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The Plot: ABAR: The First Black Superman begins when the Kincade family moves from the ghetto into an affluent white neighborhood. Just minutes after they arrive, the surrounding neighbors picket the house and trash the yard with garbage. This uproar is caught by news reporters and is played over the radio where John Abar (Tobar Mayo) hears it while at his Black Front for Unity office. Abar gathers the BFU members and heads to the upscale neighborhood in an attempt to help the Kincades.
Once Abar and his organization arrive at the house, we’re introduced to Dr. Kincade (J. Walter Smith) and his lovely wife Mrs. Kincade (Roxie Young) and their two young children. After speaking with each other, we learn that the doctor moved into the neighborhood in order to be closer to his work and to continue research on a serum he’s been working on. The serum itself is supposed to change mankind as we know it, according to the doctor.
The following day, Abar returns to the home and agrees to protect the doctor and his family until the neighbors calm down. As time passes, the situation becomes more and more dangerous for the Kincade’s. In one instance, Mrs. Kincade opens the front door of her home only to find the family pet slaughtered. In another instance, two white troublemakers drop a coffin in the front yard and proceed to beat Dr. Kincade. The final straw for the family is when their son is run over and killed by an angry neighbor. This incident drives the doctor to finish his serum giving it to Abar, making him invincible, a superman if you will.
The Takeaway: Prior to writing this review, I had never seen ABAR: The First Black Superman . I really had no idea what to expect with the film but was very excited to sit down and view it. I had seen my share of blaxploitation films prior to watching this, but none of those carried the message that ABAR: The First Black Superman preaches. The script looks at the separation of blacks in the ghetto, the social and economic differences between blacks and whites, the hatred between the two races and the cultural and political differences between them. The film also leans a lot on the Martin Luther King Jr. speech “I have a dream” as it plays often during the films run.
From a filmmaking standpoint, A BAR: The First Black Superman isn’t a very well made film. You’ll see your share of boom mics in frame, experience rough editing and will have to sit through some slow pacing. The film also takes a left turn at about the one-hour mark when Abar drinks the super serum. It’s almost like watching a whole different film at this point. Also, be aware that Abar’s superhero powers aren’t exactly like the Superman you may be familiar with. Abar can’t fly, he can’t bend bars or see through walls, nor can he run as fast as a speeding train. His super powers lie within his mind and his abilities to be able to change the negative reactions of the people around him. Last but not least, performances in ABAR: The First Black Superman are extremely poor as nearly every actor/actress struggle with their lines. Tobar Mayo as Abar is the exception to the rule (though he’s still a bit rough) as he had experience prior to signing on to the project.
Film Facts: ABAR: The First Black Superman was directed by Frank Packard, written by James Smalley (and J. Walter Smith for script changes) edited by Jack Tucker and shot by Victor Garcia (credited as Ron Garcia). The film was completed in 1974 and was distributed by Mirror Releasing in 1977 giving it a small theatrical release. The films delayed release was caused by distribution indifferences by American International Pictures and the filmmakers. American International Pictures eventually dropped the film and Mirror Releasing picked it up for distribution.
Frank Packard, James Smalley and J. Walter Smith never worked in the business again after ABAR: The First Black Superman . Jack Tucker went on to edit films such as Flatbed Annie & Sweetiepie: Lady Truckers (1979), Shogun (1980) and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988). Victor Garcia went on to shoot a lot of TV projects with the occasional film here and there. Tobar Mayo signed a $13,000 contract to perform in ABAR: The First Black Superman but was never paid for his work (nor was anyone else attached to the film). He currently manages and performs in his own theater group.
Thoughts In My Head: – Never paint the inside of your house bright RED – I wish they still delivered milk bottles directly to your front door – Never, ever, shave your eyebrows – If whitey is looking to kill you, you probably should lock your doors and windows – Snake has a marvelous beard – Do they still make Hamms beer? – I love GIANT AFRO’s
Favorite Badass or Badass Moment: Mind altering super-powers make Abar the Badass in this one Favorite Boobs or Boobs in a Scene: Sorry kids, no boobs in this one Favorite Death Scene: None – both deaths are uneventful
Boob Count: 0 pair Body Count: 2
IMDB Rating: 4.2 / 10 My Rating: 5.5 / 10
Final Thoughts: ABAR: The First Black Superman is unlike any blaxploitation film I’ve ever seen. Yeah, it’s a slow burn and the performances are lackluster, yet the ideas and topics presented are a must see if you enjoy this genre of film.
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Recent Posts EP155 – Porno Holocaust EP154 – The Astro-Zombies EP153 – Erotic Nights of the Living Dead EP152 – Miami Connection Drive-In Cult Cinema Collection Give-a-way EPB02 – Dinosaur Island EP151 – Contamination EP150 – The Legend of Boggy Creek EP149 – Sugar Hill EP148 – The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears EP147 – Bikini Drive-In EP146 – Hey Slappy (Jason X) EP145 – Savage Vengeance EP144 – Westworld EP143 – Gila! EP142 – The Killer EP141 – The Hamburger Pimp EP140 – Detroit 9000 EP139 – Viva Knievel! EP138 – Night of the Comet EP137 – The Amazing Transplant EP136 – Night of the Bloody Rapes EP135 – Virgin Witch EP134 – Hideout in the Sun EP133 – Skinner EP132 – They Call Her One Eye EP131 – The Devil Within Her EP130 – Louisiana Hussy EP129 – Zombeavers EP128 – Mamorial Day Special
EP155 – Porno Holocaust
EP154 – The Astro-Zombies
EP153 – Erotic Nights of the Living Dead
EP152 – Miami Connection
Drive-In Cult Cinema Collection Give-a-way
EPB02 – Dinosaur Island
EP151 – Contamination
EP150 – The Legend of Boggy Creek
EP149 – Sugar Hill
EP148 – The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears
EP147 – Bikini Drive-In
EP146 – Hey Slappy (Jason X)
EP145 – Savage Vengeance
EP144 – Westworld
EP143 – Gila!
EP142 – The Killer
EP141 – The Hamburger Pimp
EP140 – Detroit 9000
EP139 – Viva Knievel!
EP138 – Night of the Comet
EP137 – The Amazing Transplant
EP136 – Night of the Bloody Rapes
EP135 – Virgin Witch
EP134 – Hideout in the Sun
EP133 – Skinner
EP132 – They Call Her One Eye
EP131 – The Devil Within Her
EP130 – Louisiana Hussy
EP129 – Zombeavers
EP128 – Mamorial Day Special
Follow BB&BCs via Email Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Join 1,004 other followers
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