Tony’s Timeless Thursdays: Cooley High – The Coming-of-Age Classic That Changed Black Cinema

"There ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby." – The Temptations

For the 20th day of Black History Month, I’m shining a spotlight on Cooley High (1975)—a groundbreaking coming-of-age film that not only captured the realities of Black teenage life in the 1960s but also helped shape the future of Black storytelling in Hollywood.

Before Boyz n the Hood (1991), House Party (1990), or The Wood (1999), there was Cooley High—a film that showed Black teens simply living, laughing, and dreaming in a way that had rarely been seen on screen before. It was funny, heartbreaking, and most of all, authentic.

Directed by Michael Schultz and written by Eric Monte, Cooley High broke new ground, proving that Black films didn’t always have to be about oppression—they could be about joy, friendship, and the bittersweet experiences of growing up.

Let’s dive into why Cooley High is a must-watch classic and why it still resonates nearly 50 years after its release.

The Story of Cooley High

Set in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green neighborhood in 1964, Cooley High follows the lives of Preach (Glynn Turman) and Cochise (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs)—two high school friends with big dreams.

Preach is a smart, aspiring writer with a mischievous streak, always looking for a way to have fun and escape the struggles of his environment.
Cochise is a popular, street-smart athlete with a bright future ahead, hoping to earn a basketball scholarship.

The film follows them skipping school, flirting with girls, sneaking into parties, and dodging trouble, all while trying to navigate the realities of their Chicago neighborhood. But when a joyride in a stolen car leads to tragic consequences, their carefree world is shattered.

At its core, Cooley High is about friendship, dreams, and the pain of growing up too soon. It perfectly blends comedy, drama, and social realism, making it one of the most emotionally powerful films in Black cinema.

Why Cooley High Was a Game-Changer

1. It Showed Black Teens Just Being Teens

At a time when most Black films focused on poverty, crime, or racial struggles, Cooley High was refreshingly different. It wasn’t about activism or oppression—it was about Black joy and the universal experience of coming of age.

It humanized Black youth in a way Hollywood rarely did at the time.
It featured a full cast of Black actors in a mainstream film—something that was still rare in 1975.
The film had heart, humor, and soul, showing that Black stories didn’t always have to be about trauma.

This opened the door for future films about Black adolescence, paving the way for movies like House Party, The Wood, Love & Basketball, and ATL.

2. The Soundtrack Defined a Generation

Cooley High was one of the first films to use a Motown soundtrack, which became a game-changer for Black cinema.

🎶 The film’s soundtrack was filled with classic hits from The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and The Four Tops, making it one of the most iconic movie soundtracks of the era.

“My Girl” – The Temptations
“Baby Love” – The Supremes
“Reach Out, I’ll Be There” – The Four Tops
“Just My Imagination” – The Temptations

This inspired future Black films to use R&B, hip-hop, and soul soundtracks to help tell their stories (think Waiting to Exhale, Love & Basketball, and Boyz n the Hood).

3. It Inspired One of the First Black Sitcoms – What’s Happening!!

If you ever watched What’s Happening!! (1976-1979), you probably didn’t know it was based on Cooley High!

Eric Monte, who wrote Cooley High, used the film as inspiration to create What’s Happening!!, which followed three Black teens in Los Angeles.
The sitcom toned down the drama but kept the humor and slice-of-life storytelling, making it one of the first successful Black sitcoms on television.
Without Cooley High, we might not have gotten later classic sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, or Everybody Hates Chris.

4. Realism in Black Storytelling

Unlike the blaxploitation films of the 1970s that featured exaggerated action and crime, Cooley High felt real.

The setting—Cabrini-Green public housing in Chicago—gave it a raw and authentic feel.
The dialogue was natural and relatable, thanks to Eric Monte, who based the script on his real-life experiences growing up in Chicago.
The film didn’t sugarcoat the struggles of Black youth, but it also didn’t reduce Black life to suffering.

This influenced later filmmakers, including John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood), Spike Lee (Crooklyn), and Barry Jenkins (Moonlight).

The Cast of Cooley High

Glynn Turman as Preach – The smart, ambitious, but trouble-prone protagonist. Turman would later go on to star in A Different World and The Wire.
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Cochise – Preach’s best friend, a smooth-talking basketball player with a promising future. He later starred in Welcome Back, Kotter.
Garrett Morris as Mr. Mason – The strict but caring teacher who sees potential in his students.
Corin Rogers as Pooter – The comic relief of the friend group, known for his hilarious antics.
Maurice Leon Havis as Willie – Another friend of Preach and Cochise.
Joseph Carter Wilson as Tyrone – A small but important part of the crew.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Became a Cult Classic – Cooley High is now regarded as one of the greatest Black films ever made.
Inspired Hip-Hop Culture – Rappers like Tupac, Nas, and Common referenced Cooley High in their music.
Was a Blueprint for Black Coming-of-Age Films – Movies like Boyz n the Hood, ATL, Juice, Love & Basketball, and The Wood all owe something to Cooley High.

Final Thoughts

As we celebrate Black History Month, Cooley High remains a must-watch for anyone who loves authentic Black storytelling. It’s a film about friendship, dreams, and the realities of growing up Black in America.

If you love stories that blend real-life struggles with humor, heart, and hope, check out my novel series S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™—where the fight for a better future is at the heart of the story.

📖 Order your autographed copy today at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop!