June 18, 2025

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

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

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.

Connect With Us

Visit our Linktree for all platforms and contact info: https://linktr.ee/CinematicFlashbackPodcast

Credits

Music 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