Guilty pleasure: Black Shampoo (1976)

In the fine tradition of commercial (read: white) films “re-contextualized” for Black audiences (Abby aka The Blaxorcist (1974), Blackenstein (1973), and Blacula (1972) just to name a few), comes a late entry in the game, Black Shampoo (1976). Loosely based on Hal Ashby’s Shampoo (1975), a Warren Beatty vehicle about the undoing of a libidinous hairdresser, Black Shampoo is a trashy, outrageous masterpiece. John Daniels (of the previous year’s superior Candy Tangerine Man) stars as Jonathan Knight, a Sunset Strip hairdresser and salon owner, known for his prowess with the ladies as much as he is for their coiffures. All goes well for Mr. Knight until, true to the Blaxploitation formula, he runs afoul of the Mob trying to protect his sexy receptionist. Soon the streets of Hollywood run red as super stud Knight dispenses of his adversaries in an unexpected grisly fashion. Filled with violence (the notable “chainsaw scene” is pictured below for your enjoyment), gratuitous sex, quotable one-liners and outrageous costumes, Black Shampoo is a highly entertaining bit of cinematic trash you’ll truly enjoy.