Super Fly (1972) - Gordon Parks Jr - Cinematic Flashback Podcast


This week, we’re rolling with Priest and his final score.
This week on The Cinematic Flashback Podcast, Chuck is joined by guest host Erin Mullinax to explore Super Fly (1972), directed by Gordon Parks Jr. and starring Ron O’Neal. A landmark of 1970s street-level style and social commentary, the film follows a Harlem drug dealer trying to leave the game on his own terms.
What We Talk About- Ron O’Neal’s performance and the enduring iconography of Youngblood Priest
- The legendary Curtis Mayfield soundtrack and how it elevated the film’s legacy
- The raw, on-location cinematography and shoestring production
- Erin’s take on the social message beneath the film’s surface cool
- Whether it still grooves or skips a beat in our final verdict
Erin explores the deeper social commentary hidden behind the film’s flash and swagger.
Why Listen?Super Fly wasn’t just a crime story—it was a cultural statement wrapped in a Curtis Mayfield groove. This episode unpacks how it worked then… and why it still hits today.
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CreditsMusic by: “1975” – Josh Kirsch / Media Right Productions
All video clips featured in this podcast are the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and analysis. No copyright infringement is intended.
00:00 - Super Fly (1972) Cinematic Flashback Podcast
00:05 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:30 - Guest Introduction: Erin Mullinax
00:46 - Erin's Connection to the Film
03:11 - Trailer
04:57 - Plot and Themes of Super Fly
08:03 - The Realism of Harlem in the 70s
09:30 - Blaxploitation Era and Cultural Impact
12:15 - Nate Adams and Philip Fenty
13:43 - The Superfly Car
15:59 - Funding and Production Challenges
22:41 - Freddies Dead
24:14 - The Man!
25:25 - Eddie's Skepticism and Scatter's Reluctance
25:51 - Priest and Eddie's New Partnership
26:34 - Curtis Mayfield's Impact on the Soundtrack
27:35 - The Success of the Super Fly Soundtrack
28:55 - Cynthia vs. Georgia
30:36 - Preview of the Film
32:48 - Blaxploitation and Its Influence on Cinema
37:41 - Final Thoughts and Recommendations