And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

Sheba Baby, 1975

I had to kick off Women’s History Month with a flick featuring the most baadassss woman in blaxploitation, Miss Pam Grier.

After starring a series of violent racy films like Coffy and Foxy Brown, Pam Grier returned in this more toned down flick. Grier plays Chicago P.I. Sheba Shayne, who returns to her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky to save her father’s loan business from ruthless gangsters.

Quote of the movie: “I said roll down that window before I blast a hole in your head!” (At 0:50) I love it!

Pop Culture Factor: In Austin Power’s part three (Goldmember), Beyonce, starring as “Foxxy Cleopatra,” spoofed the scene where Pam unzipped her scuba suit, trying to seduce the man on the boat. (At 1:06)

And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

Fred Williamson was one of the major stars of Black action films in the 70s. He was trained as an architect but ended up playing professional football after graduating from Northwestern University. He played in the first Super Bowl for the Kansas City Chiefs.

His first role was Steve Bruce on the late 60s, early 70s sitcom, Julia, which starred Diahann Carroll. He played Carroll’s boyfriend and felt the role was too mild-mannered for him.

“It was a wonderful acting experience,” says Williamson in an interview for What it Is…What it Was, “But it didn’t satisfy me. It wasn’t the way that I perceived myself. I mean, here I am tall, dark, handsome, in shape. Why can’t I be an action hero? Why can’t I be the kind of hero that I saw and admired on screen?”

After his first movie, M*A*S*H, where he played the supporting role of Captain Oliver Harmon Jones, he decided to move forward with the character he envisioned. He formed his own production company, Po’Boy Productions and began selling his vision to Hollywood. The first movie he sold (to Paramount) was The Legend of Nigger Charley.

“[Hollywood] never had a Black cowboy before, not a really standup kind of cowboy: A guy who starts off as a slave, beats up his slave master, escapes from the plantation, goes West, and becomes a gunfighter. This is the kind of character that I perceived myself as playing in Hollywood.”

Williamson called the film “Nigger Charley” because it was controversial, which sells. Because of the incendiary word in the title, aliases included Black Charley and The Legend of Charley when it was talked about in the press.

Williamson went on to star in several cult Black action films including Black Caesar, Hell Up In Harlem, Three the Hard Way, Bucktown, and several more. He’s appeared in over 30 films (some of which he wrote, produced and directed) since he began acting, and is likened to his White counterparts, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and Burt Reynolds.

Facts:
According to IMDB, Williamson turned down a role in I’m Gonna Git You Sucka because he didn’t want to parody the “Cool Action Hero,” an image which he helped to create.

The lead role in Black Caesar was originally offered to Sammy Davis Jr. who turned it down.

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It seems there’s a slight resurgence in the Black male action hero, and rapper Common is poised to take the reigns. He has Smokin’ Aces and Wanted under his belt, but with his role in the forthcoming Terminator, he might solidify his status in Hollywood as the next Black action hero. I’d love to see some if Williamson’s flicks ie, Black Caesar, remade, starring Common.

And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

1987

Hollywood Shuffle is the anti-Blaxploitation film. The Blaxploitation genre had a tremendous impact on culture, but in trying to break stereotypes and diversify the images of Black people in film, the films still were very stereotypical. Hollywood Shuffle is a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood. It’s the story of an actor limited to stereotypical roles (ie pimp, hustler, slave, mandingo, etc) because of his ethnicity, who dreams of making it big as an esteemed actor.

I can’t front, even though Robert Townsend was trying to get a valid point across, the film was still pretty funny. [Insert pimp voice here] I ain’t be gotten no weapons…

Fact: While Robert Townsend was director, he also co-wrote with Keenen Ivory Wayans.

With it being *shudders* Black History Month, Starr takes the time out to dedicate a post to one of the GOATs. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

As influential as Curtis Mayfield still is today, he never enjoyed the same success in the 60s and 70s as his Motown counterparts. Luckily for him, he wasn’t just a singer, but also a an excellent guitarist and songwriter who penned hits for the likes if Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Staple Singers and Aretha Franklin. He had a hand in shaping the sound of three Blaxploitation soundtracks including Superfly, Sparkle, and Claudine.

Two of his most famous hits are “Freddie’s Dead” and “Superfly” from the Superfly soundtrack. En Vogue’s 1992 remake of “Giving Him Something He Can Feel” helped to continue his legacy, as well as the crate digging producers in hip-hop who have sampled his music.

DOWNLOAD: Beastie Boys – Egg Man

DOWNLOAD: Curtis Mayfield – Give Me Your Love

But since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day (if you care), slow it down a bit.

DOWNLOAD: Mary J Blige – I’m The Only Woman

With it being *shudders* Black History Month, Starr takes the time out to dedicate a post to one of the GOATs. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

It’s Black History Month so I decided to be cliche and jump off the icons edition of Blaxploitation Friday. Today’s solute goes to Gordon Parks–photographer, journalist, author, director, visionary.

Gordon Parks was the first African-American to make a studio film in 1969 with The Learning Tree. His contribution to the Blaxploitation genre runs deep as he directed Shaft, one of the first films considered to have set off the era.

1971

He also directed one of the sequels, Shaft’s Big Score! (1972).

Parks made a tremendous impact on hip-hop culture as well. D-Nice and Fab Five Freddy have admittedly been influenced by him, but it was when XXL Magazine tapped him to shoot “A Great Day in Hip-Hop” (September 1998), their tribute to the popular “Great Day in Harlem,” where people realized how important he was.

(click picture for bigger image)

That day was a big deal for the rappers who participated. Some were already familiar with Parks and some got schooled at the photoshoot, but the impact still resonates. If you obtain a copy of the October 2008 XXL Magazine, there’s a tribute piece commemorating the 10-year anniversary of that day. In various interviews I did along with Jack Erwin (with Rakim, Styles P, Sticky Fingaz, Kurupt, Cee-Lo, etc), you can read some of their testimonies where they acknowledge how big it was for them to work with Gordon Parks. Right on, brotha!

Fun Fact: Parks co-founded Essence Magazine

* dies from laughter *

What the hell were we thinking when we came up with this, people? And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

I’m kind of on my lazy game today. I’m still sort of in food coma but it dawned on me that when I did my blaxploitation horror series, I left out one flick that I specifically meant to include. It’s actually one of my favorites (*hides face in shame at B-Movie addiction*).

I don’t care what anybody says, as cheesy as it was, you know you laughed when the “little niglets” attacked that ol’ racist mofo. LOL

If this movie isn’t a certified hood classic, I don’t know what is!

Facts:

This was executive produced by Spike Lee.

Rusty Cundieff co-wrote this flick. He also helped write House Party 2 and appeared in School Daze as well as Chapelle’s Show, among other things.

Darin Scott co-wrote with Cundieff. He’s also a producer for 1993’s Menace II Society and helped write Waist Deep.

*pulls our giant “hood certified stamp”* BONG! (word to RZA)

This is actually one of my favorite ever. I mean, just look at the poster’s tagline and tell me you wasn’t in for some grade-a fuckery. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

Even though the blaxploitation genre was primarily a 70s thing, there were some flicks that slipped through the cracks and made it to the later years. So, in the spirit of all re-makes, I bring you…

That’s right. You may have heard by now, but if not, there is officially going to be a remake of Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon, and Samuel L. Jackson has signed on to play Sho’Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem.

People have been saying that Busta Rhymes should be Sho’Nuff because of the “Dangerous” video but I think Sam Jack is gonna do his thing. I’m not mad.

Now, who’s gonna play Bruce Leroy and Laura Charles?

For Bruce Leroy, I think they should just pick an unknown martial arts master who can kinda sorta act. But because I’m sure they’ll want a big name, I have a hunch that they’re gonna go with Chris Brown.

As far as Laura Charles (Vanity’s character), I think Cassie would work.

Who would you cast?

I somehow forgot to toss this up last night. Oops. Especially when she did something on one of the GOAT of women? Sheeeit. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

And two weeks later, I’m still on my Halloween high. The women from this genre inspired my costume (which I’m still too lazy to post) so I had to bring you another heroine.

1973

Synopsis:

When Nurse Coffin’s (”Coffy”) 11-year old sister becomes a hopeless addict, she takes the law into her own hands…

And we know that the one-woman hit squad ensues.

The music at 0:43 was the theme music. I don’t know what it is about that song, but I really, really like it. Can someone sample it. Pleaaaaaaassseee?

Roy Ayers did the soundtrack, btw. I love his usage of the xylophone (in all his music in general).

Fact: Pam Grier didn’t have as much control over the portrayal her character in this film as she had with following films like Foxy Brown and Friday Foster.

Alongside movies, blaxploitation also hit the television as well. Here is one such breakthrough. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

TV Series (1974-1975)

Get Christie Love was a groundbreaking TV series starring Teresa Graves as a fearless police woman, airing on ABC. It was groundbreaking for obvious reasons. This was the first time an African American woman was the sole star of a TV series and it was the only successful TV series spawned by the blaxploitation genre. Teresa Graves was originally a part of the cast of the comedy sketch series, Laugh-In (pre-SNL) but amid skepticism, made a wonderful transition from comedy to drama. The widely popular, 60 minute show ran for a year. Graves was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best TV Actress in a Drama (1975) and won a TP de Oro (Spain 1977) award for Best Foreign Actress.

I couldn’t find a trailer, but here’s an opening scene from an episode (she makes her intro at 0:42):

Graves was just as influential to the image of the Blaxploitation heroine as Pam Grier. I used one of her outfits for inspiration for my own Halloween costume (but I’m just too lazy to post it right now).

With Halloween about to jump off tonight, Starr dedicates this Blaxploitation to one of the more popular rehases of all time. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

I was doing the “Blaxploitation Horror Edition” until I broke when Rudy Ray Moore aka DOLEMITE passed away. So, since I deviated and it’s Halloween, I’m going to close out the horror series with a double feature (there are more horror blaxploitation flicks but I’m ending the consecutive series).

1972

Synopsis:

Do I really have to go there? LOL. Ok, if I must…Blacula is the story of Mamuwalde, an African Prince who is turned into a vampire by the original Count Dracula while visiting Transylvania, and then locked in a coffin. He is then unwittingly unleashed by two antique collectors who transport the coffin to Los Angeles. Horror ensues as Blacula leaves a trail of blood when he finds Tina, who is his wife, Lyuka, reincarnated, and gains her love. Tina’s friend, Dr. Gordon, discovers what Blacula really is and hunts him down.

Facts:

William Marshall lived in Paris in the 60s and organized a March, along with James Baldwin, to coincide with the 1963 March on Washington (look it up). When he returned to the U.S. he got involved in working to improve roles for Black Actors and Black-themed projects. He worked as a professor of Black film and theater at California State University, Northridge.

Marshall made an immense impact on the writers and producers of Blacula by getting very involved in developing the character, which he originally felt was very cliche, ignorant and stereotypical. Two of the biggest changes he made were suggesting that they not only make the vampire an African prince, but that they changed his name from Andrew Brown to Mumuwalde. He felt that the name “Andy” was too closely related to the Black face, white comedy team of Amos and Andy, and wanted to remove Blacula from that sort of association.

The producers were skeptical at first but he persuaded them to let him sketch out certain scenes.

“I think the producers were quite surprised at how positive the response to the film was,” said Marshall (taken from What it Is…What it Was Hyperion Books)…Not for a moment did they think this was something that would become as meaningful to audiences as it did.”

While Marshall gained his widest recognition for his role as Blacula, he also appeared as Dr. Richard Daystrum on Star Trek (one episode 1968) and as the King of Cartoons on Pee Wee’s Playhouse (1986-1991).

Scream Blacula, Scream

1973

Also starring Pam Grier who “diversified her portfolio” by playing a Voodoo priestess.

Synopsis:

When the Mama Loa of a voodoo cult dies, the popular vote is for Lisa Portier (Pam Grier) to succeed her and cult member Willis, as a result, vows revenge. In an attempt to gain power over his enemies, he acquires the bones of Prince Mamuwalde (Blacula), and resurrects the vampire. Blacula vampirizes Willis and places him under his control.

As vampirism spreads amongst the circle of friends and cult members, Blacula takes an interest in Lisa and believes she can lift the curse upon him by casting a voodoo spell and performing an exorcism. But Lisa’s boyfriend Justin begins to work with the police in order to solve the recent spate of bloodless corpses and disappearing victims, quickly making the connection to Mamuwalde.

Lisa is, at first, sympathetic to Mamuwalde’s situation and agrees to go through with the exorcism (which seemed to be working), but as they are interrupted by Justin and the policemen, an infuriated Blacula goes on a rampage and begins to kill the policemen, eventually threatening Justin. Lisa, horrified, realizes she must stop Blacula but the film ends ambiguously as Lisa seizes the Blacula voodoo doll, originally created for their exorcism, and plunges a wooden arrow into its heart while Blacula screams in agony.

The Blacula series is among the better blaxploitation horror movies, like Abby. Check out William Marshall’s involvement in “The Black Exorcist” HERE.