When discussing classic 70s blaxpolitation, it would be simply criminal to not include D’Urville Martin’s 1975 classic Dolemite in the conversation. As a fan of this popular sub genre I feel ashamed that I have not experienced this film until just this week. While it can easily be lumped within other films of the same ilk, such as Shaft or Coffy, Dolemite stands on its own as one of the most horrendously made, yet hilariously awesome blaxploitation flicks I’ve ever seen. The film stars Rudy Ray Moore as Dolemite, a pimp who is wrongfully imprisoned for dealing dope and stolen furs. After crime spirals out of control, the warden lets Dolemite free, with the agreement that he will take to the streets and clean up the city. Dolemite must use his sharp tongue and karate skills to find the source of the crime, and take down Willie Green (played by D’Urville), a ruthless crime boss.
The film is comprised of scene after scene of everything one could hope for in an exploitation flick. There’s guns, sex, karate, drugs, and violence, all fueled by a classic 70s porn-sounding soundtrack. It’s all done very poorly and yet with lines like “Dolemite is my name and fuckin’ up mother fuckers is my game,” how can you not love it?
Though it’s mostly played straight, it should be noted that everyone was aware of how ridiculous everything was in this movie, and no one really seems to be taking anything seriously. I’m not sure if this was billed as a comedy when it was initially released, but I suspect the filmmakers planned on it being tongue in cheek.
Rudy Ray Moore is absolutely awful as an actor, however the character of Dolemite is simply amazing. Nearly every stilted line that comes out of his mouth is a classic, and simply begs to be quoted. For example, when one of Dolemite’s ladies proclaims she’s afraid of ghosts, Dolemite reassure her by exclaiming “Ghosts? If you ever see a ghost cut the mother fucker.” While Moore’s performance is poor, nearly everyone else is even worse. That being said, the terrible acting actually makes the film more charming and provides more comedy, though it was certainly unintentional.
There were two sequels created after the cult success of the original, titled The Human Tornado, which was released the following year, and The Dolemite Explosion (formerly titled The Return of Dolemite) which came out in 2002. There was also a spin-off titled Shoalin Dolemite that starred Rudy Ray Moore as a monk named Ru-Dee which was released in 1999. I haven’t seen any of the sequels, however I do plan on checking them out, provided I can find them somewhere on DVD.
Dolemite is simply not to be missed. It encapsulates everything that makes 70s grindhouse cinema such a joy to watch. It’s poorly directed, scripted, acted, and edited, but somehow remains an entertaining laugh riot. While films like Coffy or Sweet Sweetback may be considered the bride and groom of blaxploitation, Dolemite is like the crazy drunk best man that has no filter and hits on all the bridesmaids. It’s dirty, offensive, brash, and I loved every second of it.
