Thomas Carter Movies
An inner-city Chicago community comes together to save their neighborhood from destruction in this '70s era blaxploitation-comedy. The construction of a proposed expressway would tear up their urban home, so a massive block party is planned to protest the action. Meanwhile, fast-talking scam artist Daddy Foxx (Yaphet Kotto) has taken a group of unemployed young men under his wing and is teaching them the tricks of his trade. Foxx's best pupil is 14-year-old Baby D (Kirk Calloway), much to the chagrin of his older brother, Win (Randy Brooks), a drummer who can't land a decent gig. After Win's drum kit and apartment get trashed, he finds no recourse but to join up with Foxx himself, so the gang proceeds to pull various cons on other local crooks. This annoys fellow street hustler Goldie (Rudy Ray Moore), but ultimately everyone has to put their differences aside and cooperate to make sure that their neighborhood isn't demolished by the city's bulldozers. It takes a lot of funky music, cream pies in the face, and petty theft, but together they stand their ground. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yaphet Kotto, Rudy Ray Moore, (more)
- 1976
In this drama that was a UCLA student thesis expanded to feature length, two African-Americans come from Tennessee to Los Angeles. The man will not marry the woman as he has just been released from prison and cannot commit himself. He ends up working in a factory, while she gets a job as a maid. The two split up after he gets involved in a strike. She goes to school but ends up laid off from a good paying job. Later the two meet again. Both are surprised by the great changes in their lives since they have been apart. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mel Rosier, Gammy Burdett, (more)
- 1976
Feeling that the recently widowed Florida (Esther Rolle) is spending too much time home alone, the Evans kids cancel their own plans to spend the evening with their mom. Much to their surprise, however, Florida has already accepted the invitation of her friend Willona (Ja'net DuBois) for a night on the town. Upon arriving at a singles bar, Florida catches the eye of a handsome widower named Ben (Julius Harris). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
