Episode 109: Foxes, Flies and the Design of Blaxploitation Posters
If you’ve ever caught a late-night flick full of high-speed chases, stylish wardrobes, and unforgettable soundtracks, you might’ve stumbled into the bold, brash world of blaxploitation. This genre wasn’t just about action—it brought civil rights, empowerment, and attitude to the screen, with a mix of crime, martial arts, westerns, horror, comedy, prison breaks, and even musicals.
Today, we’re diving into two of the era’s most iconic films: Foxy Brown and Super Fly. We’re also shining a light on the artists who brought these stories to life outside the theater with posters as explosive and eye-catching as the movies themselves.
So grab a couple of high-octane shots and get ready—this episode is about to be a funky, action-packed ride, right here in the bar.
E X T R A S :
The film poster for Foxy Brown with (we think) lettering by Ed Benguiat. Designer and illustrator unknown.
The film poster for Super Fly designed by Tom Jung and illustrated by Robert Tannenbaum with lettering by Ed Benguiat, the album artwork for the soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield
Foxy Brown
Background (Wikipedia article)
Super Fly
Background (Wikipedia article)
Additional Links
“Meet the artist behind some of Hollywood's most iconic movie posters” (YouTube video)
“Super Fly at 50: A blaxploitation classic that remains a powerful pop culture force” (NPR article)
