Blaxploitation Films of the 1970s

Blackness and Genre

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Film, History, Americas, United States
Cover of the book Blaxploitation Films of the 1970s by Novotny Lawrence, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Novotny Lawrence ISBN: 9781135900359
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 12, 2007
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Novotny Lawrence
ISBN: 9781135900359
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 12, 2007
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

During the early years of the motion picture industry, black performers were often depicted as shuckin’ and jivin’ caricatures. Specifically, black males were portrayed as toms, coons and bucks, while the mammy and tragic mulatto archetypes circumscribed black femininity. This misrepresentation began to change in the 1950s and 1960s when performers such as Dorothy Dandridge and Sidney Poitier were cast in more positive roles. These performers paved the way for the black exploitation or blaxploitation movement, which began in 1970 and flourished until 1975. The movement is characterized by films that feature a black hero or heroine, black supporting characters, a predominately black urban setting, a display of black sexuality, excessive violence, and a contemporary rhythm and blues soundtrack. Blaxploitation films were made across varying genres, but the questionable elements of some of the pictures caused them to be referred to as "blaxploitation" films with little or no regard given to their generic categorization. This book examines how Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970), Blacula (1972), The Mack (1973), and Cleopatra Jones (1973) can be classified within the detective, horror, gangster, and cop action genres, respectively, and illustrates the manner in which the inclusion of "blackness" represents a significant revision to the aforementioned genres.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

During the early years of the motion picture industry, black performers were often depicted as shuckin’ and jivin’ caricatures. Specifically, black males were portrayed as toms, coons and bucks, while the mammy and tragic mulatto archetypes circumscribed black femininity. This misrepresentation began to change in the 1950s and 1960s when performers such as Dorothy Dandridge and Sidney Poitier were cast in more positive roles. These performers paved the way for the black exploitation or blaxploitation movement, which began in 1970 and flourished until 1975. The movement is characterized by films that feature a black hero or heroine, black supporting characters, a predominately black urban setting, a display of black sexuality, excessive violence, and a contemporary rhythm and blues soundtrack. Blaxploitation films were made across varying genres, but the questionable elements of some of the pictures caused them to be referred to as "blaxploitation" films with little or no regard given to their generic categorization. This book examines how Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970), Blacula (1972), The Mack (1973), and Cleopatra Jones (1973) can be classified within the detective, horror, gangster, and cop action genres, respectively, and illustrates the manner in which the inclusion of "blackness" represents a significant revision to the aforementioned genres.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Thomas Hardy's Short Stories by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Music in Comedy Television by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Tourism, Creativity and Development by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book The Sourcebook of Nonverbal Measures by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Preservation, Tourism and Nationalism by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Skill Acquisition in Sport by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Education and the Scandinavian Welfare State in the Year 2000 by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book The Tower and the Abyss by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book The United States Newspaper Program by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Colloquial Afrikaans by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Class and Personality in Society by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Communication, Sport and Disability by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book On Writing Qualitative Research by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Account of the Black Charaibs in the Island of St Vincent's by Novotny Lawrence
Cover of the book Urban Problems and Planning in the Developed World (Routledge Revivals) by Novotny Lawrence
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy