BLAXPLOITATION HISTORY MONTH

[RCMerchant]

It's Black History Month in the real world-so I thought I'd start a thread about Blaxploitaion movie where we could list and post our favorites!

One of mine is ABBY (1974)
Carol Speed is the wife of a Preacher Man who becomes possessed by an African demon in this excellent EXORCIST rip-off.
William Marshall of BLACULA fame is his usual commanding presence as the Exorcist.

Lotsa colorful dialouge eg. :

Abby Williams: I have a few special tips for Sue, and I didn't want to pass up this golden opportunity.

Sue: What do you mean, Abby? Tips?

Abby Williams: [demon voice in full force] Like the facts of life, stupid! All men are not created equal; better make sure what he's got first! As a matter of fact, I'm gonna take ol' long George upstairs AND f**k THE s**t OUT OF HIM! THAT's WHAT I'M GONNA DO!

One HELL (hehe!) of a film! I bought a VHS copy from the now defucnt Canadian based Video Vortex in 1994.

Of note: Warner Bros. sued AIP on the basis that ABBY's plot was too close to that of the EXORCIST (it isn't) and as a result the film was pulled soon after it's release. Asshats.

[Allhallowsday]

COFFY (1973) starring PAM GRIER.  I love anything with PAM GRIER.   

[RCMerchant]

COFFY (1973) starring PAM GRIER.  I love anything with PAM GRIER.   

You ain't kidding!

http://youtu.be/yBd_y4V7vtc

[Raffine]

BLACKENSTEIN (1973) is a personal favorite. A disabled vet named Eddie is turned into 'Blackenstein' by Dr. Stein. Blackenstein goes on the rampage to attack topless women. It reaches a climax when Blackenstein meets a pack of Doberman Pinschers.

Features some of the original DRANKENSTEN lab equipment created back in the 30s by Kenneth Strickfaden, a Redd Foxx type comedian, and Liz Renay (former stripper/gang moll who starred in John Waters' DESPERATE LIVING and author of her autobiograhy My Face for the World to See) is one of he victims.

By the 80s this was considered by some to be a joke title for a movie that never really existed, but exists it does.

https://youtu.be/6iHTvbZ85IQ

(I can't remember how to post a proper YOutube link!)

[zombie no.one]

not a subgenre I have delved into much but I do enjoy the Pam Grier ones. Foxy Brown and Coffy are good. Roy Ayers soundtrack to Coffy is one of my top 5 movie soundtracks

quite enjoyed BLACK DYNAMITE, the blaxploitation spoof from a few years ago.

LIVE AND LET DIE (the Bond film) seems influenced by blaxploitation...

[Rev. Powell]

https://youtu.be/6iHTvbZ85IQ

(I can't remember how to post a proper YOutube link!)

I'm sure it's changed since you last logged in. No just drop in the url and remove the "s" in "https":

https://youtu.be/6iHTvbZ85IQ]https://youtu.be/6iHTvbZ85IQ

becomes

http://youtu.be/6iHTvbZ85IQ]https://youtu.be/6iHTvbZ85IQ

For me, I probably have the most sympathy for SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSS SONG, just because I spent the most time with it.

http://youtu.be/0rD1OzJVoWY

It's not really blaxploitation, though, even though it helped kick off the movement. It was a serious attempt at avant-garde black cinema.

For pure fun give me the DOLEMITE series.

[Allhallowsday]

Speaking of PAM GRIER and FOXY BROWN: 

http://youtu.be/GCc99Gh-IEM 

[RCMerchant]

SUGAR HILL (1974)

Sugar Hill (Marki Bey) takes her revenge on scumbag gangster Robert (COUNT YORGA) Quarry for killing her man, with the aid of a voodoo priestess and Ruler of the Kingdom of the Dead Don Pedro Colley and his horde of cob-webbed, glowing eyed zombies.
The zombies are truly scary; a stand-out scene with the dead rising from they're graves.

"I give you your revenge! Put them to evil use! It is all they know-or want!"

http://youtu.be/CoAjesFhKrY

[Raffine]

SUGAR HILL (1974)

Sugar Hill (Marki Bey) takes her revenge on scumbag gangster Robert (COUNT YORGA) Quarry for killing her man, with the aid of a voodoo priestess and Ruler of the Kingdom of the Dead Don Pedro Colley and his horde of cob-webbed, glowing eyed zombies.
The zombies are truly scary; a stand-out scene with the dead rising from they're graves.

"I give you your revenge! Put them to evil use! It is all they know-or want!"

http://youtu.be/CoAjesFhKrY

I remember this one. It had Zara Cully, who played 'Mother Jefferson' in THE JEFFERSONS was in it as a witch,

[Ted C]

What? I am the first to post Blackula?

http://youtu.be/V8Sfrhj5IP4

[RCMerchant]

/quote]

I remember this one. It had Zara Cully, who played 'Mother Jefferson' in THE JEFFERSONS was in it as a witch,

By George (Jefferson!), I've never noticed that!

What? I am the first to post Blackula?

Yup. A true classic of any genre!

[Allhallowsday]

Except without the "k".   

[beat_truck]

I haven't seen many blaxploitation movies, but Blacula and Sugar Hill are very good.

[JaseSF]

http://youtu.be/CrYX7OWZe4g

Three the Hard Way

[quabrot]

I am definitely a fan on the blaxploitation genre.  I love Pam Grier to the point I can probably list her whole filmography off the top of my head.  My favorite is Coffy, by far.  Coffy is a great revenge movie that plays with moral ambiguity.  As she goes takes justice into her own hands, she kind of loses herself even more. 

Blacula is another favorite, and that is all because of William Marshall.  He brings a great combination of camp and gravitas to the role.  He's really a joy to watch in anything, especially Video Pirates from Amazon Women in the Moon.


For now, I'll also recommend Bucktown, starring Pam Grier and Fred Williamson. Fred gets some old buddies to drive the crooked racist cops and politicians out of town, then has to run those old friends out of town when they take over.