A comprehensive deep dive into the film that ignited a genre!

Shaft (1971) wasn’t just a movie; it was a cultural phenomenon that redefined Black masculinity on screen and launched the Blaxploitation era. But did you know its star, Richard Roundtree, was paid only $7,000 for the iconic role?

In this episode of REEL ONE, host Jenelle Troxell sits down with acclaimed film historian and author Josiah Howard (Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide) to uncover the incredible story behind Shaft. They explore how the success of a low-budget comedy,Cotton Comes to Harlem, opened Hollywood’s eyes to the power of Black audiences and paved the way for a cinematic revolution.

Join them for a compelling discussion on:

• The creation of a new Black anti-hero, a stark contrast to the roles of Sidney Poitier
• How director Gordon Parks fought to keep the main character Black after the studio considered casting white actors like Steve McQueen.The crucial role of Isaac Hayes’s Oscar-winning theme song in cementing the film’s legendary status.
• How Shaft became a rare crossover hit, embraced by white audiences and reaching #1 at the box office.
• The complex legacy of the Blaxploitation genre, including its challenges with violence, misogyny, and language.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the film, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how Shaft became more than a movie—it became a landmark in film history.

 
TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS: 0:00 Richard Roundtree’s Shockingly Low Salary for Shaft 1:38 What is Blaxploitation? The Film Before Shaft 3:33 The Impact of Isaac Hayes’s Oscar-Winning Soundtrack 4:09 Shaft vs. Sidney Poitier: A New Kind of Black Hero 5:05 The Fight to Keep John Shaft a Black Character 7:06 How Merchandising & Music Made Shaft a Phenomenon 8:25 How Shaft Differentiated Itself from Other Genre Films 9:07 The Incredible Story of Richard Roundtree’s Audition 12:08 Challenging & Reinforcing Black Masculinity 14:36 The Trap of an Iconic Role: “He Wasn’t Richard Roundtree, He Was Shaft” 16:10 What About the Modern Shaft Remakes? 18:31 The Role of Violence in Blaxploitation Cinema 22:54 Was the Violence in Shaft Cathartic for Audiences? 26:25 John Shaft as the “Black Superman” 32:34 Would Shaft Exist Without its Iconic Music? 36:59 Inheritances from Classic Film Noir 44:21 Navigating the Black & White Worlds 49:31 Richard Roundtree’s $7,000 Contract and Why He’d Have Done it “For Free” 53:00 Favorite Scenes & On-Set Injuries 57:51 The Enduring Legacy of Shaft

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Josiah Howard is a film historian and the author of several books, including

“Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide” purchase here:https://a.co/d/7ZIU2gj

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What’s your favorite scene from Shaft? Let us know in the COMMENTS below!

CREDITS: Recorded at Open Stage Media Studios

Directed and edited by Zebulon Schmidt
 

Produced by Paul Kazee
 

#Shaft #Blaxploitation #RichardRoundtree #FilmHistory #JosiahHoward #GordonParks #IsaacHayes #70sMovies #BlackCinema #FilmAnalysis #REELONEPodcast