Like all good movie trailers, the teaser for 1971’s Shaft came with a catchy tagline, one that managed to throw shade on Sean Connery and Steve McQueen: “Shaft. Hotter than Bond. Cooler than Bullitt. Rated R. If you want to see Shaft, ask your mama.”...

Bill Shapiro
Bill Shapiro is the former editor-in-chief of LIFE magazine. Follow him on Instagram at @billshapiro.