Action Cult Classic

A Sunset Strip hairdresser turns avenger when mobsters target his salon and his woman.

BLACK SHAMPOO

1976 · 01:22:00 · R · Action / Comedy / Crime / Drama / Thriller

A black hairdresser's sexual escapades with married customers lead to a confrontation with a jealous mobster.

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Quick Answer

What is Black Shampoo about?

Black Shampoo is a 1976 American action-comedy-crime-drama-thriller directed by Greydon Clark about Jonathan Knight, a hairdresser whose romantic entanglements and business success put him in deadly conflict with the mob.

Key Facts

Director: Greydon Clark
Writers: Alvin L. Fast, Greydon Clark
Release: 1976
Runtime: 1h 22m
Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller

The SassyFlix Take

Greydon Clark’s blaxploitation cocktail shakes up the Sunset Strip with a hairdresser who wields more than just scissors—Jonathan Knight’s pivot from lover to chainsaw-wielding avenger is the stuff cult legend is made of. If you like your revenge flicks with a side of high-styled hilarity and mob mayhem, you’ve found your salon chair.

From the Vault

Because sometimes the best defense is a good perm.

Why Cult

Blaxploitation Energy

A showcase of 1970s blaxploitation, with John Daniels swaggering through both romance and revenge.

Hair Salon Mayhem

The Sunset Strip’s hottest hairdresser turns into a chainsaw-wielding vigilante when the mob gets personal.

Mobster Revenge Plot

When love and business collide, a jealous mobster ignites a wild confrontation that leaves no blow-dryer unturned.

Genre Mashup Madness

Action, comedy, crime, drama, and thriller collide in a single, unpredictable package.

About This Film

John Daniels plays Jonathan Knight, the owner of "Mr. Jonathan's", the most successful hair salon for women on the Sunset Strip. His reputation as a lover has become so awesome that he is sought after almost as much in that capacity as he is for his experience as a hair stylist.

Everything is cool for Jonathan until he messes with the mob in an effort to protect his young attractive receptionist, played by Tanya Boyd (Celeste in Days of Our Lives), from her former boss. Action explodes when the "loving" machine becomes the "killing" machine. Jonathan, chainsaw in hand, gets down to the get down on the vicious mob gang that wrecked his shop and kidnapped his woman.

Film Details

Director Greydon Clark

Writers Alvin L. Fast, Greydon Clark

Themes & Keywords

Blaxploitation Revenge Sunset Strip Hair salon Hairdresser Mobster Receptionist Chainsaw

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Black Shampoo about? +

Black Shampoo follows Jonathan Knight, a Sunset Strip hairdresser whose business and love life get him tangled up with the mob, forcing him to fight back when his salon is attacked and his receptionist kidnapped.

When was Black Shampoo released? +

Black Shampoo was released in 1976.

Who directed Black Shampoo? +

Black Shampoo was directed by Greydon Clark.

How long is Black Shampoo? +

Black Shampoo has a runtime of 82 minutes.

What genre is Black Shampoo? +

Black Shampoo is an action, comedy, crime, drama, and thriller film.

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