MARIO GAUCI Another horror classic receives the Blaxploitation treatment; wisely, the producers recruited for the task the director of the most sustained effort in this vein, namely the original BLACULA (1972). While not emerging a success on a similar level, the film under review is still a reasonably interesting one. The main reason for this is that it keeps a generally sober approach throughout (apart from the caricatured depiction of pimps) and the central performances (notably Bernie Casey and Marie O'Henry) are as committed as can be expected under the circumstances. As in the horrid BLACKENSTEIN (1973), the script contrives to incorporate some half-baked form of social commentary: the effects of substance abuse (since here the doctor injects himself rather than drinks a potion) and – less successfully, given Stan Winston(!)'s ludicrous make-up – race relations (Dr. Pride, as the protagonist has been renamed, turns white as a result of the drug!). Perhaps the most unexpected trait allotted the transformation in this case is "Hyde"'s unearthly shriek, which is effective at first but does begin to grate with the repetition! Unlike in previous versions, too, this monster (apart from the typical savagery of his depredations, at one point, he is made to throw a prostitute clear across the street!) proves remarkably resilient in being put down – necessitating attacks by police dogs, innumerable gun-shot wounds and, finally, a leap from L.A.'s oddly-shaped Watts Tower. Rosalind Cash (from THE OMEGA MAN {1971}) appears as Pride's conservative colleague-cum-neglected fiancée.

jaguiar313 Blacksploitation classic tells the story of Dr. Henry Pryde (Bernie Casey) who is working tirelessly to find a cure for liver disease. He develops a serum that shows potential but, he can't perfect it without human experimentation. After a failed test on a dying woman, Henry decides to test the serum on himself. The result transforms the valiant doctor into a super strong, violent tempered… white man. Directed by Blacula's William Crain, this 70s horror treats it's story with respect despite how silly it is and Crain, as with Blacula, gets good performances out of his cast that also includes Rosalind Cash (The Omega Man) and Marie O'Henry as Pryde's love interest, a local hooker named Linda. Sadly, Larry LeBron's script from an idea by Lawrence Woolner doesn't nearly make as much use of the classic story it's based on as did Blacula, nor is Crain able to give this film the Gothic flavor and style he did with that film. It's pretty much a generic monster movie with Mr. Hyde stalking and killing Linda's fellow hookers and their pimps and the police trying to find and stop the killer. The obvious blaxploitation elements are present but, seem a bit forced here as opposed to Blacula where they were just part of the characters and their life at that point in time. Still the film does have that 70s nostalgia and is worth a look for those interested in the blaxploitation era of filmmaking. Also noteworthy as, the Mr. Hyde make-up effects on Bernie Casey are by the legendary Stan Winston.

Michael_Elliott Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976) ** 1/2 (out of 4) The black Dr. Henry Pride (Bernie Casey) takes a formula that turns him into an evil white man. Here's another blaxploitation film but this one here is actually pretty good thanks in large part to the very good performance by Casey. The film is over the top in every way possible from the non-stop Kung Fu fighting to the wonderfully funny pimp. The first scene where the evil white guy is about to get jumped by three hoods is priceless.This film hasn't been officially released but it is out there in bootleg form.

faisal_khan I saw this film years ago on cable and enjoyed it for what it was. I suppose that's because I cam to it without any hype or expectations and enjoyed it all the more for it. The trouble with films like 'Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde' and the more famous 'The Thing With Two Heads' is that the gimmick often promises more than it delivers. Likewise when you get over the premise of 'Blacula', it's nothing more than an extended episode of 'Kolchak:The Night Stalker' held together by nothing more than the excellent William Marshall.But I digress. I think too many people expect these movies to have some meaningful insight into social issues of the day when many mainstream Hollywood films dealing with the same premise would be let off the hook. Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde is nothing more than the Jekyll and Hyde story told with a black actor and should be viewed on that basis alone.As a blaxploitation horror, this is competent stuff, though I'd recommend 'J.D's Revenge' over this as a better example. As a showcase for Bernie Casey this is far more enjoyable and one of the reasons I have remained a fan of this movie after many years.NOTE: DS9 fans will enjoy seeing Casey and Marc Alaimo together some 17 years before their appearance as Cal Hudson and Gul Dukat in the DS9 2-parter 'The Maquis'.