Cinequest offered up an ultra-raunchy, ultra-dope, fine, fine, superfine documentary on the life and times of Rudy Ray Moore, the Disco Godfather, the Human Tornado, or just simply Dolemite. From his beginnings as a recording artist, through his high life in the days of his movie career, to the days when he would appear on rap albums and TV programs, The Legend of Dolemite is as entertaining as the movies it details. Sections of the films are mixed with shots of risqué album covers, shots of his nightclub appearances, and interviews with everyone from the Late Easy-E, and Snoop Dog, to John Landis and Robert Townsend. Every interview gives the impression that Moore left a much bigger mark than anyone would have ever guessed.
The language is as rough as it could be. F-bombs, P-words, and even a few terms I’ve never come across pop up throughout the clips, though when they interview Rudy himself, he keeps it clean, and comes off as eloquent as Ozzy Davis would.
His manner is controlled, confident, and most of all, realistic. He objects to the term “blaxploitation” as crass, saying that no one ever accuses the Godfather of being Italploitation. He makes a good point, and the force of his words, combined with the strength of his personality, hits hard.
The documentary is made in a TV friendly style, with a look that could easily land it on HBO, the only choice as the language would make Tony Soprano himself blush. The look is clean, but there is still the edge of the Dolemite pictures evident in the composition of the interviews. Ice-T sits in a chair that looks like it could have been straight out of Petey Wheatstraw, in a suit that screams Dolemite far louder than it does Cop Killer.
His nightclub routines were detailed and show a man fast on his feet. Even now, well past 60, Rudy’s delivery is perfect, impassioned and harsh. His 30 minute set at Cinequest was brutal, targeting members of the audience for his stabs, and getting huge laughs from the entire audience. While the audience was made up of 80% Silicon Valley white folk, Rudy hit his target on every move, and went out to an amazing reception.
If you get a chance to see this film, do it. You can order The Legend of Dolemite on line. If you are looking for a lot of exploitation laughs, this is a sure-fire starting point. All in all, a great night that could have asked for a two drink minimum and I wouldn’t have complained.
