Michael Campus's 1973 tale of drugs, prostitution, and pimps is notable for its Oakland location footage (recognizable are Jack London Square and East 14th Street) and an early film appearance by a young and gifted Richard Pryor-subsequently a major force in 1980s film and comedy. At the center of The Mack (slang for pimp) is the clash of wills of two brothers: Max Julien is Goldie, an ex-con turned mack who returns home to Oakland to build an empire based on prostitution; Roger E. Mosely is Olinga, a community activist vehemently against his brother's profession. Several cinema verite scenes still fascinate for the documentation of certain dubious aspects of Oakland history, specifically the "Player's Ball," which depicts the macks and their women stylin' and profilin' in silks, satins, furs, and hot pants during the evening's festivities, all set against a soulful Willie Hutch score. If the screenplay isn't as forceful as it could be, it still conveys a familiar but compelling message about corruption and amorality.-Doris Worsham