USA | 1974 | 85 minutes | R
Unseen in nearly 45 years, the mysteriously obscure, independently financed SOLOMON KING (1974) from full-time entrepreneur and one-time feature director Sal Watts, was shot in Oakland, California in 1973 with a cast of mostly non-professional actors and Watts himself in the lead as ex-CIA agent Solomon King (plus surprise appearances by the San Francisco Giants’ Tito Fuentes and Tanya Boyd of BLACK SHAMPOO and DAYS OF OUR LIVES!), topped with a killer soul-funk soundtrack (released on Watts’ Sal/Wa Records!) and incredible clothes from Watts’s own Mr. Sal’s Fashion stores.
Director: Sal Watts & Jack Bomay
Cast: Sal Watts, James Watts, Claudia Russo, Tito Fuentes, Tanya Boyd
DETAILS
New Restoration – Toronto Premiere!
Toronto Premiere of the long-lost, indie Black urban crime/action film SOLOMON KING (1974) from director/actor/producer/writer Sal Watts!
Unseen in nearly 45 years, the mysteriously obscure, independently financed SOLOMON KING (1974) from full-time entrepreneur and one-time feature director Sal Watts, was shot in Oakland, California in 1973 with a cast of mostly non-professional actors and Watts himself in the lead as ex-CIA agent Solomon King (plus surprise appearances by the San Francisco Giants’ Tito Fuentes and Tanya Boyd of BLACK SHAMPOO and DAYS OF OUR LIVES!), topped with a killer soul-funk soundtrack (released on Watts’ Sal/Wa Records!) and incredible clothes from Watts’s own Mr. Sal’s Fashion stores.
When Solomon King’s princess girlfriend is assassinated, he must travel to the Middle East, tangle with villains, seek vengeance, and solve the case. Solomon King is ready to take on anything and anyone and do it in style! Fans of innovative, independent scrappy filmmaking will love the ingenuity, heart, and hard work that SOLOMON KING has to offer, not to mention the undeniably wicked tunes and disco-ready wardrobe of this one-of-a-kind time capsule of Black culture, music and fashion in 1970s Oakland.
This laborious restoration had its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2022, courtesy of the ace team at Deaf Crocodile (who restored BELLADONNA OF SADNESS, FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES, DELTA SPACE MISSION, ILYA MUROMETS and more!) with the full cooperation and support of the filmmaker’s widow Belinda Burton-Watts and utilizing the only surviving complete print of the film from the collection of the UCLA Film & TV Archive, and original 35mm soundtrack elements. –
Stompbox is pumped to celebrate this rare piece of DIY Black filmmaking history! – DAVID BERTRAND
Doors Open 30 Minutes Before Showtime.
PRICING
General Admission: $16
Bronze/Loyalty Members, Students & Seniors: $13
Silver Members: $12
Gold/Individual/Family Members: FREE
For INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS ($350) and FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS, please email us at info@revuecinema.ca to get your ticket!