Shaft (1971 film)

Shaft is a 1971 blaxploitation film about a detective, John Shaft, who travels through Harlem and to the Italian mob in order to find the missing daughter of a black mobster. Directed by Gordon Parks. Written by Ernest Tidyman and John D. F. Black, based on the novel by Tidyman. If you want to see Shaft, ask yo' Mama.taglines John Shaft Don't let your mouth get your ass in trouble. When you lead your revolution, whitey better be standing still because you don't run worth a damn no more. You are one wise Caucasian, Vic. Get on the phone. We're gonna need some more brothers - with guns this time! Vic Androzzi Something's on the boil, John. I just want to know what it is before we need an adding machine to start countin' up the bodies. I'm not asking you to sell out. Just - tell me the name of the game so I know the rules. Other Linda: [to Shaft] You're really great in the sack. But, um, you're pretty shitty afterwards, you know that? Dialogue Vic Androzzi: How come a couple-a cats from Harlem come downtown this morning looking for John Shaft? John Shaft: Well, they're soul brothers. They came down so I could teach 'em the handshake. Vic Androzzi: They find ya? John Shaft: Of course. I wasn't hiding. Vic Androzzi: If you find out anything, give me a call. I'm still at the 38th Precinct. John Shaft: Right on! John Shaft: Sorry, I can't make it. Ellie Moore: You got problems, baby? John Shaft: Heh. Yeah, I got a couple of 'em. I was born black... and I was born poor. Ben Buford: A lot of hyped-up black people give you that money you're spendin', pimp! Bumpy Jonas: Don't you try to bullshit me, boy. We're all on the hustle. I sell broads and dope and numbers. You sell crap and blue sky. It's all the same game. John Shaft: It looks like war comin', huh? Vic Androzzi: It's a bad thing, John. Mafia against Bumpy. I mean, it's hood against hood - on the inside. On the outside, it's black against white. It could be, we could have tanks and troops on Broadway, if this thing breaks open. Sergeant Tom Hannon: Hey, where the hell are you going, Shaft? John Shaft: To get laid — where the hell you going? Mafia contact: I'm lookin' for a nigger named John Shaft. John Shaft: Just found him - wop. Sit down. Mafia contact: I'm supposed to take you to visit a lady. Come on. John Shaft: I haven't finished my espresso. Why don't you have some. Maybe they'll put a little garlic in it, if you're nice. Mafia contact: No thanks. But you go ahead. We've even got time for you to have your soul food. John Shaft: Warms my black heart to see you so concerned about us minority folks. Vic Androzzi: Oh come on Shaft, what is it with this black shit, huh? [Vic holds a black pen up to Shaft's face] Vic Androzzi: You ain't so black. John Shaft: [Holds a white coffee cup next to Vic's face] And you ain't so white either baby. John Shaft: Hey, baby. Please close the door, huh? Linda: Hey, close it yourself, shitty. Bumpy Jonas: [answering his phone] Wrong number. John Shaft: Don't bull me, man. I got the right number. This is Shaft. Bumpy Jonas: How'd the hell you get this number? John Shaft: Off a bathroom wall in the god damn subway! Bumpy Jonas: When will I hear from you? John Shaft: When I got something to say. Willy: Got to see if you're clean before you can see the Man. John Shaft: [laughs] Better get yourself six more helpers then, Willy. Willy: That's how it's done. John Shaft: Who searches you? Willy: Nobody. John Shaft: Then get the same cat to search us. Willy: Listen, Snow White. Me and you gonna tangle, sooner or later. Did you hear what I say? John Shaft: Why don't you stop playing with yourself, Willy? You ain't gonna do SHIT! Ellie Moore: I love you. John Shaft: Yeah, I know. Take it easy. Vic Androzzi: What'cha got? John Shaft: I got laid. John Shaft: [on telephone] Vic, your case just busted wide open. Vic Androzzi: So close it for me. John Shaft: Cut the crap man, this is Shaft. Looks like you gonna have to close it yo'self, shitty! [cackles maniacally] Theme song Isaac Hayes: Who's the black private dick / That's a sex machine to all the chicks? Chorus: Shaft! Isaac Hayes: You damn right. / Who is the man / That would risk his neck for his brother man? Chorus: Shaft! Isaac Hayes: Can ya dig it? / Who's the cat that won't cop out / When there's danger all about? Chorus: Shaft! Isaac Hayes: Right on! / You see, this cat Shaft is a bad mother— Chorus: Shut your mouth! Isaac Hayes: But I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft! Chorus: Then we can dig it! Isaac Hayes: He's a complicated man, / But no one understands him but his woman. Chorus: John Shaft! Taglines If you want to see Shaft, ask yo' Mama. The mob wanted Harlem back. They got Shaft...up to here. SHAFT's his name. SHAFT's his game. Hotter than Bond, Cooler than Bullitt. Cast Richard Roundtree - John Shaft Moses Gunn - "Bumpy" Jonas Drew Bundini Brown - Willy Charles Cioffi - Lieutenant Vic Androzzi Christopher St. John - Ben Buford Gwenn Mitchell - Ellie Moore Lawrence Pressman - Tom Hannon Victor Arnold - Charlie Tony King - Davies Sherri Brewer - Marcy Jonas Rex Robbins - Rollie Camille Yarbrough - Dina Greene Margaret Warncke - Linda Joseph Leon - Byron Leibowitz Arnold Johnson - Cul Alan Weeks - Gus Antonio Fargas - "Bunky" Ed Bernard - Peerce Gordon Parks - Apartment Landlord [uncredited] External links 0067741 Shaft Category:Neo-noir Category:Films set in New York City Category:United States National Film Registry films Category:Blaxploitation films Category:1971 American films Category:1971 English-language films Category:American action thriller films Category:American crime thriller films Category:American exploitation films Category:American mystery films Category:Films based on American novels