Black Belt Jones
| Black Belt Jones | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert Clouse |
| Produced by |
Paul Heller Fred Weintraub |
| Written by |
Alexandra Rose Fred Weintraub Oscar Williams |
| Starring |
Jim Kelly Gloria Hendry |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Black Belt Jones is a 1974 American blaxploitation martial arts film directed by Robert Clouse and starring Jim Kelly. The main musical theme was performed by funk guitarist Dennis Coffey.
Plot
The Mafia learns that a new civic center will be built, and they buy all of the land for the site of the building—all except for one place: a karate school owned by Pop Byrd, Black Belt Jones' old friend. Pop Byrd had borrowed money from a local drug dealer, Pinky, in order to open his school. Pinky had been stealing money from the mafia and was forced to pay them $250,000 or get Pop's building for them. Pinky inflated the debt, with the intent of offering Pop the deal of trading his building in exchange for the debt being cleared. However, things do not go as planned, as Pop is accidentally killed by Pinky's men during an intimidation attempt. Before he dies, he states that he couldn't give them the building to settle his debt, because it did not belong to him, but to someone named Sydney. Pinky then decides to send his men to the karate school, to inform them of Pop's debt (inflated yet again) and attempt the same scheme. However, the thugs are beaten up by Black Belt Jones and the students. Meanwhile, a woman arrives to attend Pop's funeral, who is none other than Sydney, the daughter of the late Pop Byrd. After demanding to know what happened to her father, she is informed of the mafia's activities as well as her father's debt, but says she won't sell the building. Angered, she is determined to punish the people who caused her father's death. Informed of Sydney's martial arts prowess by Quincy, Black Belt Jones joins forces with her to "clobber the mob".
This film was followed by the 1976 release Hot Potato.
Cast
- Jim Kelly as Black Belt Jones
- Gloria Hendry as Sydney
- Scatman Crothers as Pop Byrd
- Eric Laneuville as Quincy
- Alan Weeks as Toppy
- Andre Philippe as Don Steffano
- Vincent Barbi as Big Tuna
- Mel Novak as Blue Eyes
- Malik Carter as Pinky
- Eddie Smith as Oscar
- Earl Jolly Brown as Jelly
- Jac Emil as "Marv the Butcher"
- Earl Maynard as Bogart
Marla Gibbs as Betty (bar scene) Ted Lange as Black Student Union rep extra Clarence Barnes as Tango Esther Sutherland as Lucy
Reception
The movie received a mixed to negative reception.[1][2]
See also
References
- ↑ Weiler, A. H. (1974-01-29). "Movie Review - Black Belt Jones - Screen: Kick-and-Slash:' Black Belt Jones' Is Played by Jim Kelly The Cast ' Black Belt Jones' Is Played by Jim Kelly". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ↑ "Black Belt Jones". Variety. 1973-12-31. Retrieved 2011-01-30.