty men dressed in tights, leotards and fangs storm Petey's room and chase him around in a scene, that if sped up, would mimic  those of Benny Hill. In another memorable scene, Petey walks down the street in slow motion while money rains from the sky. It's got to be seen. Andrew has a review of the movie here http://badmovies.org/movies/wheatstraw/index.html
Watch his video clip to see men in leotards and capes and fangs storm a room.

[Yaddo 42]

Burgomaster, since you mentioned "Cotton Comes to Harlem" thought I'd mention the sequel "Come Back, Charleston Blue" which brings back Coffin Ed and Grave Digger, but isn't quite as good, despite the inclusion of a possible supernatural angle, but the film doesn't end so much as just run out. Raymond St. Jacques and Godfrey Combridge still make the film worth a look. I'd like to find the books someday.

I'd also recommend to fans of baxploitation the crime novels and stories of Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines, two men who lived the life and later told often great, gritty stories based on their lives on the streets hustling, dealing, and surviving.

[The Burgomaster]

Yaddo:

I had COME BACK, CHARLESTON BLUE on VHS.  As soon as they release it on DVD, I intend to buy it.