They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970) *** [Virgil Tibbs Triple Feature Pt. 2]

Minus the racial tension, They Call Me Mister Tibbs (1970) plays like a TV movie compared to its powerhouse predecessor In The Heat Of The Night (1967) (review). There’s some political context here and there but mostly this sequel unfolds as a fairly straightforward procedural. I’m a sucker for late 60s/early 70s procedurals though (I love the atmosphere, look, and sound)—complete with requisite car and foot chases. Plus Quincy Jones returns to score, providing  plenty of groovy jazz/funk/rock cues, and Sidney Poitier delivers another cool, calm, collected performance as Virgil Tibbs (though his fathering skills are definitely questionable).