Dolemite (1975)

A blaxploitation classic, though at times verges on self-parody even for this ridiculous genre! Dolemite (Rudy Ray Moore) is a pimp released from gaol on a secret mission to stop his rival and the corrupt cops who put him in there in the first place. His method of carrying out the mission is basically moving from set-piece to set-piece (usually a brothel) and getting into various fights amid a deluge of bad language...

It is a compelling film for sure as Dolemite hunts down his rival Willie Green (D'Urville Martin) and discovers who is the big name pulling the strings behind the scene. Dolemite is assisted by his girl Chi, his madame Queen Bee (Lady Reed) and an uncover FBI agent (Jerry Reed). The film is pretty violent (though much of it rather inept) and full of wacky characters including the crazed Mayor (Hy Pyke) and a horny gun-running Reverend (Wesley Gale).

The film is a comedy and should be treated and enjoyed as such. The plot is basic, the acting almost universally poor, the action fumbling and clumsy, the film making rough and cheap. The film is brilliant of course.

Dead Man's Evidence (1962)

A low wattage but interesting spy drama. When a frogman washes up on a beach in Ireland, Agent Baxter (Conrad Phillips) is sent to see if the dead man is missing agent Fallon (Ryck Rydon). There is a double agent in the Department and the suspicion is Fallon could be that man. Baxter arrives in Ireland (which is mostly free of dodgy accents and stereotypes thankfully) and meets Linda (Jane Griffiths) who found the dead man...

Baxter wants a ring that was found on the frogman but was missing when the body was taken to the morgue. Gay (Veronica Hurst) was also present when the body was found and seems to know a mysterious bearded man who indeed turns out to be Fallon. However, this film has a tremendous twist...

So a great twist, the problem is the film is a bit of a slog to get there. There isn't a great deal of action apart from a few scuffles. As the film progresses the behaviour of the principals (especially Baxter and Linda) becomes stranger and stranger, which ultimately makes sense.

The Last Shark (1981)

A pretty shameless Jaws rip-off. The annual wind-surfing regatta is due, which the Mayor (Joshua Sinclair) is planning to use for his re-election campaign. But... a huge angry Great White Shark is also moving in on the area. The rather unusual pairing of horror writer Peter Benton (James Franciscus) and grizzled sea dog Ron Hamer (Vic Morrow) try to get the regatta called off but the Mayor has put a whole year has work has gone into it apparently (must have a small staff). The regatta goes ahead... and the shark gatecrashes.

The hunt is therefore on for the shark. Unfortunately for the seaside town the various attempts by Peter and Ron, a bunch of kids and the Mayor in a helicopter end in failure/death basically because they seem to involve dangling lumps of meat in the water and then not knowing what to do next...

It is nonsense and rather silly. The shark easily outwits the dumb humans. The special effects arn't too bad though cheaper than... the other shark movie. It isn't that bad a movie, just a bit unoriginal. The way Peter finally finds to defeat the shark is quite inventive though...

How to Undress in Front of Your Husband (1937)

A strange little piece of sexploitation. Women have known how to dress for ages, the narrator (Albert van Antwerp) tells us but many women can't undress. While a peeping tom (Hal Richardson) looks on with his camera, we see two different women as they undress and get ready for bed. 

Elaine Barrie is all grace. With effortless ease she undresses, a masterpiece in lingerie. Trixie Fraganza is the complete opposite. More a dump truck than a graceful swan. That is it basically. There is a little bit of mild nudity, some dodgy humour and even dodgier stereotypes. Very odd and very much of it's time!

Top of the Heap (1972)

An interesting, if disjointed, tale of racism, patriotism and mental health. George (Christopher St John) is a tough black cop who is looked over for promotion. He also has trouble at home with his nagging wife (Florence St Peter) and teenage daughter, his thoughts keep slipping into an odd fantasy where he is an astronaut on the Moon...

The film is quite unusual, not so much a crime drama, more a commentary of the times. George is disturbed by the disrespect for the US flag he sees in every corner and the obstacles put in his way by The Man. In truth the film is a little awkward, the good ideas lost in a rather erratic execution and the surreal astronaut daydreams which sometimes drag. 

The film is an interesting piece of social and political commentary but not that interesting a watch.