Petey Wheatstraw 1977

Comedy

Fantasy

Horror

Action

Runtime

99 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Cliff Roquemore

Made by

Comedian Intl Enterprise Productions (C.I.E.)

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Petey Wheatstraw Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Petey Wheatstraw (1977). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Petey Wheatstraw, Rudy Ray Moore, is born during a great Miami hurricane, and after a difficult labor by his mother, emerges as a talking, diaper-wearing, six-year-old boy who promptly attacks the doctor and then his father. His mother stops him, sets him straight, and names him “Petey Wheatstraw.”

As a young teenager, after being beaten up by a gang, Petey meets a mentor named Brian Breye who teaches him the philosophy of Kung Fu and self-respect, taking a vow not to bow before any man, living or dead. Petey grows up to become a successful nightclub comedian, booking a string of shows at a Los Angeles club called Steve’s Den—much to the dismay of comedy rivals, Leroy, Leroy Daniels as Leroy, and Skillet, Ernest Mayhand as Skillet, who have just borrowed a large sum from the Mob to finance their own opening the next day. Realizing their scheme could fail with Petey in town and trigger trouble for them, the would-be rivals beg Petey to delay his act. Petey refuses, and the henchmen kill Petey’s business partner Ted, Ted Clemmons’s little brother Larry, then disrupt Larry’s funeral by firing into the crowd, killing Petey and several others.

Petey is visited by Lou Cipher, G. Tito Shaw the Devil himself, who tells him that his death was a mistake and offers to undo it on one condition: that Petey marry the Devil’s daughter and provide him with a grandson. Petey nearly quashes the deal when he sees the Devil’s daughter, Julie Martin, but the words of his mentor endure, and he decides to strike a bargain.

resurrected along with his friends, Petey sets out to gain revenge using the Devil’s own magic—his Pimp Cane—to do good in the community and to humiliate his rivals. Demons begin appearing in Petey and his friends’ lives as a reminder of the deadly bargain, but he manages to outsmart them, even going so far as to have sex with a roomful of demon women whose stamina leaves them unconscious.

After finally getting even with Leroy and Skillet by having them killed by the mob, Petey confronts the Devil with his cane, sets the Devil on fire, and casts him from a roof to his apparent death. He breaks the cane in half and climbs into a car with his friends, believing their ordeal is over. Yet an undead Leroy and Skillet—along with the Devil—appear in the car to taunt him, and the film ends as Petey screams in terror.

Petey Wheatstraw Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Petey Wheatstraw (1977) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Birth during the Miami hurricane

Petey Wheatstraw is born during a great Miami hurricane and, after a difficult labor, is later revealed as a talking, diaper-wearing six-year-old who attacks the doctor and his father. His mother intervenes and disciplines him, naming him Petey Wheatstraw.

birth during a hurricane; early childhood Miami

Teenage encounter and training with Bantu

As a young teenager, Petey is beaten by a gang and then meets his mentor Bantu, who teaches him Kung Fu and the philosophy of self-respect. Bantu’s vow to never bow before any man, living or dead, becomes a guiding principle for Petey.

teenage years

Rise to LA nightclub comedian

Petey grows into a successful nightclub comedian and books a series of shows at Steve's Den in Los Angeles. His rising fame worries rivals Leroy and Skillet, who have borrowed money from the Mob to fund a competing opening the next day.

adult career in the late 1970s (unknown exact time) Steve's Den, Los Angeles

Rivalry and pressure from Leroy and Skillet

Leroy and Skillet realize Petey’s act could derail their loan and endanger their lives. They beg him to delay his performance, but Petey refuses, escalating the conflict and setting the stage for violence.

the night before the rival opening

Murder at Larry's funeral

Henchmen kill Petey's business partner Ted’s little brother Larry, and then open fire at Larry’s funeral, killing Petey and several others. The brutal act intensifies the feud and motivates Petey to seek revenge.

immediately after Larry's murder Larry's funeral

Deal with the Devil emerges

Petey is visited by Lou Cipher, the Devil, who reveals that his death was a mistake and offers to undo it if Petey marries the Devil's daughter and provides a grandson. Petey is tempted, especially after a glance at the Devil’s daughter, but is swayed by Bantu’s warnings to consider the bargain differently.

shortly after the funeral

Resurrection and vow to outsmart the Devil

Petey and his friends are resurrected, and Petey tells them of the Devil's deal and his plans to gain revenge on Leroy and Skillet. He vows to outsmart the Devil by not marrying his daughter while using the deal to turn the tables.

after the deal is struck

Gaining power with the Pimp Cane

Armed with the Devil's magic Pimp Cane, Petey begins using its power to do good in the community and humiliate his rivals. Demons start appearing in his life as reminders of the bargain, testing his resolve.

post-resurrection

Demon thread and demon-women sequence

Petey confronts demonic forces and even has a room full of demon women whose stamina renders them unconscious, demonstrating the wild, surreal nature of his powers. The episode deepens the supernatural aspect of his pact.

during cane’s usage

Revenge on Leroy and Skillet

Petey floors Leroy and Skillet by ensuring they are killed by the Mob, removing his rivals from the picture. The revenge marks a turning point in his quest for justice and power.

after cane gains power

Showdown with the Devil on the roof

Petey confronts Lou Cipher, uses the cane against the Devil, and sets him on fire, pushing him off a roof to his apparent death. The moment seems to free Petey from the supernatural threat, at least for the moment.

final confrontation rooftop

The cane breaks and a terrifying ending

Petey breaks the cane in half and gets into a car with his friends, hoping the ordeal is over. A shocking twist reveals undead Leroy, Skillet, and the Devil appearing in the car to taunt him, ending with Petey's scream.

aftermath of the rooftop confrontation in the car

Petey Wheatstraw Characters

Explore all characters from Petey Wheatstraw (1977). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Petey Wheatstraw (Rudy Ray Moore)

Petey grows from a violent infant to a charismatic nightclub comic who embraces a philosophy of Kung Fu and self-respect. He is fearless, proud, and cunning, using humor and street smarts to navigate rivalries, danger, and a demonic deal. His journey blends revenge, magic, and moral testing as he wrestles with the Devil's bargain.

🎭 Protagonist 🥋 Martial artist 💪 Determined

Bantu (Brian Breye)

Mentor figure who teaches Petey the philosophy of Kung Fu and self-respect, urging him not to bow before any man. He provides guidance and motivation, shaping Petey's moral compass as he grows into his powers. Bantu's influence anchors the film's mix of spiritual discipline and street wisdom.

🧭 Mentor 🥋 Martial arts teacher ✊ Self-respect

Leroy (Leroy Daniels)

A ruthless rival who, with Skillet, borrows money from the Mob to finance a competing club. His aggression drives Petey's need for revenge and fuels the gang rivalry that culminates at Larry's funeral.

🗡️ Rival 💰 Gangster 🧨 Conflict

Skillet (Ernest Mayhand)

Leroy's partner in crime and a primary antagonist who pushes the conflict toward bloodier consequences. He becomes a central obstacle as Petey seeks to outmaneuver him and his crew.

🗡️ Rival 💥 Antagonist 🧨 Conflict

Ted Clemmons (Ted Clemmons)

Petey's business partner whose murder at the hands of Leroy and Skillet's henchmen catalyzes the quest for vengeance. His death underscores the stakes of the rivalry and sets Petey on his path.

💼 Partner 💥 Victim 💪 Catalyst

Larry (Bryan L. Roquemore)

Ted's little brother whose funeral is violently interrupted by the rival group. Larry's death is the immediate trigger for Petey's hunt for justice and revenge.

👦 Victim 💥 Catalyst 🕯️ Memorial

Lucipher / The Devil (G. Tito Shaw)

Lou Cipher, the Devil, resurrects Petey on the condition of marrying his daughter and bearing a grandson. He represents temptation and the supernatural price of power in the story.

😈 Temptation 👹 Supernatural 💫 Trickster

Nell / Devil's Daughter (Ebony Wright)

Nell, also known as the Devil's Daughter, embodies temptation as part of the Devil's deal. She appears as part of the demonic entourage challenging Petey's resolve.

👧 Temptation 👁️ Seduction 🪬 Supernatural

Petey's Mother (Rose Williams)

Petey's mother performs a crucial early role, stopping a violent outburst and naming him 'Petey Wheatstraw.' Her presence anchors the origin and family background of the protagonist.

👩 Parent 🧭 Grounding 🧱 Foundation

Petey's Father (Sy Richardson)

Petey's father is part of his early life, facing moments of violence and family dynamics that shape Petey's stubborn independence and vow of self-respect.

👨 Parent 🧭 Authority 🤼‍♂️ Family

Petey Wheatstraw Settings

Learn where and when Petey Wheatstraw (1977) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1970s

The events unfold in the 1970s, a period defined by blaxploitation cinema, streetwise humor, and martial-arts-infused action. The era influences the film's fashion, music, and club culture. The plot uses this backdrop to stage Petey's struggle for respect, revenge, and control over his destiny.

Location

Miami, Los Angeles

Petey Wheatstraw's origin begins in Miami, where he is born amid a great hurricane that foreshadows the chaos of his life. The city provides a tropical, dangerous backdrop for his early years. The action later shifts to Los Angeles, where the nightclub scene at Steve's Den frames his rise and the rivalries that drive the plot. These two cities anchor the film's blend of streetwise humor, martial arts bravado, and supernatural twists.

🌆 Urban setting 🌀 Hurricane origin 🎶 Nightlife hub

Petey Wheatstraw Themes

Discover the main themes in Petey Wheatstraw (1977). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

⚔️

Revenge

Petey's rise to power centers on exacting revenge against Leroy and Skillet after they orchestrate the death of his partner Larry. He wields the Devil's Pimp Cane to humiliate rivals and restore his status in the community. The pursuit of vengeance is tempered by his vow of self-respect and refusal to bow before others, a philosophy taught by his mentor Bantu. The film uses these actions to explore the costs and consequences of taking justice into one's own hands.

😈

Deal with Devil

A pact with Lou Cipher, the Devil, promises Petey a path to power and resurrection, but demands a marriage to the Devil's daughter and a future grandson. Petey debates the moral choice, balancing opportunity against allegiance to his friends and community. The agreement triggers a cascade of supernatural consequences, reminding him that shortcuts come with a heavy price. The Devil's scheme threads through the plot as a temptress that complicates every decision.

🪄

Magic & Power

The Pimp Cane embodies magical power that Petey can wield for good or for brazen mischief. The cane's influence extends to summoning demons, enabling feats of bravado, and giving Petey leverage over his rivals. Demons appear as a visual reminder of the bargain, testing Petey's resolve and cleverness. Even as Petey uses magic to triumph, the final twist shows that power without caution can end in terror.

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Petey Wheatstraw Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Petey Wheatstraw (1977). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a fever‑dreams of 1970s blaxploitation, the world tilts between gritty nightclubs, streetwise kung‑fu dojos, and a shadowy infernal bureaucracy. The city pulses with neon, swaggering comedians, and a supernatural presence that watches from the gutters, ready to barter with any soul bold enough to step into its game. The tone is a wild mash‑up of slap‑stick stand‑up, over‑the‑top martial arts, and a devilish sense of humor that keeps the audience guessing whether the next gag or punch will land in the realm of the absurd or the damned.

Petey Wheatstraw arrives on the scene as an unlikely hero—born under a hurricane, raised by a mother who tames his feral six‑year‑old rage, and schooled in the philosophy of kung‑fu and self‑respect by a mentor who swears never to bow. He channels that discipline into a booming comedy act that lights up clubs, while his street‑wise swagger hides a deeper yearning for respect and purpose. His charm and quick wit make him a magnet for rivals, especially the brash duo Leroy and Skillet, whose own ambitions clash with his rising fame, setting the stage for a rivalry that crackles with both humor and tension.

When Satan steps out of the shadows, the stakes surge beyond earthly rivalries. The Devil offers Petey a twisted bargain: marry the Devil’s own daughter and become the son‑in‑law of the infernal kingdom, in exchange for a chance to rewrite his fate. The deal drags Petey into a chaotic dance with demonic henchmen, supernatural politics, and the ever‑looming threat of an otherworldly contract. Amid the roar of laughter and the flash of martial‑arts moves, the film balances on a razor’s edge between comedy club chaos and the infernal underworld, promising a roller‑coaster ride where every punchline could be a spell and every fight a negotiation with the devil himself.

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