See China and Die (1981)

Starring:

• Esther Rolle
• Kene Holliday
• Frank Converse

IMDB.com
"See China, And Die" starring Miss Esther Rolle. I loved her. She recently died and I was very sad - mixed emotions surrounded me as I thought back to seeing Miss Rolle on the screen, both tv and in the movies. She was a wonderful actress.

Her starring role in the long running series, "Good Times," gave me many years of entertainment. She was a strong, concerned mother, who loved her children and an excellent wife who stood by her husband, who faced racism, joblessness and frustration in white America. Rolle gave pathos and exhilaration to her role as "Florida" in this series.

When I saw, "See China, And Die" on tv, Rolle made me love her more. She was playing a maid again, but this time, an amateur detective who was trying to solve the case of her murdered boss.

Her arrogance reminded me of an earlier movie maid, Hattie McDaniel, who, tho subservient, was a bold and earthy woman. Miss Rolle was the "maid" for several tenants in the building where her boss was killed. She solved the case despite the police and her policeman/detective son who tried unsuccessfully to quash her "work".

During the proceedings, Rolle almost got herself killed, but turned the tables on all suspects during a dinner revelation of the "real killer".

The picture was fun, because Esther Rolle brought her special quality, as an actress to the the role of "Mama". The New York locations added a touch of authenticity to the film.

I enjoyed many of the performances, especially Fritz Weaver, Paul Dooley and the rest of the cast.

Many people have caught this film on late night tv and enjoyed it, and then, putting ads in publications trying to find ANYone who had a copy of the film. They wanted to add it to their personal collections. I was lucky...I have a copy.

Cosmic Slop (1994, TV Movie)

"Cosmic Slop" (1994) is a made-for-television sci-fi movie aired on HBO. It's a three-part anthology of supernatural tales filled with political statements and thought-provoking messages. Reginald Hudlin directed, and Trey Ellis wrote, "Space Traders," based on Derrick Bell's short story. The segment stars Robert Guillaume, Michele Lamar Richards, Bernard Shields, and Bob Gunton. Warrington Hudlin wrote and directed "The First Commandment," which stars Nicholas Turturro, Efrain Figueroa, and Richard Herd. And finally, Kevin Rodney Sullivan directed, and Kyle Baker wrote "Tang," based on the short story by Chester Himes. That segment stars Paula Jai Parker and Chi McBride. George Clinton psychedelically introduces each segment; with no coincidence, the film's title is the same as the 1973 Funkadelic album.

Each story takes a fascinating look into several issues involving race, class, sex, religion, colorism, abuse, and power. In "Space Traders," aliens offer America a solution for some of its troubles, such as debt, pollution, depleting energy, and more, in exchange for all the black people in the country. Nobody knows the fate of the black people if the government agrees to the alien's terms. The second segment, "The First Commandment," is about a Latino priest's conflict between his cultural beliefs and Catholic training in an impoverished neighborhood. The final piece, "Tang," is an explosive performance between Paula Jai White and Chi McBride about a poor and unhappy couple living in the ghetto who mysteriously have a rifle delivered to their home.

"Cosmic Slop" deserves more attention than just being a T.V. anthology. It's a creative piece of black filmmaking that I highly recommend for viewing. 

Creator: Reginald Hudlin

Directors: Reginald Hudlin, Warrington Hudlin, Kevin Rodney Sullivan

Writers: Warrington Hudlin, Trey Ellis, Derrick Bell, Kyle Baker, Chester Himes

Starring Robert Guillaume, Michele Lamar Richards, Bernard Shields, Bob Gunton, Nicholas Turturro, Efrain Figueroa, Richard Herd, Paula Jai Parker, Chi McBride, George Clinton, Larry Anderson, Noëlle Balfour, Edward Edwards, Tom Finnegan, Craig Kirkwood, Kelly Jo Minter, Daryl Mitchell, Brock Peters, Ebonie Smith, Chino 'Fats' Williams, John Witherspoon

Storyline

From the creators of "House Party" and "Boomerang," Reginald and Warrington Hudlin takes you on a journey with host George Clinton to a place where alternate realities exist. America offers wealth and prosperity in exchange for all black people. A sacred statue comes to life, causing a priest to face his religion. And a troubled couple is randomly gifted a loaded rifle.