HAMMER
(1972)Director: Bruce Clark
MGM
HAMMER
(1972)Believe it or not, the film that
made Fred Williamson a household name has never appeared on home video before!
Yep, before he blazed across the drive-in screens in blaxploitation classics
like BUCKTOWN, BLACK CAESAR, THE LEGEND OF NIGGER CHARLEY, and MEAN JOHNNY BARROWS,
Williamson made his starring debut in this story of boxing, drugs, and murder
most foul. It's not bad, but it's no classic.
Williamson stars as B.J., known as "The Hammer" (which Fred still calls himself all these years later!), a former prize-winning boxer who's now working as a rough-and-tumble warehouse worker. When he beats the shit out of a racist co-worker and gets fired, he is immediately embraced into the boxing world of Big Sid, a promoter who deals smack and pulls hits on the side. His right-hand man, Brenner (tough-as-nails B-movie regular William Smith), does the really dirty work for him, like running down defecting pushers in dead-end alleys. Hammer thinks he has it made: he's got his career sky-rocketing and Big Sid's beautiful secretary Lois (BLACULA's Vonetta McGee, looking lovely as ever) has taken a shine to him. But his street reputation is tarnished when he's accused of selling out to "The Man" by getting paid for kicking ass. Even worse, he's expected to take a fall in the ring for a lot of money or else Lois will die! Hammer teams up with a persistent cop (Bernie Hamilton) to bring down Big Sid and his syndicate.
Aah,
HAMMER's not bad. It's got a good pace, lots of action, a compelling plot with
likable characters and good performances, and a slam-bang ending. But there's
still something missing...I can't pinpoint it, perhaps the lack of real exploitation
elements after watching too many Something Weird flicks. But I was still able
to enjoy this obscure gem for what it is: good solid entertainment. And it's
great to finally see this movie after years of being out of circulation and
disappearing from sight! You'll also definitely enjoy seeing Marilyn Joi (billed
as "Tracy Ann King, the hip with a whip!") and her wild night-club
act. Joi is most memorable as Cleopatra Schwartz in KENTUCKY FRIED 
MOVIE
and her eye-catching roles in ILSA HAREM KEEPER OF THE OIL SHEIKS, NURSE SHERRI,
and other Al Adamson drive-in masterpieces. And wait till you get a hold of
Hammer's foul-mouthed ex-girlfriend!
MGM presents HAMMER in a colorful transfer, with nary a defect in sight, but it's in the fullframe format, which is a real shame. Perhaps the correct elements weren't available for a proper widescreen presentation, but this doesn't make much sense to me. It looks open matte, so all the information is there apparently, but I'd still feel safer with those black bars and without the "formatted to fit your screen" warning... The only extra present is the excellent theatrical trailer.
HAMMER isn't the defining Fred Williamson movie, but here is where his dashing smile, kick-ass action skills, and tough charisma won over black audiences everywhere. A must for blaxploitation aficionados and cult film completists, especially at the low price! (Casey Scott)