Dolemite (1975)

After he is released from jail, a pimp takes on the criminals and corrupt police officers who framed him in the first place.

Director:

D'Urville Martin

Writers:

Jerry Jones (screenplay), Rudy Ray Moore (original adaptation) (as R.R. Moore)

Stars:

Rudy Ray Moore, D'Urville Martin, Jerry Jones

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rudy Ray Moore	...	Dolemite
D'Urville Martin	...	Willie Green
Jerry Jones	...	Blakeley
Lady Reed	...	Queen Bee
Brenda DeLong	...	Dolemite Girl
Terri Mosley	...	Dolemite Girl
Marilyn Shaw	...	Dolemite Girl
Lynell Smith	...	Dolemite Girl
Vera Howard	...	Dolemite Girl
Joy Martin	...	Dolemite Girl
Jana Bisbing	...	Dolemite Girl
Brenda Banks	...	Dolemite Girl
Pat Haywood	...	Dolemite Girl
René Van Clief	...	Dolemite Girl (as Rene Van Clief)
Pat Jones	...	Dolemite Girl

Storyline

Dolemite is a pimp who was set up by Willie Greene and the cops, who have planted drugs, stolen furs, and guns in his trunk and got him sentenced to 20 years in jail. One day, Queen B and a warden planned to get him out of Jail and get Willie Green and Mitchell busted for what they did to him. However, Dolemite is no stupid man and has a lot of warriors backing him, such as his call girls, who are Karate Experts--and lots more....

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Plot Keywords:

blaxploitation | grindhouse film | prison | profanity | fight | 

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Taglines:

With his All-Girl Army of Kung Fu Killers.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cinematographer Nicholas Josef von Sternberg was initially hired to be a production manager for this film.

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Goofs

When Dolemite says "Breathin' down yo neck," shadows of the cast, crew, and equipment are visible.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Prison Guard: Okay, Dolemite, the warden wants to see you.
Dolemite: Oh, shit. What the hell does that rat-soup-eatin' motherfucker want with me?

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Two of a Kind (2014)

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Soundtracks

When We Start Making Love
Written by Rudy Ray Moore, Arranged by Arthur Wright
Performed by The Soul Rebellion Orchestra conducted by Rudy Ray Moore
Sung by Mary Love Comer (as Mary Love)

User Reviews

Ultimate Backyard Blaxploitation Movie

1975... before Rudy Ray Moore was hailed as the "Father Of Rap Music" he was touring Black clubs around the nation doing routines from his brisk selling "Party Records". In his spare time and when finances allowed, he would make the opccasional movie on a shoestring budget. This was his first. A classic blaxploitation action movie. The flubs are legendary and have been detailed elsewhere, this looks like a backyard movie, very similar to movies kids would make in their yards with the advent of home Video cameras.

Great flick from a strictly guilty pleasure standpoint. You ignore the errors and weak plot, you see Rudy's obvious pleasure over acting in front of a camera for the first time. I imagine this was a dream come trur for Rudy, he could finally bring his nightclub character Dolemite to the big screen. Of course, Dolemite is an almost mythological character, much bigger than real life, sort of like a Black Paul Bunyan, but Rudy gives an admirable attempt in bringing Dolemite to the screen. This movie had a revival of sorts when Arsenio Hall's TV talk show would feature clips from this movie and also when Arsenio had Rudy Ray on his show. Worth seeing if not taken seriously.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dolemite

Filming Locations:

4345 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Comedian International Enterprises (C.I.E.)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1