William Crain, an influential director born in the early 1970s, made significant contributions to the genre of exploitation cinema. He helmed Blacula (1972), a groundbreaking film that blended horror with social commentary, and Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976), which offered a unique twist on the classic tale. Crain's work is notable for its ability to engage with themes of race and identity, making his films essential viewing for fans of cult cinema. His direction in these films showcases a blend of horror and humor, solidifying his place in the annals of genre filmmaking.
Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde
Los Angeles Dr. Henry Pride (Bernie Casey) is an accomplished, wealthy, African American medical doctor working on a cure for cirrhosis of the liver along with his colleague, Dr. Billie Worth (Rosalind Cash). Desperate to create this remedy, Pride conducts unethical experiments on others and himself, which turns Pride into a white-skinned Frankensteinian monster with superhuman strength and invincibility. Pride begins to rampage throughout Watts, killing prostitutes and pimps. After not being able to test his remedy on Linda (Marie O'Henry), Pride goes on a rampage, which results in him being chased down by the police. Cornered at the Watts Towers, Pride attempts to escape by climbing up the towers, which leads to the police gunning him down and causing him to fall to his death. According to Frederick Douglass in the Atlanta Daily World, the film was "for escapism and fun" as "everything is taken in an extreme and comes off as being comical rather than serious."
