“Blacula” is leaving the coffin.
MGM, Bron and Hidden Empire Film Group’s Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor are teaming up for a reboot of the blaxploitation horror classic.
The new film is a modern reimagining of the 1972 movie, directed by William Crain and starring William Marshall as Blacula. The reboot picks up where the original saga left off, after the 1973 sequel “Scream Blacula Scream,” and will be set in a metropolitan city post-coronavirus pandemic.
A description of “Blacula” teases how the movie will update the classic story, as it follows the vampire as he “thirsts for vengeance”:
Blacula is an ancient African prince who is cursed by Dracula after he fails to agree to end the slave trade. Blacula is entombed and awakens 200 years later ready to avenge the death of his ancestors and of those responsible for robbing his people of their work, culture and heritage as they appropriated it for profit.
MGM, Bron and Hidden Empire Film Group’s Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor are teaming up for a reboot of the blaxploitation horror classic.
The new film is a modern reimagining of the 1972 movie, directed by William Crain and starring William Marshall as Blacula. The reboot picks up where the original saga left off, after the 1973 sequel “Scream Blacula Scream,” and will be set in a metropolitan city post-coronavirus pandemic.
A description of “Blacula” teases how the movie will update the classic story, as it follows the vampire as he “thirsts for vengeance”:
Blacula is an ancient African prince who is cursed by Dracula after he fails to agree to end the slave trade. Blacula is entombed and awakens 200 years later ready to avenge the death of his ancestors and of those responsible for robbing his people of their work, culture and heritage as they appropriated it for profit.
- 6/17/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Guest reviewer Lee Broughton tackles Tonino Valerii’s Spaghetti Western-cum-political conspiracy thriller. By brazenly transposing key aspects of John F. Kennedy’s assassination onto the assassination of James A. Garfield in 1881, Valerii gives both western and conspiracy film fans much food for thought. A career best performance by Giuliano Gemma, repurposed sets from Once Upon a Time in the West and great turns by a plethora of Sergio Leone’s regular supporting actors bring a sense of gravitas to this intriguing show.
A Bullet for the President
Region Free Blu-ray
Wild East
1969 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 112 min. / Il prezzo del potere, The Price of Power / Street Date November 25, 2019 / 18.45
Starring: Giuliano Gemma, Warren Vanders, Van Johnson, Maria Cuadra, Ray Saunders, Fernando Rey, Antonio Casas, Benito Stefanelli, Jose Suarez, Jose Calvo, Manuel Zarzo, Michael Harvey, Norma Jordan, Angel Alvarez.
Cinematography: Stelvio Massi
Film Editor: Franco Fraticelli
Original Music: Luis Bacalov
Production Designer: Carlo Leva...
A Bullet for the President
Region Free Blu-ray
Wild East
1969 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 112 min. / Il prezzo del potere, The Price of Power / Street Date November 25, 2019 / 18.45
Starring: Giuliano Gemma, Warren Vanders, Van Johnson, Maria Cuadra, Ray Saunders, Fernando Rey, Antonio Casas, Benito Stefanelli, Jose Suarez, Jose Calvo, Manuel Zarzo, Michael Harvey, Norma Jordan, Angel Alvarez.
Cinematography: Stelvio Massi
Film Editor: Franco Fraticelli
Original Music: Luis Bacalov
Production Designer: Carlo Leva...
- 7/18/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Shaft’s Big Score! / Shaft in Africa
Blu ray
Warner Archive
1972, 1973 / 2.35 : 1 / 104, 112 Min.
Starring Richard Roundtree, Vonetta McGee, Frank Finley
Directed by Gordon Parks, John Guillermin
Released in 1971 during a notoriously divisive presidential campaign, Shaft was both a middle finger to the powers that be and a sexually charged Black Power taunt – a combination that convulsed 42nd Street audiences while scaring the bejesus out of your average Nixon voter.
For that grindhouse crowd, Richard Roundtree, not Nixon, was The One and his portrayal of the street-smart detective reached far beyond The Deuce – director Gordon Parks’ film cost only $500,000 but brought in 13 million at the box office. Sequels were just around the corner.
A year later Shaft’s Big Score! reunited Parks, Roundtree and screenwriter Ernest Tidyman while quadrupling the budget in the bargain – the streets are still mean but the volatile mood swings that made the 1971 film a cultural touchstone...
Blu ray
Warner Archive
1972, 1973 / 2.35 : 1 / 104, 112 Min.
Starring Richard Roundtree, Vonetta McGee, Frank Finley
Directed by Gordon Parks, John Guillermin
Released in 1971 during a notoriously divisive presidential campaign, Shaft was both a middle finger to the powers that be and a sexually charged Black Power taunt – a combination that convulsed 42nd Street audiences while scaring the bejesus out of your average Nixon voter.
For that grindhouse crowd, Richard Roundtree, not Nixon, was The One and his portrayal of the street-smart detective reached far beyond The Deuce – director Gordon Parks’ film cost only $500,000 but brought in 13 million at the box office. Sequels were just around the corner.
A year later Shaft’s Big Score! reunited Parks, Roundtree and screenwriter Ernest Tidyman while quadrupling the budget in the bargain – the streets are still mean but the volatile mood swings that made the 1971 film a cultural touchstone...
- 5/28/2019
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Hollywood is the cultural Bandwagon Central; if something can be rode and milked until the teat is dry, it will, and the carcass won’t be pretty. Television especially thrives on instantly recognizable content as much as the ads wedged in between; but when horror gives it a go, the content can’t help but be different by even a few recognizable degrees. At least it was in the ‘70s, when an intriguing pilot titled The Norliss Tapes (1973) tried (yet failed) to ride The Night Stalker (’72) vibe into viewers’ living rooms – something the Kolchak: The Night Stalker series was able to do the following year.
Originally broadcast February 21st as part of the NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie; across the dial were CBS’ Medical Center and the ABC Wednesday Movie of the Week, both of which did better, leaving poor Mr. Norliss unable to continue his fight against the supernatural.
Let...
Originally broadcast February 21st as part of the NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie; across the dial were CBS’ Medical Center and the ABC Wednesday Movie of the Week, both of which did better, leaving poor Mr. Norliss unable to continue his fight against the supernatural.
Let...
- 8/26/2018
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Blaxploitation films burst onto the scene in 1971 with the huge success of Gordon Park’s Shaft. By 1972, audiences were clamoring for more, and filmmakers and studios were keen to jump on the bandwagon. While most of the majors were focusing on the Shaft formula of hot chicks and cool Dicks, American International Pictures saw a void that no one had filled yet: the black horror film. And so, with as little money as they usually invested, they sent forth into the world Blacula (1972), and wouldn’t you know it? Audiences loved it.
Just don’t call it Blaxploitation—because it isn’t. Blacula, surprisingly, showcases little of the developing tropes already established by Shaft. There is no "jive" talk, no gratuitous nudity or overwhelming violence. And I say "surprisingly", because it would have been so easy (not to mention profitable) to follow the formula set in motion by Shaft, Superfly,...
Just don’t call it Blaxploitation—because it isn’t. Blacula, surprisingly, showcases little of the developing tropes already established by Shaft. There is no "jive" talk, no gratuitous nudity or overwhelming violence. And I say "surprisingly", because it would have been so easy (not to mention profitable) to follow the formula set in motion by Shaft, Superfly,...
- 1/16/2016
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Urban action and fatal attraction give rise to a groove from beyond the grave in this funkadelic, fangadelic blaxploitation double-bill from Eureka Entertainment, which sees the eternally cool William Marshall put a fresh spin on the age-old legend of the vampire, condemned to wander the earth with an insatiable lust for blood as Blacula.
Produced at the height of the blaxploitation era, the Blacula movies are the perfect blend of genre and social film making, the types of which hadn’t been seen before… or since!
Blacula (1972)
Stars: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala, Gordon Pinsent, Charles Macaulay, Emily Yancy, Ted Harris, Rick Metzler | Written by Joan Torres, Raymond Koenig | Directed by William Crain
In 1780, African Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall) pays a visit to Count Dracula in Transylvania, seeking his support in ending the slave trade. Instead, the evil count curses his noble guest and transforms him into a vampire!
Produced at the height of the blaxploitation era, the Blacula movies are the perfect blend of genre and social film making, the types of which hadn’t been seen before… or since!
Blacula (1972)
Stars: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala, Gordon Pinsent, Charles Macaulay, Emily Yancy, Ted Harris, Rick Metzler | Written by Joan Torres, Raymond Koenig | Directed by William Crain
In 1780, African Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall) pays a visit to Count Dracula in Transylvania, seeking his support in ending the slave trade. Instead, the evil count curses his noble guest and transforms him into a vampire!
- 11/2/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
After all the debates, controversies, and stereotype accusations have cleared, looking back on Blaxploitation cinema today it’s easy to see healthy portions of the crime and action genres. Using these genres and the struggles of the black community, these films were created for those that wanted to see African American characters on the big screen not taking shit from the man, “getting over”, and–above all else—being the heroes in movies. In the documentary Baad Asssss Cinema, Samuel L. Jackson gives his take on the heroes of Blaxploitation: “We were tired of seeing the righteous black man. And all of a sudden we had guys who were…us. Or guys who did the things we wanted those guys to do.”
The unsung supporting players in these films that backed Fred Williamson and Pam Grier and many other stars were people acting and making a living off of it.
The unsung supporting players in these films that backed Fred Williamson and Pam Grier and many other stars were people acting and making a living off of it.
- 12/4/2012
- by Gregory Day
- SoundOnSight
Damn! I totally effed up and scheduled our podcast season debut tonight, completely forgetting that the MoMA Charles Burnett retrospective also begins tonight! And with his masterpiece too, Killer Of Sheep, which I Still haven’t seen on the big screen, and really want to. I have the recently released DVD issue, but, I think this is a film I’d really love to see in a theater, in all its gritty black and white glory.
Anyway… I already alerted you to this about 2 or 3 weeks ago, so consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a series titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it?...
Anyway… I already alerted you to this about 2 or 3 weeks ago, so consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a series titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it?...
- 4/6/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Have you purchased your tickets yet?
I already alerted you to this 2 weeks ago week I believe it was. Consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a complete retrospective titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it? At MoMA of course – specifically, the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters.
How much will each screening cost you? $10 adults; $8 seniors, 65 years and over with I.D. $6 full-time students with current I.D.
The full lineup follows below. As can be expected, Killer Of Sheep, My Brother’s Wedding, To Sleep With Anger, The Glass Shield, and other of his most known films, will screen.
But of most...
I already alerted you to this 2 weeks ago week I believe it was. Consider this a reminder! MoMA sent out the below press release which details the entire retrospective.
But I’ll break it down for you:
What is it? Charles Burnett is being feted at MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art, here in New York City) with a complete retrospective titled Charles Burnett: The Power To Endure.
When is it? April 6-25, 2011.
Where is it? At MoMA of course – specifically, the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters.
How much will each screening cost you? $10 adults; $8 seniors, 65 years and over with I.D. $6 full-time students with current I.D.
The full lineup follows below. As can be expected, Killer Of Sheep, My Brother’s Wedding, To Sleep With Anger, The Glass Shield, and other of his most known films, will screen.
But of most...
- 4/1/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Another one bites the dust! See you next year… maybe.
So, what did you all think? I live-tweeted the entire broadcast. Good times, as I’m sure those who were following me will agree
Not too many major surprises. I fully expected The Social Network to win, since it did so well in all the pre-Oscar awards ceremonies. In fact, I think the only major award it won was in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for Aaron Sorkin.
It was a night fit for a king… The King’s Speech cleaned up nicely in the major categories… Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Picture. As I said on Twitter last night, rumors of Harvey Weinstein’s strong-arm tactics are apparently true!
Inception did well… but in the technical categories, inspiring the ire of many fanboys and girls, many who felt that the film was robbed in the...
So, what did you all think? I live-tweeted the entire broadcast. Good times, as I’m sure those who were following me will agree
Not too many major surprises. I fully expected The Social Network to win, since it did so well in all the pre-Oscar awards ceremonies. In fact, I think the only major award it won was in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for Aaron Sorkin.
It was a night fit for a king… The King’s Speech cleaned up nicely in the major categories… Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Picture. As I said on Twitter last night, rumors of Harvey Weinstein’s strong-arm tactics are apparently true!
Inception did well… but in the technical categories, inspiring the ire of many fanboys and girls, many who felt that the film was robbed in the...
- 2/28/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
I’d forgotten about this contest! Terrible of me, I know!
It was likely because I only got 1 single entry. So, either most of you couldn’t identify all the film titles and faces in the video, or the $50 gift cert wasn’t enticing enough, or you just didn’t give a shit.
Regardless, as a refresher, I put together the below video compilation last month, highlighting black cinema in 2010. Your task was to name every film used in the video And the names of the faces in the Rip section towards the end of it.
As I stated then, all the answers could have been found right here on the blog, because we’ve talked about all of them.
I was later supposed to repost the video, along with a list of all the films and the RIPs in the video, so that you all can compare with your guesses.
It was likely because I only got 1 single entry. So, either most of you couldn’t identify all the film titles and faces in the video, or the $50 gift cert wasn’t enticing enough, or you just didn’t give a shit.
Regardless, as a refresher, I put together the below video compilation last month, highlighting black cinema in 2010. Your task was to name every film used in the video And the names of the faces in the Rip section towards the end of it.
As I stated then, all the answers could have been found right here on the blog, because we’ve talked about all of them.
I was later supposed to repost the video, along with a list of all the films and the RIPs in the video, so that you all can compare with your guesses.
- 1/14/2011
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
The Biggest Moments of 2010End of Year RecapAs we make our way through busy streets to find last-minute gifts and attend holiday parties, it's time to look back at the most memorable moments of 2010.We saw Haiti suffer a devastating blow, sex scandals that rocked the church, many marriages, engagements and babies — and let's not forget all the comebacks, viral videos, TV drama and more. As we reminisce, let us not forget, but make peace with the tragedies that shook us to our core, and make permanent memories of the celebrations that brought us incredible highs.Though the headlines didn't always make us proud, we hope to make 2011 a more prosperous, joyous, successful year than 2010 ever was. Cheers to the end of an amazing year, and the beginning of the new one...Bridal BlissWe're happy to report that the couples who tied the knot this year outnumbered the married pairs that called it quits.
- 12/22/2010
- Essence
Actor famous for her roles in blaxploitation films of the 1970s
The actor Vonetta McGee, who has died aged 65 after a cardiac arrest, was a heroine of 1970s blaxploitation movies, but I pursued her because she had also appeared in the greatest of all Italian westerns, Sergio Corbucci's Il Grande Silenzio (The Great Silence). The year was 1983, and I was in the fortunate position of having a feature to direct: Repo Man. The cast was a large one for a low-budget movie. It included all types: method actors from New York, punks from the La hardcore scene, disgruntled Hollywood character actors and refugees from the theatre, but only one star, as I soon discovered.
Not that Vonetta behaved in a "starry" fashion. She was completely approachable and a professional, always one of the team. Nevertheless, of all the actors in my film, Vonetta was the one with the credits.
The actor Vonetta McGee, who has died aged 65 after a cardiac arrest, was a heroine of 1970s blaxploitation movies, but I pursued her because she had also appeared in the greatest of all Italian westerns, Sergio Corbucci's Il Grande Silenzio (The Great Silence). The year was 1983, and I was in the fortunate position of having a feature to direct: Repo Man. The cast was a large one for a low-budget movie. It included all types: method actors from New York, punks from the La hardcore scene, disgruntled Hollywood character actors and refugees from the theatre, but only one star, as I soon discovered.
Not that Vonetta behaved in a "starry" fashion. She was completely approachable and a professional, always one of the team. Nevertheless, of all the actors in my film, Vonetta was the one with the credits.
- 7/20/2010
- by Alex Cox
- The Guardian - Film News
Bob Moricz beats me to it and does a post on anti-underground film conditioning. Don’t resist the resistance! Plus, Bob reports on a what sounds like a fun event to be held in Portland, Or: The Video Gong Show. Cut & Paste has an interview with Rachel Bernsousa of the Revelation Perth International Film Festival. So, how’s the fest going this year? Great! Also, Cut & Paste has several reviews of films at Revelation. Can’t get to Washington, D.C. to see Phil Solomon’s film retrospective and American Falls installation? Genevieve Yue tells us what we’re missing on Moving Image Source. File this one under unique screening locations: It’s London’s new Portobello Pop Up Cinema microplex located under a freeway . (Via APEngine.) Frank’s Wild Lunch reviews the long-lost but recently unearthed The Sorrows of Dolores by Charles Ludlam, which just screened at Outfest. Making...
- 7/18/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Here's what's heating up the conversation around the editorial desk this morning: Legendary blaxploitation actress Vonetta McGee died at age 65. The Obamas are headed to Maine for a weekend of family fun at Acadia National Park. And Vivica A. Fox drops some more cougar philosophy on "Lopez Tonight."Here's what you had to say: Vee commented via Facebook: "She was an awesome actress." Sonja wrote via Facebook: "She was a beautiful woman. So sorry to hear of her passing."...
- 7/16/2010
- Essence
Here.s some sad new for fans of 70.s Blaxpolitation.
From the Los Angeles Times:
” Vonetta McGee, an actress whose big-screen heyday during the blaxploitation era of the 1970s included leading roles in “Blacula” and “Shaft in Africa,” has died. She was 65. McGee died Friday at a hospital in Berkeley after experiencing cardiac arrest and being on life support for two days, said family spokeswoman Kelley Nayo. McGee was described as “one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses” by Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas in 1972, the year she appeared opposite Fred Williamson in the black action movie “Hammer,” and had starring roles in the crime-drama “Melinda” and the horror film “Blacula.”She went on to appear with Richard Roundtree in “Shaft in Africa” (1973), and co-starred with Max Julien in “Thomasine & Bushrod” (1974).”
Ms McGee did not like the term .Blaxpolitation. but starred in many of those films including, besides the ones mentioned above,...
From the Los Angeles Times:
” Vonetta McGee, an actress whose big-screen heyday during the blaxploitation era of the 1970s included leading roles in “Blacula” and “Shaft in Africa,” has died. She was 65. McGee died Friday at a hospital in Berkeley after experiencing cardiac arrest and being on life support for two days, said family spokeswoman Kelley Nayo. McGee was described as “one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses” by Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas in 1972, the year she appeared opposite Fred Williamson in the black action movie “Hammer,” and had starring roles in the crime-drama “Melinda” and the horror film “Blacula.”She went on to appear with Richard Roundtree in “Shaft in Africa” (1973), and co-starred with Max Julien in “Thomasine & Bushrod” (1974).”
Ms McGee did not like the term .Blaxpolitation. but starred in many of those films including, besides the ones mentioned above,...
- 7/16/2010
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Vonetta McGee, one of the most prominent actresses to gain fame during the period of Blaxploitation films in the 1970s, has died at age 65. She had been battling health problems since she was teenager and had been on life support for the last few days. McGee resented the term Blaxploitation and felt frustrated that she never received studio support to emerge as a bigger star. Still, she worked consistently and in hit films like Blacula, Shaft in Africa, Melinda and Thomasine and Bushrod. She also had a few key roles in The Lost Man opposite Sidney Poitier, and most notably, as the female lead, Jemima Brown, in Clint Eastwood's 1975 spy thriller The Eiger Sanction. In later years, she had a recurring role on TV series L.A. Law. For more click here
Click here to watch the original trailer for...
Click here to watch the original trailer for...
- 7/15/2010
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Shaft In Africa and The Eiger Sanction star Vonetta McGee has died, aged 65.
The actress suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital last Friday.
An icon of the blaxploitation films of the 1970s, McGee also had starring roles in Blacula and Hammer.
But it was her role opposite Richard Roundtree in Shaft in Africa in 1973 which really helped make her name.
According to the Los Angeles Times, McGee was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 17, although her death was not related to the disease.
The actress suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital last Friday.
An icon of the blaxploitation films of the 1970s, McGee also had starring roles in Blacula and Hammer.
But it was her role opposite Richard Roundtree in Shaft in Africa in 1973 which really helped make her name.
According to the Los Angeles Times, McGee was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 17, although her death was not related to the disease.
- 7/15/2010
- WENN
I’m only just learning that 70s starlet Vonetta McGee has died at 65 years old; she suffered cardiac arrest at a hospital in Berkeley, and was on life support for two days before passing. This happened last week Friday actually, the 9th of July.
During McGee’s prime, she co-starred in a handful of 1970s blaxploitation films, including roles in Blacula, Hammer and Shaft in Africa.
Her career began in the late 60s, when she played parts in films alongside the likes of Jean-Louis Trintignant and Klaus Kinski in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence (1968), & Sidney Poitier in The Lost Man (1969). She can also be found in John Huston’s 1970 noir thriller The Kremlin Letter.
Post her blaxploitation run, she later appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Eiger Sanction. In the ’80s, she had numerous TV credits, including parts in Cagney & Lacey, Bustin’ Loose, and L.A. Law.
Her resume thinned out in the 1990s,...
During McGee’s prime, she co-starred in a handful of 1970s blaxploitation films, including roles in Blacula, Hammer and Shaft in Africa.
Her career began in the late 60s, when she played parts in films alongside the likes of Jean-Louis Trintignant and Klaus Kinski in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence (1968), & Sidney Poitier in The Lost Man (1969). She can also be found in John Huston’s 1970 noir thriller The Kremlin Letter.
Post her blaxploitation run, she later appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Eiger Sanction. In the ’80s, she had numerous TV credits, including parts in Cagney & Lacey, Bustin’ Loose, and L.A. Law.
Her resume thinned out in the 1990s,...
- 7/15/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
She appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in 'The Eiger Sanction' and in many blaxploitation films.
By Kara Warner
Vonetta McGee
Photo: Los Angeles Times
Actress Vonetta McGee, best known for her leading roles in the blaxploitation films "Blacula," "Hammer" and "Shaft in Africa," has died at age 65. The Los Angeles Times reports that McGee died Friday (July 9) after being admitted to a Berkeley, California, hospital for cardiac arrest, for which she was put on life support for two days.
Born Lawrence Vonetta McGee in San Francisco on January 14, 1945, she caught the acting bug while attending college and landed her first film role in the 1968 spaghetti western "The Great Silence." Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas called McGee "one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses" in 1972, the year "Hammer" and "Blacula" were released. She later appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in the action-thriller "The Eiger Sanction." Other film credits include "The Lost Man,...
By Kara Warner
Vonetta McGee
Photo: Los Angeles Times
Actress Vonetta McGee, best known for her leading roles in the blaxploitation films "Blacula," "Hammer" and "Shaft in Africa," has died at age 65. The Los Angeles Times reports that McGee died Friday (July 9) after being admitted to a Berkeley, California, hospital for cardiac arrest, for which she was put on life support for two days.
Born Lawrence Vonetta McGee in San Francisco on January 14, 1945, she caught the acting bug while attending college and landed her first film role in the 1968 spaghetti western "The Great Silence." Times movie reviewer Kevin Thomas called McGee "one of the busiest and most beautiful black actresses" in 1972, the year "Hammer" and "Blacula" were released. She later appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in the action-thriller "The Eiger Sanction." Other film credits include "The Lost Man,...
- 7/15/2010
- MTV Music News
"... They call him Silence, because wherever he goes, the silence of Death follows."
A gang of ruthless bounty hunters, for whom the "Alive" in "Dead or Alive" is mere filler, terrorise a snowbound mountain community, sanctioned by the town's corrupt Justice of the Peace, Pollicut (Luigi Pistilli) – who disposes of those he doesn't like by placing a price on their head.
Following the needless slaughter of her husband at the hands of the sadistic bounty killer, Loco (Klaus Kinski), Pauline (Vonetta McGee) enlists the aid of a wandering gunslinger, Silence (Jean-Louis Trintignant), to avenge his death. The presence of Silence in the desolate town of Snow Hill brings events to a head between the besieged inhabitants and the bounty hunters, and as the black-clad, mute gunman seeks retribution; he can do nothing to halt the massacre that is on its way.
Sergio Corbucci brought a manically fresh perspective to the...
A gang of ruthless bounty hunters, for whom the "Alive" in "Dead or Alive" is mere filler, terrorise a snowbound mountain community, sanctioned by the town's corrupt Justice of the Peace, Pollicut (Luigi Pistilli) – who disposes of those he doesn't like by placing a price on their head.
Following the needless slaughter of her husband at the hands of the sadistic bounty killer, Loco (Klaus Kinski), Pauline (Vonetta McGee) enlists the aid of a wandering gunslinger, Silence (Jean-Louis Trintignant), to avenge his death. The presence of Silence in the desolate town of Snow Hill brings events to a head between the besieged inhabitants and the bounty hunters, and as the black-clad, mute gunman seeks retribution; he can do nothing to halt the massacre that is on its way.
Sergio Corbucci brought a manically fresh perspective to the...
- 12/21/2009
- by Nick
- Latemag.com/film
In my quest to figure out good Xmas and Kwanzaa gifts for my people this year, I realized we always recommend movies, DVD’s and VODs, but I’ve seldom read about good books here on S&A. So, I’ve compile a great list for of Black cinephile-based books for the filmgoing audience. Some you’re definitely familiar with, others maybe not, but nonetheless here it is:
Donald Bogle’s books
I’ve been reading Bogle’s books for 20 years now, so considering I’m just on the precipice of my (eek!) mid-30’s, that’s saying a lot of the amount of Black film knowledge that he’s imparted to the masses for decades.
Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies & Bucks
Arguably Bogle’s greatest, if not simply his best known book, “Toms…” is the definitive study of American Black film images going back to the beginning with Birth of...
Donald Bogle’s books
I’ve been reading Bogle’s books for 20 years now, so considering I’m just on the precipice of my (eek!) mid-30’s, that’s saying a lot of the amount of Black film knowledge that he’s imparted to the masses for decades.
Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies & Bucks
Arguably Bogle’s greatest, if not simply his best known book, “Toms…” is the definitive study of American Black film images going back to the beginning with Birth of...
- 12/19/2009
- by Curtis the Media Man
- ShadowAndAct
DVD Playhouse—May 2009
Paramount Centennial Collection Paramount Studios releases two more classic titles from its library on special edition DVD: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is John Ford’s last masterpiece (although he would go on to direct two more very good films) from 1962: about an Eastern lawyer (James Stewart) who travels west only to find primal brutality in the form of sadistic bandit Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin, great as always) and pragmatic brutality in local rancher Tom Doniphon (John Wayne), each two sides of a coin that represent a way of life slowly dying out as Stewart’s modern brand of civilization tames the West. A perfect film, period. Howard Hawks’ El Dorado is essentially a remake of his earlier classic Rio Bravo, with John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and a young James Caan as lawmen joining forces against corrupt cattle barons. Great fun. Two disc sets.
Paramount Centennial Collection Paramount Studios releases two more classic titles from its library on special edition DVD: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is John Ford’s last masterpiece (although he would go on to direct two more very good films) from 1962: about an Eastern lawyer (James Stewart) who travels west only to find primal brutality in the form of sadistic bandit Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin, great as always) and pragmatic brutality in local rancher Tom Doniphon (John Wayne), each two sides of a coin that represent a way of life slowly dying out as Stewart’s modern brand of civilization tames the West. A perfect film, period. Howard Hawks’ El Dorado is essentially a remake of his earlier classic Rio Bravo, with John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and a young James Caan as lawmen joining forces against corrupt cattle barons. Great fun. Two disc sets.
- 5/12/2009
- by Allen Gardner
- The Hollywood Interview
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.