Review of The Black Godfather

Wise old numbers king Nate Williams (affably portrayed by legendary blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon) reigns supreme over a gritty ghetto urban jungle. Nate makes shrewd pimp J.J. (well played with fiery aplomb by Rod Perry) his righthand man. J.J. in turn declares war on evil white heroin drug lord Tony Burton (a smoothly hateful Don Chastain). J.J. enlists the aid of passionate black militant leader Diablo (essayed with fierce gusto by Damu King) to rid the neighborhood of smack. Writer/director John Evans delivers plenty of snappy, profane dialogue, a decent smidgen of gratuitous nudity, and occasional outbursts of exciting action (a wild karate fight between two women rates as the definite stirring highlight). Nice supporting performances by Diane Sommerfield as J.J.'s sweet girlfriend Yvonne, Duncan McLeod as corrupt, on the take cop Lt. Joe Sterling, Tony Burton as Nate's loyal, volatile body guard Sonny Spyder Brown, John Alderman as wormy, stuttering dope pusher Cockroach, and Anny Green as Tony's sassy blonde moll Honey. Jack Steely's rough, grainy cinematography, the well-drawn main characters, and the soulful groovin' score by Phil Moore and Martin Yarbrough further enhance the funky fun of this enjoyable blaxploitation item.