Petey Wheatstraw

I was very excited to learn that we'd be watching a blaxploitation film for this class. I've been a pretty big fan of the exploitation genre for quite some time. I saw Blackcula quite some time ago and remember it being extremely bizarre, and bizarre films tend to suit my fancy perfectly. Exploitation films have everything the low brow film connoseiur wants- gratuitous gore and sex, very low budgets, forced acting with ridiculous dialogue, and absolutely outlandish and unbelievable plots are just some of those fine qualities. And I have to say, Petey Wheatstraw does not disappoint.

Petey Wheatstraw is very similar to some other films of the genre I've heard of or had experience with, films like The Mack and Dolemite come to mind. I have to say that some of the stereoptyes in Petey Wheatraw are so incredibly prominent and ridiculous I was almost surprised- I really appreciate it when actors and directors are willing to push the envelope with these kinds of things even if they may be deemed offensive by some. I think it's slightly absurd when people find exploitation films to be offensive- these types of film are basically low brow comedies, and people who take them seriously are missing something.

In terms of plot, it's a pretty standard cool pimp-like black guy with awesome martial arts skills beats up a lot of bad guys while being aloof with all the women who constantly fawn over him. When I see films like this, I wonder where all these stereotypes came from- sure there were and are some pimps out there behaving in ostentatious ways, but I'd venture to say they were, and are, a distinct minority. Additionally, blaxploitation films seem to very commonly feature people who use martial arts to defeat their foes, as opposed to the current day stereotype of urban violence being based around drugs and guns. Why is it, exactly, that all these incredibly ostentatious pimps or pimp-like characters learn or just happen to know kung fu?

One thing I wonder sometimes when watching exploitation films or blaxploitation films is with regards to the roles of the women in these films. It seems that the women, to a certain extent, are objectified or exploited in these films? Certainly that is the case with some of the films in these genres, however, in one sub-genre of exploitation film that I can think of, the rape-revenge film, the woman suffers a tragedy and ultimately becomes empowered as a result of it. This is very obviously seen in Kill Bill, and many of the inspirations for that film, Tarantino himself has said, come from exploitation films, many of which were from the rape-revenge sub-genre. It seems like in films such as Petey Wheatstraw, there are two types of women: the women who constantly fawn all over the main character but maintain a sense of decency, and the women who are very clearly looked down upon and objectified (someone was actually charged with playing the role of the ugliest woman in the world)! Now that's true objectification if I've ever seen it. (Please note that I am not condoning objectification of women, these are films, not made to be taken seriously, and I am merely exploring the intentions behind them)


Some plot related questions I have (they're not real questions I just love to examine the silliness in exploitation films)

1. Why were those guys stealing tires? Did they really think that would be the simplest and most lucrative way for them to make money? Seems pretty cumbersome to be fleeing from someone carrying those things. And who's buying?

2. Zebra print carpeting in the ambulance? (this was awesome)

3. Petey seems to be a jack of all trades. Demigod, stand-up comedian, ladies man, martial arts expert, philanthropist? What can't he do?

4. Why do the main characters in these types of film love to rhyme so much? I'm reminded to a certain extent of Jesse Jackson.

5. Is it possible not to enjoy the characters of Leroy and Skillet?

Interestingly enough there is a documentary called American Pimp about the lives of some famous and retired pimps who behave and dress in ways similar to films like Petey Wheatstraw, the entire film is available freely on youtube. It also contains clips from other blaxploitation films. Link here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y6oMsroBvU