The Mack (Michael Campus, 1973)

Steve Spence
Updated: 20 September 2016

Summary

The Mack is the story of Goldie, an ex-con who becomes a pimp. Google offers this summary:

After a few years in the slammer on a drug bust, John "Goldie" Mickens (Max Julien) returns to Oakland, Calif., determined to raise himself up in the world. When his old friend turned prostitute Lulu (Carol Speed) asks him to look out for her, Goldie accepts and enters the life of pimping. Soon he's the most notorious "mack" in town, but it earns him some unwanted attention. A pair of crooked cops wants him back in jail, and a rival pimp (Dick Williams) tries to steal his business.

Masculinism and Misogyny

Google also offers a relevant definition:

Misogyny: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.

The allure of the pimp is about control: "...the key is to control her mind."

Goldie "macks" Diane

Pretty Tony vs. Goldie

Prof. Todd Boyd on pimps and rappers (cf. our reading by Eithne Quinn)

When you think about a pimp's primary tool being his mouthpiece, what is a rapper's primary tool? His mouthpiece.

Hustle and Flow (2005) updates The Mack

Pimp Style and the Player's Ball

The Player's Ball is probably the most famous scene in The Mack. It showcases the style of real-life pimps in Oakland, who helped the filmmakers with the production. Most of the people on stage with Max Julian ("Goldie") are actual pimps. YouTube includes a clip of the scene, but it's not possible to embed it in these slides.

The Player's Ball scene is a favorite of many rappers, including OutKast.