Like many blaxploitation films from the era, critical reviews of "Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde" thought the film was subpar. Especially in the case of the blaxploitation horror subgenre, films were considered successful if they did well in the box office, yet it was clear that production companies were not trying to win any awards. In the case of "Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde", Bernie Casey was one of the primary selling points of the movie. The "Atlanta Daily World" raved about Casey in a 1976 article. Casey was described as a “modern Renaissance Man” who excelled as a scholar, an artist, and an athlete. At the time of the premiere of "Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde" in Atlanta, GA at the RIALTO, Casey was highly regarded, as he had received critical acclaim for his role in "Guns of the Magnificent Seven", "Cleopatra Jones" and "Maurie."