Badasses, Boobs and Body Counts
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The Plot: Sugar Hill begins when we meet Diana ‘Sugar’ Hill (Marki Bey) and her boyfriend Langston (Larry Don Johnson). We quickly see that Langston owns a popular money making club and that he and Sugar are madly in love. We’re next introduced to a small group of gangsters who want part of the clubs action. After refusing to sell the club, the gangsters come back later that night and kill Langston.
Next we’re introduced to Valentine (Richard Lawson) who is a friend of Sugar’s and also her ex-boyfriend. Valentine is a police investigator who is in charge of the Langston murder case. After this meeting, Sugar finds herself deep in the swamps looking for a voodoo priestess named Mama Maitresse (Zara Cully). She then asks Mama to cast a spell on the men who killed Langston and in doing so, Mama calls on the dead Baron Samedi (Don Pedro Colley) who in turn brings to life a small army of zombies.
Once Sugar gives her soul in exchange for the small army of zombies, she begins to hunt down the gangsters who killed her man. At one scene after the zombies kill a couple of gangsters, Valentine finds some evidence that points at the possible killer. But this evidence doesn’t sit right with Valentine as the coroner informs him that the killer is possibly already dead. Will Valentine get to the bottom of the murders before Sugar finishes off the gangsters?
The Takeaway: This was the first time I had seen Sugar Hill . Being a huge fan of exploitation, blaxploitation and cult films in general, I’d often heard how good this film was so it was time to sit through it. Being a fan of Richard Lawson also helped propel my interest in seeing it as well. The story of Sugar Hill is basically one of revenge, something we’ve seen time and time again in this type of film, yet it manages to work rather well here. Marki Bey as Sugar puts together a wonderful performance as does Richard Lawson as the police investigator Valentine. Robert Quarry as Morgan plays a convincing ‘mob father’ and you may recognize him as he played Count Yorga (1970) a few years earlier. The films direction, pacing, editing and score are all above average making Sugar Hill better than your “A” typical blaxploitation horror film. And while the film isn’t frightening or scary per-say, it does wreak of creepy atmosphere at times giving it that feel of horror, even if it’s more of a revenge film.
Film Facts: Sugar Hill was directed by Paul Maslansky and written by Tim Kelly. It was said to have had a budget of $350,000 and was released in February of 1974 by American International Pictures (AIP). The film was shot in and around Houston, Texas and was Robert Quarry’s last AIP film. Quarry is best known (at least in the horror genre) for his role of Count Yorga the vampire. As a director, Maslansky only directed one film, Sugar Hill . As a producer, Maslansky’s resume is full of successful genre films such as Raw Meat (1974), Race with the Devil (1975) and Police Academy (1984) to name a few. As a writer, Kelly would only pen a small handful of other titles prior to Sugar Hill .
As gorgeous and talented as Marki Bey was, she only worked in the business up until 1979, mostly in TV, playing bit parts or supporting roles. Richard Lawson moved onto TV and film and over the years and has made a name for himself in the business. You may have seen him in Shaft (1973 – TV series), All in the Family (1977 – TV series) and Magnum, P.I. (1984 – TV series). For fans of the horror genre, Richard is probably best know for his role of Ryan, in Poltergeist (1982). I grew up watching Richard in all the above mentioned titles and love everything he’s worked in.
Thoughts In My Head: - COUNT YORGA! - There he is, one of my favorites, Richard Lawson. Love that afro! - ‘Sugar’ is one good look’n woman - Some pretty creepy music inside of Mama Maitresse’s place - Holy shit, take it easy whitey. Hope this construction dude gets whats coming to him - Damn, Sugar looks good in this white outfit - Robert Quarry, this dude can act - Oh, a fight between two hot chicks - Don Pedro Colley is brilliant in his role as Baron Samedi - OMG, I want that cane Baron Samedi is holding. - Sugar is HOT! - HAHA, awesome, a cursed chicken leg - Not only is Sugar sexy, she’s smart too - Morgan, as racist as he is, still has good taste in women (as he hits on Sugar) - Zombie massage, not good at all - Damn, look at that shirt and tie Valentine is wearing (white polka-dot shirt/red tie) - Revenge is sweet, especially when it comes from Sugar - Don Pedro Colley as the Baron nearly steals the film from Marki Bey with his over-acting, just brilliant - Quick-sand, Nooooooooo - Damn you Samedi, I wanted that cane!
Favorite Badass or Badass Moment: Diane ‘Sugar’ Hill Favorite Boobs or Boobs in a Scene: Sorry kids, no boobs in this one Favorite Death Scene: Though not violent, the thought of getting eaten alive by pigs is disturbing
Boob Count: 0 pair Body Count: 8
IMDB Rating: 5.5 / 10 My Rating: 7.0 / 10
Final Thoughts: Sugar Hill is the perfect example of how good blaxploitation horror films could be. Now admittedly, this sub-genre of the blaxploitation genre, is a small one, thus propelling Sugar Hill to the top given the other films in said category. Regardless of this, and placing Sugar Hill outside of the genre that it lives in, it’s is an outstanding horror/revenge film that shouldn’t be missed.
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Brian November 29, 2012 @ 12:38 pm I can’t believe you don’t get to see her sugar hills. Reply Mike November 29, 2012 @ 12:40 pm I was a little surprised that there was no nudity in this one. Maybe Marki bey wasn’t up to the task, not exactly sure. Reply
I can’t believe you don’t get to see her sugar hills.
Mike November 29, 2012 @ 12:40 pm I was a little surprised that there was no nudity in this one. Maybe Marki bey wasn’t up to the task, not exactly sure. Reply
I was a little surprised that there was no nudity in this one. Maybe Marki bey wasn’t up to the task, not exactly sure.
mistylayne December 4, 2012 @ 6:56 pm Just added it to my queue! Reply Mike December 4, 2012 @ 10:35 pm Woohoo! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Reply
Just added it to my queue!
Mike December 4, 2012 @ 10:35 pm Woohoo! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Reply
Woohoo! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
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