Taking a cue from Duckman, I have decided to amass a collection of classic 1970’s Blaxsploitation films. My collection currently includes the original SHAFT, and of course Blackula. But I want to expand my collection wisely, so I need the names of choice films. Who’s up to the task?
The people in Cafe Society, most likely.
Do a Google or IMDB search for “Rudy Ray Moore,” and all your wished will be fulfilled. Some of his essential titles are “Dolemite,” “Avenging Disco Godfather” and “Petey Wheatstraw.”
Director Jamaa Fanaka’s movies are a good place to start as well, including the “Penitentiary” films with Leon Isaac Kennedy.
Also, be sure to get the music. A treasured part of my CD collection is “Pimps, Players and Private Eyes - Blaxploitation Themes of the '70s.”
Real title. It’s a Rhino collection.
Blackenstein. 
It may be hard to find, the only official release on video was a couple of years ago, but Ganja and Hess is really, really good.
Coffy, and Friday Foster are my favorite Pam Grier movies from back in the day.
Wow, a full CD of blaxsploitation theme songs? Bitchin’!
Oh yeah- Dolemite… “Bitch, are you for real?” 'nuff said.
How about “The Blunch Black of Blotre Blame”.
Okay, here’s one for you: “Black Shampoo”.
IMDB only gives it four stars, but I guarantee if you watch it with a couple of friends and a goodly supply of alcohol, you will not be disappointed!
Cotton Comes To Harlem and Come Back, Charleston Blue with the “Coffin” Ed Johnson and “Grave Digger” Jones characters are essential. Cool action, great 70s style, and very funny, although Come Back’s plot is definitely weaker, it’s still fun.
Across 110 Street is a popular blaxplotation favorite. The film is okay, IMO, but the soundtrack by Bobby Wommack is a must.
For a more serious film in the genre try Sweet Sweetback’s Badass Song directed by and starring Melvin Van Pebbles.
Can’t believe no one has mentioned Superfly with Ron O’Neal yet. Film and soundtrack are essential.
Truck Turner, Three The Hard Way, Slaughter are some others worth mentioning.
Other than that I’d suggest lots of Fred Williamson flicks, but they are very spotty, Black Caesar is supposed to be one of his better ones though.
Good luck and have fun.
That should be Across 110th Street, and I can’t spell “blaxsploitation” to save my life. Sorry.
And if you’re interested in parodies of Blaxpoitation films, there’s I’m Gonna Get You Sucka.
What, exactly, IS Blaxploitation? Sorry for the hijack, but I’ve yet to find an adequete explanation.
I’ts a style of film that has all or mostly black casts and deals with urban “ghetto” life in the 70s Sort of a low budget film noir…
Most of the characters were generally pimps/pushers or con artist with a heart of gold pulling the last big scam to retire ( super fly ect ) or the tough private eye that got every girl he met ( shaft) … They were violent films and tealt with prostution drugs drug dealing ect
But there the start of films like " juice" boys in tha hood"
Now For high budget blaxplotation check out bill cosbys films with sidney poiertoy <sp>
The early ones are pretty good but by the 80s they had become tired and cliche ridden as other styles of film and subsquently faded
Some one brings it back ina one shot deal or so occasionaly or makes a paraody like im gonna get you sucka
There are a whole series of blaxploitation compilations available. I quite enjoyed this series:
Blaxploitation, Volume 1
Blaxploitation, Volume 2: The Sequel
Blaxploitation, Volume 3: The Payback
There is also a ‘best of’ compilation from this series which I own, but I can’t find it on AllMusic.
If you ever get a chance to acquire copies of the classic early 70s program “Roll Out,” an Afro-American version of MAS*H, let me know. BET ran the series back in the 80s, but it’s been quite a while now.
I don’t know if this counts as Blaxploitation, but I enjoyed “Black Belt Jones”. Though it might fall more into the bad martial arts genre.