Main Cast: Evelyn Davis, Melvin Green Jr., Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Drew Bundi Brown, Joe Mascolo, Kathy Imrie
Release Year: 1972
Country: US
Run Time: 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This is the hurriedly produced sequel to Gordon Parks' trend-setting hit Shaft. Richard Roundtree is on hand once again, portraying "the cat who's a bad mutha." In this installment, Shaft investigates the murder of a well-respected Harlem figure and funeral-home director, Cal Asby (Robert Kya-Hill), who is blown to smithereens after stashing money in a coffin. Cal's funeral is attended by Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn), the local Harlem boss. Since Bumpy is attending Cal's funeral, Shaft suspects some dirty dealings between Bumpy and Cal's business partner Kelly (Wally Taylor). After the funeral, Shaft returns home to find that his place has been ransacked. Kelly arrives to inform him that he is taking over Cal's funeral-home business. When Kelly leaves, Captain Bollin (Julius Harris) makes an appearance and takes Shaft downtown for questioning about Cal's murder. Bollin reveals that Cal and Kelly were in cahoots -- running a numbers racket and involved with Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo), another local gangster. Bollin agrees to let Shaft go on the provision that he will inform him of any leads. Now Shaft must track down the real killer to get his Harlem neighbors off the hook. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Julius Harris - Capt. Bollin; Thomas Anderson - Preacher; Don Blakely - Johnson; Marilyn Hamlin - Mascola's Girl; Daniel P. Hannafin - Cooper; Bob Jefferson - Harrison; Robert Kya-Hill - Cal Asby; Rosaland Miles - Arna Ashby; Angelo Nazzo - Al; Joe Santos - Pascal; Wally Taylor - Kelly; Joyce Walker - Cigarette Girl; John Foster - Jerry; Gordon Parks - Croupier; Frank Scioscia - Rip; Evelyn Davis - Old Lady; Melvin Green Jr. - Junior Gillis
Credit
Emanuel Gerard - Art Director, David Golden - Associate Producer, Joseph G. Aulisi - Costume Designer, William C. Gerrity - First Assistant Director, Gordon Parks - Director, Harry Howard - Editor, Isaac Hayes - Composer (Music Score), Gordon Parks - Composer (Music Score), Isaac Hayes - Songwriter, Martin Bell - Makeup, Ronald M. Lautore - Camera Operator, Urs B. Furrer - Cinematographer, Roger Lewis - Producer, Ernest Tidyman - Producer, Lewis Tidyman - Producer, Robert Drumheller - Set Designer, Tony Parmalee - Special Effects, Lee Bost - Sound/Sound Designer, Hal Watkins - Sound/Sound Designer, Alex Stevens - Stunts, Marvin Walters - Stunts, Ernest Tidyman - Screenwriter, Lewis Tidyman - Screenwriter
