J.D.'s Revenge (1976)

A docile black law student is possessed by a 1940's mobster in mid-70's New Orleans. The mobster seeks revenge upon the people who killed him and his sister.

Director:

Arthur Marks

Writer:

Jaison Starkes

Stars:

Glynn Turman, Louis Gossett Jr., Joan Pringle

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glynn Turman	...	Isaac
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Rev. Elija Bliss (as Lou Gossett)
Joan Pringle	...	Christella
Carl W. Crudup	...	Tony (as Carl Crudup)
James Watkins	...	Carl (as James Louis Watkins)
Fred Pinkard	...	Theotis Bliss
Jo Anne Meredith	...	Sara Divine
Alice Jubert	...	Roberta Bliss / Betty Jo
David McKnight	...	J.D. Walker
Stephanie Faulkner	...	Phyllis
Fuddle Bagley	...	Enoch Land
Earl Billings	...	Capt. Turner
Paul Galloway	...	Garage Man
Barbara Tasker	...	Sheryl
Tom Alden	...	Higgins

Storyline

A docile black law student is possessed by a 1940's mobster in mid-70's New Orleans. The mobster seeks revenge upon the people who killed him and his sister.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | revenge | incestuous sex | murder | uncle niece relationship | 

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Taglines:

He came back from the dead to possess a man's soul, make love to his woman, and get the Vengeance he craved!

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Reincarnation of J.D. Walker

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made (2004)

User Reviews

Somewhat interesting but also pretty sick

In 1942 New Orleans gangster J.D. Walker (David McKnight) is shot to death by Elija Bliss (Lou Gossett). It is believed that he killed his wife (he didn't). Cut to 1976. Mild mannered young law student Ike (Glynn Turman) is possessed by the spirit of J.D. He immediately becomes cruel and vicious and treating his beautiful girl friend Christella (Joan Pringle) like dirt. Then he realizes his ex rival Elija is still alive as a preacher and J.D. sets out to get his revenge.

I've wanted to see this since it came out in 1976. I was 14 then and a newspaper ad showed a drawing of a gravestone and a pretty young woman lying dead in front of it with a look of horror on her face (needless to say nothing like that appears in the film). But the film only played one week and quickly disappeared--but I've never forgotten that drawing. I'm glad I finally got the chance to see it. It's not a great film but it's an interesting psychological horror film more than a blood and guts one. There's only one bloody attack scene and a shot of a dead animal being cut open (which was repeated at least 8 times).

This concentrates more on Ike being possessed and trying to fight back. It's a hard role but Turman pulls it off. The only part where he goes too far is at the end when J.D. takes complete control and Turman REALLY overdoes it. It's also kind of fun seeing Gossett (REALLY chewing the scenery) as a preacher. His speeches at church are energetic (to say the least) and a highlight. The only thing that bothers me here is the disgusting misogynistic attitude. There's a truly sick scene where Turman viciously tries to rape Pringle. The only other female roles are TWO cheating wives who eagerly jump into bed with other men and Bliss's daughter who seduces Ike (J.D.) almost immediately. Also Ike has a friend who talks about women like they should be beaten up and controlled. This attitude permeates the film and makes it a chore sometimes to watch. Still this is a somewhat interesting reincarnation movie. I give it a 7.