The Black Godfather (1974)

J.J., a rising star in the black crime scene, is in the process of consolidating his power over the neighborhood. One of the only remaining obstacles is the white heroin cartel that is ... See full summary »

Director:

John Evans

Writer:

John Evans

Stars:

Rod Perry, Damu King, Don Chastain

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rod Perry	...	J. J.
Damu King	...	Diablo
Don Chastain	...	Tony Burton
Diane Sommerfield	...	Yvonne
Jimmy Witherspoon	...	Nate
Duncan McLeod	...	Lt. Joe Sterling
Tony Burton	...	Sonny Spyder Brown
Anny Green	...	Honey
John Alderman	...	Cockroach
Betsee Finlee	...	Junkie (as Betsy Finley)
Ken Bell	...	Eddie
Cinque Attucks	...	Winston
Tom Scott	...	Newscaster
Ricardo Brown	...	Danny
Kathryn Jackson	...	Mrs. Brown

Storyline

J.J., a rising star in the black crime scene, is in the process of consolidating his power over the neighborhood. One of the only remaining obstacles is the white heroin cartel that is understandably reluctant to abandon such a lucrative market. Tensions rise between the two rivals, and people on both sides get killed. Eventually, the matter is destined to come to an explosive confrontation.

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Plot Keywords:

swimming pool | female frontal nudity | black man | martial arts | blaxploitation | 

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Taglines:

There's A New Godfather In Town...

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 September 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le parrain noir de Harlem

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cougar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Tommy: [pointing to the house] Well, here it is. Let's rip it off.

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Connections

Referenced in Mackin' Ain't Easy (2002)

User Reviews

Curiosly low-key for a blaxsploitation film.

"The Black Godfather" begins with a young guy, J.J. (Rod Perry), nearly getting himself killed but being ultimately rescued and taken under the wing of a guy who is in charge of the numbers rackets in the inner city. Despite nearly getting killed, J.J. is insistent that he has plans---plans on taking down the established white mob that has set up shop in the ghetto. However, and this is odd, it's never really certain what his plans are once he's destroyed this mob. Does he want peace for his community or does he want to be the next mob boss.

This is an unusual blaxsploitation film in that I have seen similar types of movies but never one that is so muted and low-key. The normal bouncy 70s R&B music is gone and so are the loud stereotypical sorts of characters. Some, I am sure, will dislike this--they WANT the crazy over-the-top characters you see in many blaxsploitation films. Some might appreciate that the folks AREN'T so stereotypical. The problem I had is that although I appreciated these sorts of characters, the script itself just lacked energy and life--definitely making this a lesser film of the genre.

By the way, look for the rather visible mic at 20:00 at the top of the screen--much like you'll see deliberately included in the recent blaxsploitation parody "Black Dynamite" (a definite must-see).