John Shaft is a fictional character created by screenwriter/novelist Ernest Tidyman. A sort of African-American answer to Ian Fleming's James Bond. The blurb on the paperback on which the original film is based states Shaft is "Hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt."
Books
- Shaft (1970)
- Shaft Among the Jews (1972)
- Shaft's Big Score (1972)
- Shaft Has a Ball (1973)
- Goodbye, Mr. Shaft (1973)
- Shaft's Carnival of Killers (1974)
- The Last Shaft (1975)
Films Based on the Character
Television Series
The television show ran from 1973-74. There were 7 90-minute movies, part of the New CBS Tuesday Night Movies, rotating with Hawkins, which starred James Stewart.
It was short-lived, as the show toned down the John Shaft character.
Episode Guide to the TV Series
Parodies in Other Films
John Shaft in Other Media
Shaft-isms
-
Shaft's Big Score and Shaft in Africa featured a teaser that had no music, just a hook, establishing the plot. Afterwhich, the opening credits with a vocalist song would show Shaft heading to the location of the crime. (The first film, Shaft featured Shaft heading to the scene of the crime with the famous Isaac Hayes theme on the soundtrack, or at least, heading towards the where the plot would be established, but no teaser).
Literary References
The Detective in Hollywood, Jon Tuska, 1978 (ISBN #:0385120931)
External Links
Page from 'Thrilling Detectives'
Last updated: 08-03-2005 12:40:43
