When rap pioneer and nightclub comic par excellence Rudy Ray Moore first took his Chitlin’ Circuit act to the silver screen, few outside black neighborhoods noticed at first – but Dolemite was a box office smash. His films were cheap, quickly made and technically disastrous, but they have something Hollywood could never buy: a one-of-a-kind underground comedic persona. Here, Rudy plays the greatest pimp of them all; after two years in prison on trumped-up charges, Dolemite’s back on the street and ready to settle scores ("I've got an all-girl army that knows what to do! They’re foxy as hell and practice kung fu!"). Moore’s homespun poetry will ring in your head for days, and the image of his schlubby figure executing lazy karate kicks will bring smiles to your face. Years later, Dolemite remains one of blaxploitation’s greatest achievements.
In honor of Rudy Ray Moore's origins as a stand-up comic, this screening will be preceded by a comedy show starting at 11:00 pm hosted by Reginald Desjardins.