The Mack
| The Mack | |
|---|---|
 1982 theatrical re-release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Campus |
| Written by | Robert J. Poole |
| Produced by | Harvey Bernhard |
| Starring | Max Julien Richard Pryor Carol Speed Roger E. Mosley George Murdock |
| Music by | Willie Hutch |
Production company | Harbor Productions |
| Distributed by | Cinerama Releasing Corporation |
Release date | April 4, 1973 |
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3 million (rentals)[1] |
The Mack is a 1973 American blaxploitation film directed by California native Michael Campus, starring Max Julien and Richard Pryor.[2][3] The film also stars Oscar-nominee Juanita Moore, and Tony nominated actor Dick Anthony Williams. Filmed in Oakland, California the movie follows the rise and fall of Goldie. After returning home from a 5-year prison sentence, he returns home to find his brother involved in Black nationalism. Goldie decides to take an alternative path, striving to become the city's biggest pimp.
Though reviews were less than favorable upon initial release, The Mack is considered by many critics to be the best entry in its genre.[4] The film is often categorized as blaxploitation, but Michael Campus,[5] Max Julien,[6] and others involved in its production have argued that the genre label oversimplifies the film.
The film's soundtrack was recorded by Motown artist Willie Hutch.
Plot
After returning home from a five-year prison sentence, John "Goldie" Mickens, has a plan to achieve money and power in Oakland, California by becoming a pimp. Goldie's criminal ways juxtapose his brother Olinga's Black Nationalist efforts to save the community from drugs and violence. With Slim as his partner and Lulu as his head prostitute, he organizes a team of women and quickly rises to prominence. His success catches the attention of Fat Man, the heroin kingpin that Goldie worked for before heading to prison, and Hank and Jed, two corrupt and racist white detectives. Goldie refuses to work for Fat Man again, and dismisses the detectives' requests to stop his brother from ridding the streets of drugs. As a result, his mother is assaulted which eventually leads to her death. Even though Olinga is disappointed in Goldie because he "brought death to their house," he agrees to help him get revenge. They develop a plan with Slim to seek revenge, but their plans fall apart when Hank and Jed kill Slim at their rendezvous point. They reveal that they are responsible for Goldie's mother's death, causing Goldie and Olinga to kill them both. Realizing that Oakland is now too dangerous, Goldie hugs his brother goodbye and leaves the city on a charter bus.
Cast
- Max Julien as John "Goldie" Mickens
- Richard Pryor as Slim
- Juanita Moore as Mrs. Mickens
- Carol Speed as Lulu
- Roger E. Mosley as Olinga Mickens
- Dick Anthony Williams as Pretty Tony
- Don Gordon as Hank
- William Watson as Jed
- George Murdock as Fatman
- Paul Harris as Blind Man
Production
The original script for the film was written on prison toilet paper by a man named Bobby Poole. While staying in Oakland for two months, director Michael Campus met Frank Ward, a real pimp and drug dealer from Oakland. Max Julien's character of Goldie is based upon him. In order to shoot the movie, Campus needed Ward's permission, as a large portion of the scenes were in his territory. In exchange for his guidance and protection, Campus put Ward in the film. All of the homeless people, junkies, pimps and women in the film were supplied by Frank Ward.[7]
Although he had Ward's protection, the film was also in Black Panther territory. While they were filming bottles and trash cans would be thrown off the roof by Black Panther party members. In order for filming to run smoothly, an additional deal had to be made with Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, who were then put in charge of providing extras for the film. About halfway through the production of the film Frank Ward was shot and killed while in his Rolls Royce. There was speculation that the Black Panthers were responsible for Ward's death, so the filmmakers and cast relocated to safer areas for filming. Despite the tension, the film opening was held in Oakland with all of the proceeds going towards the Black Panthers' milk fund.[8]
Reception
The film was screened in theaters in only about 20 mostly black communities. Distributors avoided theaters in predominantly white neighborhoods due to a belief the film would do better in black areas. Despite its low distribution, director Michael Campus has noted that the film outgrossed The Godfather in the cities in which it played.[2]
Alternate score
In its original 1973 release from Cinerama Releasing and its 1978 reissue by AIP, The Mack featured a score by Willie Hutch. In 1983, Producers Distribution Company and Blossom Pictures reissued the film, to capitalize on the resurgent popularity of Richard Pryor and Roger Mosley (the latter a co-star on hit TV series Magnum P.I.), and commissioned a new score by Alan Silvestri featuring vocals by Gene McDaniels. The reissue poster advertised a soundtrack release on Posh Boy Records, but the album was released on the ALA Enterprises label; it is now out of print and highly collectible. To differentiate it from the original score, fans have referred to it as "The Mack and His Pack," based on a catch phrase used on the reissue poster. When the film was initially licensed to Embassy Home Entertainment for home video, the Silvestri score was present. The New Line DVD release restored the original Willie Hutch score to the film.
References in popular culture
- Chance the Rapper sampled "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" in "Lost (ft. Noname Gypsy)."[9]
- Chief Keef also sampled "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" in "Nobody", a collaboration with Kanye West.[9]
- A$AP Mob also sampled "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" in "Put That On My Set", from their collaborative album Cozy Tapes: Vol. 1: Friends.
- In a scene from True Romance the film is playing on a TV screen in the background when Clarence Worley, (played by Christian Slater), confronts Drexl Spivey, (played by Gary Oldman).
References
- ^ "Big Rental Films of 1973", Variety, 9 January 1974, pg 19.
- ^ a b "'The Mack' is back after 40 years". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ Dutka, Elaine (1997-06-30). "ReDiggin' the Scene". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ McLevy, Alex (June 23, 2018). "The Mack remains one of blaxploitation's most artistically ambitious films". The A.V. Club. Onion, Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ^ Walker, David; Rausch, Andrew J.; Watson, Chris (2009). Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810867062.
- ^ Nix, Laura (Director) (2002). Mackin' Ain't Easy (Motion picture).
- ^ "See Why Black Panthers Got Violent With Crew On "The Mack" Movie Set". I Love Old School Music. I Love Old School Music.
- ^ Walker, David; Rausch, Andrew; Watson, Chris (2009). Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow. p. 19.
- ^ a b "Listen to the Willie Hutch song both Chief Keef and Chance the Rapper sampled". Chicago Reader. Sun-Times Media, LLC.
External links
- The Mack at IMDb
- The Mack at Rotten Tomatoes
