If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Better Late Then Never

A Masterpiece!

The idea of Metro Goldwyn Mayer dipping its toe into the blaxploitation genre may at first sound strange, but actually MGM did this several times, most notably with the "Shaft" films. But while the "Shaft" films are well know to this day, "Melinda" has been all but forgotten today. It doesn't take long upon watching it to figure out why. The first third of the movie is incredibly slow and dull. The next two-thirds has a bit more speed and action, but too little and too late. Director Hugh A. Robertson was obviously hampered by a poor screenplay, but he was also obviously restricted with a limited amount of money, since the movie looks more like an effort for television than for the silver screen. But that's not to say that Robertson should be totally absolved of fault. There are some very poorly directed sequences, and his instructions to the movie's star Calvin Lockhart make the talented actor's character come across as selfish, obnoxious, and cruel. I have a feeling that even the target audience at the time found this a sub par effort, though I'll admit I have seen much worse 1970s blaxploitation films.

Apart from being Jim Kelly's first film, this is a rather ordinary blackspoitation film. It's neither an over the top bad but enjoyable film of the genre nor is it one of the outstanding ones...but lies somewhere in the middle.When the film begins, Frankie (Calvin Lockhart) is a handsome and successful DJ...and he seems to know just how pretty he is. In fact, when he meets Melinda, he struts his stuff and impresses her so much she does the nasty with him...and they both are then inexplicably in love. However, after Frankie leaves, some unknown fiends come in and trash his pad...and kill Melinda. When Frankie returns, jerks cops arrest him but they cannot hold him...and Frankie decides to work his way up the chain of command in the black and white mobs until he finds Mr. Big and makes him play. And, wisely, for the big showdown, Frankie brings along his kung fu buddies and they have a hellacious smackdown.If you are looking for pimps and the like, you won't find it in this one. Instead, it's much like a normal drama merged with a blacksploitation film...watchable and enjoyable but not especially memorable.By the way, like many films in this genre, there is nudity, violence and rough language...which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone!

of all the blaxplotation films in the 70's, Melinda ranks on my list with Shaft, Superfly, Trouble Man, Cotton comes to Harlem, and such like. i had'nt seen it since 1974 maybe, and have been looking for it for more than 30 years. finally, i found it in San Francisco. the DVD was a good print although you knew it was as old as it is/was. Calvin Lockhart was brilliant as the narcissistic Frankie J Parker, and Rosiland Cash's role of Terry, displayed the strength and resolve of a strong Black woman of the time. violent and dark, with a hint of mystery and overloaded with the rage of revenge, Melinda was a thriller. as i watched again, for the first time, the lines all came back and i can remember how many of Lockhart's lines, i began using. incredible how influential movies can be to a 20year old African-American in the 70's.

I enjoyed this movie and Calvin Lockheart is a great actor and he is good on the eyes. I love his voice I have been looking for this movie Melinda for years I can not find it anywhere.All of the actors and actresses did good the plot was good and I enjoyed the action. I have seen Calvin Lockheart in other movies and he did good an all of them as well I would like to see him in something now, I know he is much older now but there are movies for older men also THERE ARE TV shows that he could be on he helped to make the way for actors and actresses of today.He could appear on shows like Girlfriends also The Parkers. That is only a couple of suggestions.I would like to see him in a movie about his life.If anyone know where I can get the movie please post it.