One of the only blaxploitation films produced, written and directed by Black artists, "Melinda" poster

blaxploitation film Melinda

Broadside

[Blaxploitation] Melinda was groundbreaking as one of the first and only blaxploitation films to be produced, written and directed by Black artists. Large original vintage theatrical movie poster for Melinda, 1972. Measures 27" x 41" in vibrant color. This revenge thriller centers on an womanizing Los Angeles DJ (Calvin Lockhart) who falls hard for the title character (Vonette McGee), a beauty who's just arrived from Chicago. This was Hugh Robertson's feature directorial debut. MGM gave him the assignment as a reward for his brilliant editing of the previous year's "Shaft." It also marked the film debut of actor Jim Kelly, a major black actor known for his martial arts movies including Enter the Dragon and Black Belt Jones. Melinda was the first “film noir” drama that Lonnie Elder III scripted, and prior in 1969, Elder III won a Drama Desk Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his groundbreaking play, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (1969). At the time of his win, he was also the director of the Negro Ensemble Company. Image features a large portrait of Lockhart and McGee. Cast, title, director, additional production credits and MGM Logo are features near the bottom of the poster. Light center fold lines and small pinholes in corners from display. Otherwise colors and bright and original poster is in very good condition.

Item #19977

Price: $225.00