Wednesday Wayback
Let's not even begin the chitter chatter and get right to the matter at hand..It's Wednesday Wayback ya'll and have I got a good one for yah. You'll have to excuse the dampness of the entry - I've been salivating as I put this one together. So get out your Kung Fu gear and let's set it off! ENJOY
Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon is a 1985 martial arts parody film, featuring a predominantly Black cast, produced by then-Motown Records CEO Berry Gordy and directed by Michael Schultz. Something of a commercial and critical disappointment upon its original release (the film's Norman Whitfield-produced theme song was nominated for Worst "Original" song at the 1985 Golden Raspberry Awards), The Last Dragon is today considered something of a cult classic. The film stars Taimak, Vanity, Julius J. Carry, III, Christopher Murney, and Faith Prince. The movie was released by TriStar Picturesto theatres on March 22, 1985.
The plot, set in New York City, of the film revolves around a black teenage martial arts student named Leroy Green, who is often referred to as "Bruce Leroy" (although he never actually calls himself that). Leroy dreams of being a great martial artist like his idol, Bruce Lee. Leroy is on a quest to attain the highest level of martial arts accomplishment, called "The Glow". As its name suggests, it is a mystical energy that can be tapped into by a martial arts master. When a person's hands glow, they are one of the best fighters in the world. When their entire body glows, they are the single best fighter there is. Along the way to find "The Glow", however, Leroy must confront villains such as a crooked arcade mogul (Murney) and the evil Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem. Also, protect his younger brother Richie (Leo O'Brien) and his girlfriend, VJ Laura Charles (Vanity).
This was the first acting role for Taimak, a then-20-year-old Black/Italian black belt who learned to act on the set of this picture.
Featured in this film is a DeBarge song, "Rhythm of the Night", written by Diane Warren. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard R&B charts.
Leroy and Richie's younger sister Sophie was portrayed by Cosby Show actor Keshia Knight Pulliam.
We can't talk about The Last Dragon without revisiting a former Wednesday Way Back Star - VANITY
And we certainly can't even go there without a few shots of our hero Bruce Leroy - - Now! Check Him Out On His Website. Ladies (and Hell some fellas too) get out a hanky, you will need to wipe your mouth!
I've never seen the movie. Wow, that 80's pop music was really terrible. But those Taimak pics brighten up everythang.