Dolemite

Dolemite
Original one-sheet poster for Dolemite
Directed by D'Urville Martin
Produced by Rudy Ray Moore
Written by Rudy Ray Moore (story)
Jerry Jones (screenplay)
Starring Rudy Ray Moore
D'Urville Martin
Jerry Jones
Lady Reed
Hy Pyke
West Gale
John Kerry
Vainus Rackstraw
Music by Don Cornelius
Cinematography Nicholas Josef von Sternberg
Edited by Rex Lipton
Distributed by Dimension Pictures
Release date
  • April 26, 1975 (1975-04-26)
Running time
 90 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $100,000 (estimated)
Box office $12 million[1]

Dolemite is a 1975 American blaxploitation crime film, and is also the name of its principal character, played by Rudy Ray Moore, who co-wrote the film and its soundtrack. Moore, who started his career as a stand-up comedian in the late 1960s, heard around that time a rhymed toast by a local homeless man about an urban hero named Dolemite, and decided to adopt the persona of Dolemite as an alter ego in his act.[2]

Background

Moore featured the character of Dolemite on his 1970 debut album, Eat Out More Often, which reached the top 25 on the Billboard 200. He released several more comedy albums using this persona. In 1975, Moore decided to create a film about Dolemite, using many of his friends and fellow comedians as cast and crew. The film was directed by D'Urville Martin, who appears as the villain Willie Green.

Plot

Dolemite is a pimp and nightclub owner who is serving 20 years in prison after being set up by a rival, Willie Green. One day, his friend and fellow pimp Queen Bee helps him get out of jail, and plots with him to get revenge on Green.

Cast

  • Dolemite (Rudy Ray Moore): the protagonist of the movie. In the beginning of the movie, Dolemite is in prison on a bogus charge, having been framed by his rival Willie Green. He is later pardoned and released. Throughout the movie, Dolemite attempts to rekindle his reputation on the streets and reclaim his club, "The Total Experience".
  • Queen Bee (Lady Reed) runs a whorehouse of which Dolemite is referenced as the part-time owner on several occasions throughout the movie. Queen Bee is the only woman in Dolemite's household whom Dolemite speaks to as an equal.
  • Willie Green (D'Urville Martin): the antagonist. Willie Green is seen in the initial flashback as having a leading part in framing Dolemite. Green takes over Dolemite's club, "The Total Experience", while Dolemite is serving hard time. Green and the city's mayor, Mayor Daley, are in business together: Daley makes sure Green runs his operation with impunity, in return for Green getting black votes for the mayor's upcoming re-election.
  • Reverend Gibbs (West Gale): a black separatist, the Reverend leads a radical church in the "Fourth Ward." He tips off Dolemite regarding who set him up two years prior, as well as who is selling drugs to the community.
  • Mitchell (John Kerry): a corrupt detective who, under the direction of Mayor Daley and Willie Green, frames Dolemite and sends him to prison. When Dolemite is released, Mitchell and his partner White attempt to frame him again.
  • Blakely (Jerry Jones): an FBI agent who lurks in the shadows, and knows why Dolemite is out on the street. When the time comes, Blakely apprehends the corrupt detectives Mitchell and White and the corrupt mayor.
  • Creeper (Vainus Rackstraw): better known as the Hamburger Pimp, he is recognized by his dingy "white-T", characteristic pimp stroll, and constant begging for spare change and free food. The Creeper takes Dolemite to his humble abode and is assassinated after explaining the murder of Dolemite's nephew Little Jimmy.

Follow-ups

A sequel, The Human Tornado, was released in 1976. A second sequel, The Return of Dolemite, was released in 2002 and was later renamed The Dolemite Explosion for DVD release. A quasi-sequel, Shaolin Dolemite, starring Rudy Ray Moore as Monk Ru-Dee, was released in 1999.

Release

Critical reception

Reviews aggregate Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 64%.[3]

Home media

Dolemite was released to DVD on September 13, 2005 by Xenon Pictures and also as part of a boxed set (The Dolemite Collection) on the same date. A widescreen, high definition remastered version, from an original print of the film, was released on Blu-ray disc on April 26, 2016 by cult film preservationists Vinegar Syndrome. The Blu-ray also featured the previously released open matte version as an extra.

The character Dolemite is mentioned in songs released by Snoop Dogg.

Guitarist/Composer Scott Henderson has a song named "Dolemite" which features some audio clips from the original movie.

Also referenced in the song titled "Jackass" by Bloodhound Gang.

The MADtv sketch featured a fictitious Dolemite remake and several sequels.

Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard used scenes from the film in his music video for Got Your Money, which also features singer Kelis.

Clips from the film are featured in the 1996 comedy The Great White Hype with Damon Wayans' boxer character watching the film as part of his pre-fight routine.


In the Futurama episode "Jurassic Bark," Fry's dog Seymour is said to be encased in Dolemite, "the tough black mineral that won't cop out when there's heat all about."

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jet Magazine - Rudy Ray Moore Plans Sequel to Dolomite - December 11, 1975
  2. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2002-04-01). "Dolemite Tells Dirty Jokes, Warns Snoop Of His Mic Supremacy - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  3. ↑ https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dolemite/
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