Main Cast: Albert J. Baker, Thomas C. Carroll, Judy Hanson, Peter Harrell III, Larry D. Johnson, Charles Krohn, Walter Price, Ray Simpson, Marki Bey, Robert Quarry, Don Pedro Colley
Release Year: 1974
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
In this blaxploitation horror movie, a young woman enlists the aide of a voodoo priest to help her get revenge upon the gangsters who killed her lover. With a few incantations and magical spells, the priest raises an army of zombies. Later the film was cut and shown on TV as The Zombies of Sugar Hill. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Review
This fusion of blaxploitation and horror is an inspired and surprisingly effective little programmer. Tim Kelly's script isn't heavy on characterization or dramatic depth but it does have a tight, well-crafted plot that plays out with the precision of a vintage E.C. Comics horror story and plenty of quotable dialogue. Marki Bey's performance is a little rough around the edges but she gets by nicely on a combination of her striking looks and a sense of commitment to the character. Her work is supported nicely by an intense yet slyly humorous performance from Don Pedro Colley as the sorcerer who assists the heroine and a deliciously nasty turn by Robert Quarry as the mean-spirited, playboy-styled villain. Most importantly, Sugar Hill boasts skillful direction by producer-turned-director Paul Maslansky: he keeps the pace lean, piles on the atmosphere and deploys the film's many shock setpieces with energy and a nice level of dark humor. In short, Sugar Hill is a gem for horror and blaxploitation fans alike and worthy of rediscovery by cult movie fanatics. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Tony Brubaker - Head Zombie; Zara Cully - Mama Maitresse; Ed Geldart - O'Brien; Richard Lawson - Valentine; Betty A. Rees - Celeste; Charles Robinson - Fabulous; Jack Bell - Parkhurst; Albert J. Baker - George; Thomas C. Carroll - Baker; Judy Hanson - Masseuse; Peter Harrell III - Police Photographer; Larry D. Johnson - Langston; Charles Krohn - Capt. Merrill; Walter Price - Preacher; Ray Simpson - King
Credit
Paul Maslansky - Director, Carl Kress - Editor, Dino Fekaris - Composer (Music Score), Nick Zesses - Composer (Music Score), Robert Jessup - Cinematographer, Samuel Z. Arkoff - Producer, Elliot Schick - Producer, Tim Kelly - Screenwriter
