Black Belt Jones

Plot synopsis:
The Mafia learns that a new civic center will be built, and they buy all of the land for the site of the building—all except for one place: a karate school owned by Pop Byrd, Black Belt Jones' old friend. Pop Byrd had borrowed money from a local drug dealer, Pinky, in order to open his school. Pinky had been stealing money from the mafia and was forced to pay them $250,000 or get Pop's building for them. Pinky inflated the debt, with the intent of offering Pop the deal of trading his building in exchange for the debt being cleared. However, things do not go as planned, as Pop is accidentally killed by Pinky's men during an intimidation attempt. Before he dies, he states that he couldn't give them the building to settle his debt, because it did not belong to him, but to someone named Sydney. Pinky then decides to send his men to the karate school, to inform them of Pop's debt (inflated yet again) and attempt the same scheme. However, the thugs are beaten up by Black Belt Jones and the students. Meanwhile, a woman arrives to attend Pop's funeral, who is none other than Sydney, the daughter of the late Pop Byrd. After demanding to know what happened to her father, she is informed of the mafia's activities as well as her father's debt, but says she won't sell the building. Angered, she is determined to punish the people who caused her father's death. Informed of Sydney's martial arts prowess by Quincy, Black Belt Jones joins forces with her to "clobber the mob".
This film was followed by the 1976 release Hot Potato.

Tags: blaxploitation, cult, violence

Review:
Think "Chinese Connection" (Bruce Lee),  but 70's ghetto style!The sound track itself is a reason enough to see BLACK BELT JONES!
The most entertaining b-grade blaxploitation martial arts action movie ever made!.
There's no way on earth I'm gonna argue that 'Black Belt Jones' is a great movie, even a very good one, but no matter how silly and cheesy it gets it's a hell of a ride and lots of fun!
Let's face it this is b-grade exploitation fare deliberately designed to cash in on both the mid-70s blaxploitation boom and the success of Bruce Lee's martial arts classic 'Enter The Dragon'.
Dragon's director Robert Clouse (who also made the hugely enjoyable post-apocalyptic potboiler 'The Ultimate Warrior') took karate champion Jim Kelly, who co-starred with Lee and John Saxon in that film, and tried to start a spin-off franchise with him.
Kelly stars as Black Belt Jones who returns to the inner city karate school where he got his start after the death of his mentor Pop Byrd (the wonderful Scatman Crothers, who yes, kicks some butt before he is killed, a sight you'll never forget!).
It has everything from a bad romantic story to great fighting scenes and even a scene where for no apparent reason "Black Belt" smashes a man's guitar.
My favorite thing about this movie is that Black Belt Jones' job is to watch women jump on a trampoline, for which he seems to receive a hefty sum of money,judging by the size of his house.
If you want to see great fighting scenes and pretty bad acting then see this film..
Black Belt Jones stars Jim Kelly who's best known for his role in Enter the Dragon aside Bruce Lee, but don't expect the same kind of film.
The plot of the movie is simple and never gets in the way of the enjoyment of the film and such great lines as "You won't be back for more!
If you want some more, then come on back!" And if you like this movie, especially Jim Kelly's fighting, I'd suggest watching Three the Hard Way which, while not as amusing of a film, has some great Jim Kelly fight scenes in the same style as Black Belt Jones.
He and his friends, win the first battle, but the Mob and their henchmen are persistent.Jim Kelly Enter the Dragon, Three the Hard Way) is Black Belt Jones, and the action sequences certainly make up for the lack of acting ability.Ah, but it is Florida Seminole Gloria Hendry (Across 110th Street, Black Caesar, Slaughter's Big Rip-Off) that attracts me to the film, and she doesn't disappoint.Malik Carter (Cobra, Pervert!) as Pinky, the tool for the Mob was hilarious.
"Black Belt Jones" is one of the most fun movies to come out of the 1970s.
It's a rousing and funny mixture of martial arts action and blaxploitation as the cool-as-can-be title character (Jim Kelly) takes on all comers.
His long estranged daughter Sydney (Gloria Hendry) comes home to join BBJ and help him fight the good fight.Film director Robert Clouse, who'd worked with Kelly on the martial arts classic "Enter the Dragon", doesn't try to reinvent the wheel here.
Jim Kelly may not be in the class of Bruce Lee, but he does show some impressive martial-arts moves; his co-star, Gloria Hendry, more than holds her own.
After Richard Roundtree did "Shaft", and some others later, Jim Kelly puts his martial arts chops to the test in "Black Belt Jones".
Then of course Black Belt has his gymnast crew at the beach house who he trust very well, help him and Sydney deal with the Mafia who was helping Pinky get the school.
Enjoyed the music score, the choreography, and skills Jim Kelly put to make this movie awesome.
The opening sequence is one of the best ever in film history: great theme music, and Jim Kelly just kicks everyone's ass in sight, sometimes for no reason at all.
And for another a**-kick-a-thon with Afro Lee (Jim Kelly), check out the tour-de-force, "Three the Hard Way" and his time to shine with the mack, B.L., in "Enter the Dragon"..
When Poppa Byrd (Scatman Crothers) gets killed by an increasingly hapless cast of villains spearheaded by a Mafioso named Pinky, Jones enlists the help of his karate school students to clean up the streets and show the bad guys their 'propers'.
You can tell from the start that this cult classic is going to offer more grooves than moves, more day-glow than Tokyo, and hilariously sincere dialogue that will truly make you fall out of your seat laughing.This film does feature good-looking martial arts action.
Jim Kelly was previously best known for his performance in 'Enter the Dragon' as a martial arts champion who, along with Bruce Lee, discovers that there is more to the Invitational Competition than meets the eye.
His girlfriend, Sidney, takes no guff, the bad guys are easy to fool, the fight scenes mimic (exactly!) every Bruce Lee move ever recorded, and the brawls take place (somehow) in the local car wash.One scene to watch for - the amazingly talented lights off / lights on 'Damage At The Dojo' sequence.
Sort of picking up where "Enter the Dragon" left off, "Black Belt Jones" casts Jim Kelly as African-American martial arts expert "Black Belt" Jones trying to stop the mafia from taking over a martial arts training center once owned by friend Pop Byrd (Scatman Crothers).Obviously, the Me Decade was partly known for blaxploitation movies, but that's one of the things that made the decade so great.
Here, Jim Kelly really shows off his kicks (presumably learned by his character in "Enter the Dragon", also directed by Robert Clouse).Well, all that I can say is: fight on, brothers!
Black Belt Jones is a must for aficionados of martial arts films, blaxpoitation films, and cult films in general.
it's difficult to tell in this film; I have an acute feeling that everyone was just joking around and having a lot of fun), in which Jim Kelly aka Black Belt Jones (one of the greatest character names in cinema history, to be sure) ends the thing by shooting a bullet into a man's ass.
The opening scene, when "Belt" helps out the ambassador in the parking lot, sets the stage-the funky music, dopey bad guys, and slow-mo are more than one can ask for.Of course, the classic scene where he fights off La Cosa Nostra with the help of turning the lights on and off is a piece of work...somehow, his hat goes on and off throughout the scene...how's that?The over the top Pinky just completes the whole scene...I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good laugh..
Over-the-Top and A Lot of Fun. Black Belt Jones (1974) *** (out of 4)Pop Byrd (Scatman Crothers) owes some black men some money and these same black men just happen to owe the Mafia some cash.
When his daughter (Gloria Hendry) refuses to give up the building it's up to her and Black Belt Jones (Jim Kelly) to go after both gangs.BLACK BELT JONES isn't what you'd consider a good movie, technically speaking.
With that said, if you're a fan of the 70's blaxploitation and kung fu movies then there's no question that you'll enjoy this rather silly film that manages to keep a smile on your face from the opening scenes to the very last.
In between all of that are non-stop kung fu scenes as well as countless other bits of violence and silly dialogue.The most memorable thing about this film are the countless fighting scenes, which more times than not have Kelly doing battle against a dozen or so people.
These scenes where one bad guy after another comes out to fight are a lot of fun and it really gives you a chance to see how great Kelly was.
BLACK BELT JONES is certainly one of the better films to come from this mixed genre.
There were better blaxploitation pictures and there were better kung fu movies but this one here perfectly captured the best of both worlds and the end result is a film that's a lot of fun..
i think this film belongs to the genre of 70's blaxploitation/martial arts/action.regardless,i really enjoyed it.i thought it was a real blast.there's plenty of martial arts action.there's also a lot of funny scenes,some i'm sure are intentional,and some that might not be.the acting wasn't that bad,in my opinion.it wasn't Oscar Worthy or anything,but i don't think it was supposed to be.the music was kinda cheesy but it grew on me after awhile.this was actually the first movie i've seen of this genre.i picked it as part of a four pack of movies of the same genre.i'll definitely be checking out the other three very soon.The other three titles are "Black Samson","Hot Potato",and "Three the Hard Way".for me,Black Belt Jones is a 7/10.
The plot is a little messy but, in its basic blocks actually plays fairly straightforwardly since all that matters are that the baddies are trying to get their hands on some land currently housing a martial arts school run by Pop. The mafia and local hoods are behind it all but nobody reckoned on the involvement of one Black Belt Jones.
What follows is a series of fight scenes punctuated by swagger and funky jive talking from our hero and his friends.If you are in the mood for it it is actually pretty enjoyable and sticks in my mind as one of the better "fun" blaxploitation films I have seen mainly because it does enough to make me go with it and accept the genre standards rather than see them as limiting factors.
At times it is clever (I loved the "3 seconds light on/off" fight) while at others it is plain goofy (the car wash at the end) but they are all fun and engaging to watch even if they are not always that impressive.
The direction is pretty good as well and the while film is well put together with the well used and kicking soundtrack that one expects from the genre.Black Belt Jones is not a great film of course – mainly because of all the qualities that mark it out as a blaxploitation film from the 1970's.
Group of mafia people try to take over pops karate shop , with the mafia being big fat italians with cool 70s ,music shouting MAMMA MIA everywhere, and a group of blacks fighting to kick out a group of martial artists.
The main character black belt jones, sports the coolest afro and martial arts movie I have ever seen.Note this is not a serious film, it is based on hilarious performances and fight seens equal to the old batman fight scenes, "pok , pow, kabaoom" without the words.This film is best watched by a group of guys with a few beers as the chuckles will last through the entire film.
"Black Belt Jones" is a rather poor blaxsploitation film, but it does have a couple things going for it.
Because of these factors, it's worth a look if you like the genre or want a good laugh.The plot is a VERY generic and familiar one with Black Belt Jones working for some unnamed government agency out to bring down the mob.
The sum total effect of all this cheese is a fun picture that you like but you also can't take at all seriously--even if Kelly was very good with his kicking and punching.Very silly but actually a bit endearing as well..
If you are like me and thought the Williams character(played by Jim Kelly)did not get enough screeentime in Enter The Dragon then you will love Black Belt Jones!.
After appearing in Bruce Lee's blockbuster hit Enter The Dragon, Jim Kelly(who had a bit part as the ultra cool Williams)returns with ETD director Robert Clouse in Black Belt Jones.
Black Belt Jones is 70's action camp at its best.
Jim Kelly(RIP)was not the most talented actor, but more than made up for it by having a good build, great karate moves and one amazing afro.
Jim Kelly was definitely one cool cat and in this film totally invincible against out of shape Italian mobsters and Pinky's gang of goofballs who are after Papa Byrd's(Scatman Crothers)karate school.
Black Belt Jones is a great blaxsploitation film that turns the camp to eleven.
So do yourself a favor and watch Black Belt Jones and have yourself a great time..
From the super cool Jim Kelly in the main role, the numerous chop-socky fights, car chases and general mayhem to the absolutely side splitting humour throughout this is an absolute gem and a true pleasure to sit through from start to glorious finish.Director Robert Clouse who also directed Kelly in the classic Bruce Lee opus Enter The Dragon takes a far more light hearted approach here and delivers a film that blatantly doesn't take itself at all seriously (which proves to be a most sagacious decision).
Just check out the utterly hilarious scene for instance in which Kelly single handedly beats up a whole room of thugs by having his pal (played by the ever likable Alan Weeks) turn the lights on and off  the dialogue from the villains is guaranteed to leave you on the floor with laughter for sure!Other scenes of particular note (every single scene is great in fact!) include a number of funny brawls in Papa Byrd's (played by the welcome face of Scatman Crowthers who actually joins in the fight!) karate dojo, an amazing punch up in a train carriage during which Kelly manages to smash every opponent through separate windows in turn(!) and last but not least the classic soapy finale!A great assemble cast of highly recognisable faces including the aforementioned actors in addition to the likes of the lovely Gloria Hendry (Rosie Carver from the James Bond classic Live and Let Die), (Earl Jolly Brown - Whisper from the same film!), Malik Carter as Pinky (a character of comic genius!) Mel Novak (who also appeared in Bruce Lee's final unfinished Game Of Death as Stick) and keeping in with the Bruce Lee connection a brief appearance by Tang Soo Do champion Bob Wall (O'Hara from Enter The Dragon and Carl Miller from Game Of Death) who also choreographs the fight scenes in this film.What more can I add?
So the best man for the job is called in to clean up the mess with the mob: Black Belt Jones (Kelly)!
Black Belt Jones is classic 70's Blaxploitation all the way.
It's also completely great in its own right, and while it, surprisingly, has never been reissued on CD (as far as we know), there is a reissue LP that's floating around out there.It's easy to forget this, but Jim Kelly's actual name in the movie is Black Belt Jones.
So travel back in time to when Martial Arts was FUN and definitely see Black Belt Jones!
So travel back in time to when Martial Arts was FUN and definitely see Black Belt Jones!
Hip and smooth ace martial artist Black Belt Jones (a supremely affable and charismatic performance by Jim Kelly) takes on a bunch of no-count mobsters who want to take over an inner city karate school in the Watts area of Los Angeles.
While Kelly was no great acting talent, he DID have enough personality to carry a B-movie like this one- provided the director was on his game (which, in this case, he wasn't).
Kelly lucked out when Frazier laughed off the challenge.) (And it's interesting to note that very few of the "point" karate players went on to full-contact careers when full-contact karate became a reality...) The most glaring example of Kelly's limitations comes in BLACK BELT JONES when he faces off against a bunch of bad guys in a car wash: knee-deep in suds (which are very slippery), his kicking is even less impressive than normal; he literally seems afraid to lose his balance (which is understandable)- and the skinny stunt-double with the outrageously ridiculous afro wig is yet another example of Clouse's misdirection.
Following the phenomenonal success of "Enter the Dragon," director Robert Clouse and co-star Jim Kelly teamed up for this more tongue in cheek martial arts flick, "Black Belt Jones." Released in 1974 and distributed by "Warner Bros," Jim Kelly was given his first and best leading role.
In the case of Jim Kelly however, he can certainly put on a good show and he does in "Black Belt Jones." One of the best examples of this, is when he takes on a group of corrupt police officers at a car park.
Robert Clouse does a good enough job in the directing but Bruce Lee is sorely missed when it comes to the fight choreography.
And one of the few people who can help her do both is a student of Papa Byrd named "Black Belt Jones" (Jim Kelly).
First, although I didn't mind the fact that this martial arts movie also doubled as a Blaxploitation film, I thought the romantic scene between Sydney and Black Belt Jones was rather clumsy and the fight scene at the very end was much too long and boring.
In the scene where Black Jones whips up the spaghetti guy named Plaza, he says.
In the last scene the bad guy tries to drop Jones with an iron hand, then his woman screams: "watch out for the hand Jim"!