Black Klansman, The (1966)

In an Alabama diner during the civil rights movement, a young black man attempts to exercise his civil rights by sitting at a local diner.

In retaliation, the Ku Klux Klan firebomb a church, killing the daughter of light-skinned black jazz musician Jerry Ellsworth (Richard Gilden) who lives in Los Angeles with his white singer girlfriend Andrea (Rima Kutner).

When Jerry learns of this – and realising he can pass for white (with the addition of a hairpiece) – he moves to Alabama to infiltrate the group responsible for his daughter’s death.

Posing as California contractor John Ashley (who wants to found a KKK chapter in Los Angeles) he becomes a member of the inner circle, befriends the local leader, Rook (Harry Lovejoy), seduces his daughter, and eventually exacts his revenge.

Meanwhile, Farley (Jakie Deslonde) – whose younger brother was lynched for patronising a whites-only café – has brought in Harlem gangster Raymond (Max Julien) and his bald heavy to teach the black locals how to deal with the Klan.

When Andrea shows up in town looking for Jerry, she is put in danger not only from Raymond (who uses her as a decoy for one of the attacks on the Klan members) but also from the Klan who do not take kindly to a white woman hanging around the shanty side of town (much less, sharing a hotel room with one of Jerry’s musician friends who tagged along to keep her safe).

Jerry Ellsworth/John Ashley
Richard Gilden
Andrea
Rima Kutner
Rock
Harry Lovejoy
Raymond
Max Julien
Farley
Jakie Deslonde
Lonnie
James McEachin
Carole Ann
Maureen Gaffney
Wallace
W. McLennard
Sawyer
Ginode Augustino
Jenkins
R.L. ‘Tex’ Armstrong
Buckley
Byrd Holland
Alex
Whitman Mayo
Ellie Madison
Frances E. Williams
Sloane
Ray Dannis
Deputy
William Collins
Delbert
Kirk Kirksey
Barnaby
Jimmy Robinson
Mrs Ellsworth
Anita Hurrel
Wilkins
Gary Kent

Director
Ted V. Mikels