Before we move on to the great films and movie music of 1972, I realize I left out one of the best from 1971.
It's "SHAFT" the "blackploitation" flick that also contained an award-winning sound track and Number #1 hit record, written and recorded by Issac Hayes from Memphis.
The movie, starring Richard Roundtree, was one of only three films that made money for MGM in 1971. It grossed $13 million on a production budget of only $500,00. It was later selected for permanent preservation by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."
The sound track for the film won a Grammy for Best Original Score and an Oscar for Best Original Song. The theme song was not envisioned to be released as a single. But the public demand for a recording became so strong, it was released and rose to the top of the Billboard charts in November, 1971. It even reached #6 on the Easy Listening rankings. Later it was named the 38th greatest movie song ever by the American Film Institute.
Courtesy of YouTube, here it is, as it appeared in the opening credits of "SHAFT." Right on....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlsufZj9Fg
No comments:
Post a Comment