This week’s Moviedrome Monday blog entry is a double-bill consisting of a neo-noir and a film noir – both shot on location in New York City.
Shaft (1971)
I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to African-American director Gordon Parks 1971 action crime thriller Shaft. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was September 27, 1998 (read here). Along with Melvin Van Peebles Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (also from 71), the more mainstream Shaft is reported to have birthed the blaxploitation subgenre, though Ossie Davis Cotton Comes to Harlem (from a year earlier) is sometimes credited as the earliest example. Either way, this is truly a fun film (as Parks himself states) galvanized by Soul singer Isaac Hayes iconic score and theme song – winning an Oscar for the latter.
Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Shaft
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
Force of Evil (1948)
I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to blacklisted director/writer Abraham Polonsky’s 1948 crime drama Force of Evil. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was September 28, 1998 (read here). I agree with every single word of praise that Cousins showers on this film noir classic.
Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Force of Evil
Here is a youtube video link to what may be the film’s original theatrical trailer
cinematiccoffee 
Welcome back John, last Monday wasn’t the same without you. I used to love Shaft, I once had the soundtrack on cassette and used to listen to it endlessly. The theme by Isaac Hayes is truly iconic.
I haven’t seen these films.
John, did you watch Blood Ties? If so, any thoughts?
I saw ‘Force of Evil’ in a noir retrospective at the NFT in London in the late 1960s. I remember Garfield in it, but I have only vague memories of the film now. ‘Shaft’ (1971) I saw on release at the cinema, mainly interested in the soundtrack. To be honest, I never rated Roundtree as an actor. I also didn’t bother with any of the later remakes.
Best wishes, Pete.
I just finished watching Blood Ties (the shorter version) and I do see a lot of greatness in it that is probably fulfilled upon in the longer version which I will watch next. Vincent Spano is quite the standout – I mean he really is psychotic 🙂 Also, I am almost done with my review of Je t’aime moi non plus 🙂
You should definitely rewatch Force of Evil to remember it’s visual poetry 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
The Isaac Hayes theme is truly memorable as you so eloquently state Paul 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂