Still from Putney Swope

Putney Swope is a satire about the White Establishment’s worst fear—A Black man in charge. It was written and directed by Robert Downey Sr. who played Burt, the asshole music studio manager in Boogie Nights who wouldn’t give Dirk and Reed their tapes.

He’s credited as “Robert Downey Sr. ‘A Prince’” both for his appearance in the film and his contributions. Don Cheadle’s character character’s name, Buck Swope, and the Chinese guy lighting fireworks in the restlessly tense ‘Alfred Molina Scene’ were inspired by Putney Swope.

Check it out sometime.

“The magic IS ON THOSE TAPES!”

(Picture via nevver:Signs and Meaning in Cinema #23)