DVD Review: Blacula (1972) / Scream Blacula Scream (1973)

Many years ago, I saw a TV documentary on blaxploitation that described the Blacula movies (rather aptly) as 'the final nail in the genre's coffin'. Well, over 30 years on since they first shocked and amused audiences, the movies are still as popular as ever - and now back with a bite on DVD.

With a plot even Hammer would be ashamed of, Blacula somehow manages to tie the original Count Dracula to the slave trade. When tribal leader Mamuwalde (William Marshall) goes over to Transylvania with his wife Luva (Vonetta McGee), he falls foul of the Count, finding himself under a vampire curse, confined to a coffin for eternity. Fast forward 200 years and two camp interior designers from L.A. are buying up the castle's fittings for 'kitsch value', unwittingly shipping over Blacula to cause mayhem on US streets.

Indeed, his lust for (mainly) black blood sees a trail of victims including a taxi driver, several policemen, a photographer, a doctor and the two designers, all left in a zombie-like state to clock up their own body count. But there's a couple of twists - Blacula's wife Luva has been re-incarnated in the city as Tina - with Blacula desperate to get her back. And local pathologist Dr. Gordon Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) is on his trail. Can he stop the vampire? Will Tina fall for Blacula's charms? Or will she be his downfall? All will be revealed in an action-packed final few minutes.

Pam Grier Ringer Tee

Fiftyseven-thirtythree is a new silkscreen tee company working out of Oakland California. According to their shop info, they "use images of people who were originals or broke through some pre-existing barrier or stereotype"  for their designs. The beautiful black American actress Pam Grier is definitely a great example of a woman who broke down some pre-existing barriers in Hollywood and you can celebrate her accomplishments with this terrific Pam Grier Ringer Tee designed by Fiftyseven-thirtythree.

The design sells for $25.00 and is available for women and men in various sizes. They ship to anywhere in the world, but you must contact them for a shipping quote if you live outside the U.S.

To see more of Fiftyseven-thirtythree's great designs please visit their official shop at Etsy.

Fiftyseven-thirtythree

- Kimberly Lindbergs

Cult Clip: Wattstax (1973)

I previously mentioned the great musical documentary Wattstax in my review of the new book The Notorious Ph.D.'s Guide to the Super Fly '70s. Wattstax is one the best concert films made in the seventies and if you enjoy good funk and soul music it's a must see movie.

Wattstax was an all-day concert put together in 1972 by the Stax record label. It was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Watts riots and hosted by Reverend Jesse Jackson. Over 100,000 people attended what would later be known as the "Black Woodstock," and they got to enjoy some amazing live performances by artists like The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes and Rufus Thomas.

This terrific clip from Wattstax features The Bar-Kays performing Son of Shaft for an audience of thousands. It's one of my favorite moments from the film. If you'd like to see more of Wattstax it's currently available on a special NTSC Region-1 30th Anniversary Special Edition DVD at Amazon.

- Kimberly Lindbergs

Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide

On May 15th FAB Press will be releasing a new book about blaxploitation films made during the seventies called Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide by Josiah Howard. The book promises to be the first truly comprehensive examination of the genre, its films, its trends and its impact.

Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide will include detailed A-to-Z reviews of more than 240 blaxploitation films made between 1970-1980, as well as interviews with important genre directors such as Jack Hill (Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1973), etc.), Larry Cohen (Bone (1972), Black Caesar (1973), Hell Up in Harlem (1973), etc.), Jamaa Fanaka (Welcome Home Brother Charles (1975), Emma Mae (1976), Penitentiary (1979), etc.) and Arthur Marks (Detroit 9000 (1973), Friday Foster (1975), J.D.'s Revenge (1976), etc.).

The book will also feature reproductions of many colorful movie posters that were used to promote the films, as well as stunning stills and original newspaper ads.

Author Josiah Howard is an avid 1970s pop culture enthusiast and the author of Donna Summer: Her Life and Music. He has also written for Parade magazine, the Village Voice and Motion Picture Review.

Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide will be available from the official FAB Press website when it's released and you can currently pre-order the book from Amazon for $18.96.

For more information please visit Amazon.

Cult Clip: The Hitman (1972)

Strange as it may sound, two years after Get Carter hit the big screen, a blaxploitation version appeared, under the name Hit Man.

And it's a strange one. Hard to tell whether it's a serious remake or a homage to the original, with the plot transferred to the US, along with chunks of the script - but all with big hair, loud fashions and a damn funky soundtrack, Not currently available anywhere on DVD, but a regular on the TNT movie channel if you have that. Enjoy the trailer.