Film Review: BLACK EYE (1974)

"Why the Hell isn't this on DVD Yet?" -- Number 50

BLACK EYE (1974 Warner Brothers) Starring Fred Williamson, Teresa Graves, Rosemary Forsyth, Cyril Delevanti, Teddy Wilson, Richard X. Slattery, Richard Anderson, Floy Dean, Joanne Bruno, Nancy Fisher, Bret Morrison. Directed by Jack Arnold.

As the titular P.I., The Hammer is former cop Shep Stone, suspended from the force for strangling a pusher after his sister’s overdose. When his prostitute neighbor Fisher is murdered over the theft of an antique walking cane, Williamson’s investigation leads him to a porn studio and a drug ring. The situation is complicated further when Anderson hires him to find his runaway daughter (who has joined a religious cult). Meanwhile, Williamson faces unexpected competition for his sexy girlfriend Graves in the person of rich, powerful lesbian Forsyth.

The always in control Williamson of BLACK CAESAR, BUCKTOWN and THAT MAN BOLT is only occasionally in evidence here. BLACK EYE is a change of pace for the star, who is self-depreciating while dealing with his personal and professional struggles. He’s perpetually in debt but affable, not unlike Jim Rockford. Actually Rockford was better off financially.  At least Jim was working out of his trailer---Williamson’s “office” here is a neighborhood bar.  This Hammer is also less than assured in his love life: Williamson is geniunely confused by Graves' bisexuality, which he treats as something to cope with rather than an opportunity for a threeway (as say, Tommy Gibbs would have).

In addition to the atypical role for its star, BLACK EYE is also notable for a rare feature film appearance by the beautiful and talented Teresa Graves.  The Houston-born star got her start with a self-titled LP and a regular gig on LAUGH-IN after Goldie Hawn's departure, rapidly moving up to her own series (GET CHRISTIE LOVE!) and three supporting roles in features.  As Williamson's liberated lady, she's given insufficient screen time and saddled with some stilted lines to explain her preferences, but still exhibits undeniable charm and screen presence.  Sort of a Dolores Hart for the 1970's, Graves retired from show business at age 27 to devote her life to her religion just a year after BLACK EYE's release.  She'll likely get her own salute here at some point: suffice to say she was definitely headed for bigger things if she'd continued her Hollywood career.

Old pro Arnold (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON) was primarily a TV director by this time, save for the two features he did with Williamson (the other was BOSS NIGGER, also rarely seen, for more obvious reasons). He does a credible job staging the action, including a car chase (complete with Mustang) that borrows more than a little from BULLITT and several solid scenes of fisticuffs.

 

BLACK EYE will disappoint fans reading the story elements and anticipating copious amounts of nudity and violence.  For example, when Williamson visits the set of an adult film, the action stays off-screen.  As a result of its well-deserved PG rating and California locations, BLACK EYE differs little from the Barettas and Rockfords populating network TV at the time.  Still, with a solid story, interesting cast, and the star's willingness to tweak his screen image, it's a rarely seen changeup that is worth searching for.

So.....why isn't this on DVD yet?

Wasn't a hit when released, in part due to misleading marketing by Warners.  It was originally titled SHEP STONE but changed in an effort to capitalize on a Blaxploitation trend that was already fading when the film was released.

Why it should be on DVD:

The always welcome opportunity to see Teresa Graves, whose only other big screen appearances were in the aforementioned THAT MAN BOLT and VAMPIRA (aka OLD DRACULA).  The latter is also not on DVD, albeit for good reason (see review).

Also a chance to see Williamson in a slightly different light.  The ball is in Warners' court on this one, and since the long overlooked CLEOPATRA JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD recently saw DVD via the Archive, there's hope for the similarly unsung but deserving BLACK EYE.