Shaft's Big Score! (1972)

Shaft’s Big Score! (1972) is an American blaxploitation action-crime film starring Richard Roundtree as private detective John Shaft. After receiving a distressing call from his old friend Cal Asby, a Queens insurance salesman and mortician, Shaft rushes to his aid. However, upon arrival at Asby’s house, he discovers that his friend has been killed by a bomb. Despite being questioned by the skeptical police Captain Bollin, Shaft is eventually cleared of suspicion. Meanwhile, Asby’s partner Johnny Kelly owes $250,000 in gambling debts to mob boss Gus Mascola. However, before Shaft, Kelly, and Asby’s sister Arna can investigate further, their efforts are hindered by the ransacking of Asby’s house and Kelly successfully deterring Shaft from pursuing the culprit.

Concerned, Shaft informs Arna of his desire to review Asby and Kelly’s partnership documents, cautioning Kelly that he plans to safeguard Arna. Bollin discloses to Shaft that Asby and Kelly were engaged in an illegal numbers scheme, utilizing the insurance company and funeral home as lucrative fronts. Despite knowing about their illicit activities, Bollin chose to turn a blind eye due to their agreement to keep things “clean.” However, with Asby now deceased, Bollin fears that the mafia will swoop in and seize control of their enterprises. While Bollin suspects that Shaft may have connections with one of the gangsters, he humbly requests his assistance, which Shaft coolly agrees to. Using forceful tactics, Shaft compels one of Kelly’s numbers runners to divulge the location of their base of operations. Yet his mission is soon derailed when he is lured in by Rita, Kelly’s mistress seeking revenge for her lover’s mistreatment.