Melinda (1972)

A slick, smooth-talking, womanizing young black DJ falls hard for an enigmatic woman he's just met. Things take a turn for the worse, though, when she is found dead in his apartment. It ... See full summary »

Director:

Hugh A. Robertson

Writers:

Lonne Elder III (screenplay), Raymond Cistheri (story)

Stars:

Calvin Lockhart, Rosalind Cash, Vonetta McGee

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Calvin Lockhart	...	Frankie J. Parker
Rosalind Cash	...	Terry Davis
Vonetta McGee	...	Melinda
Paul Stevens	...	Mitch
Rockne Tarkington	...	Tank
Ross Hagen	...	Gregg Van
Renny Roker	...	Dennis Smith
Judyann Elder	...	Gloria
Jim Kelly	...	Charles Atkins
Jan Tice	...	Marcia
Lonne Elder III	...	Lt. Daniels (as Lonne Elder)
Ed Cambridge	...	Detective (as Edmund Cambridge)
George Fisher	...	Young Man
Joe Hooker	...	Rome's Servant
Allen Pinson	...	Rome

Storyline

A slick, smooth-talking, womanizing young black DJ falls hard for an enigmatic woman he's just met. Things take a turn for the worse, though, when she is found dead in his apartment. It turns out that she was killed by the local mob, which is trying to frame him for the crime. With the police after him, he calls on some of his old acquaintances to help clear his name and avenge the woman's death.

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Plot Keywords:

avenge | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | framed for murder | los angeles california | murder | 

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Taglines:

YOUR kind of black film

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1973 (Japan)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Love Is"
Sung by Jerry Butler

User Reviews

Just too Sweeet!

This is one in a long line of blaxploitation films made during the 70's that were designed as money making vehicles. Most of them are simply terrible, but Melinda is actually a cool one.

Its basically a revenge tale, but it is chock full of melodrama and excitement. The story is an overdone one, but the films' cheapness actually benefits it. The settings seem authentic and the movie actually manages to capture some street life in it.

Admittedly, the acting is not excellent, but somehow the film manages to be entertaining in a "ghetto" way. Don't go out of your way to see it, though.