Pam Grier was on a roll during the 1970s at the height of blaxploitation, action, and women in prison films. Such roles and the success of some of her films in said genres made her prominent, with Rotten Tomatoes ranking her as the “second Greatest Female Action Heroine in film history.” Her first movie project was Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), where she played a bit role. The next year, she starred in The Big Doll House and Women in Cages, both prison films. The 1970s were a busy decade for the American actress, and in 1985, she forayed into theater with Fool for Love.
Aside from movies, she also entered the world of television in such series as Smallville, Crime Story, Linc’s, and Miami Vice, among others. Director Quentin Tarantino described Grier as “cinema’s first female action star.” Grier worked with Tarantino in Jackie Brown (1997), which revitalized her career and that of Robert Forster – both earning nominations from the Golden Globe Awards (Best Actress) and Academy Awards (Best Actor), respectively. Grier is not done yet, as she is expected to star in the sequel to Pet Sematary (2019). Renowned film critic Roger Ebert, who screenplayed Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, said that Grier is more than just beauty, and that she does action right.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Bucktown (1975)
American International Pictures
Fred Williamson co-starred with Grier in the blaxploitation film Bucktown. It follows a man (Williamson) who went to Bucktown after the murder of his brother. While facing threats, he met his brother’s former girlfriend (Grier), a lady also wanted by his friend (Thalmus Rasulala). Though it had negative reviews, Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised Williamson and Grier, saying they displayed “enough of their own private wit to save the movie from seeming to be quite the mess it is.” One Rotten Tomatoes probably said it best that Bucktown is a “standout but little-known gem of the blaxploitation genre.”
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 Bones (2001)
New Line Cinema
Bones was a flop but is now considered a cult classic. This horror flick stars rapper Snoop Dogg, a murdered man who comes back from the grave to avenge his death while Grier plays his lover. The Austin Chronicle praised the actress, saying “she throws herself into the role and isn’t a damn bit afraid to look silly, which makes her part all the more juicy and memorable.” Before that, the review said that “any film that casts Grier as a moaning, jewelry-bedecked neighborhood psychic has got some mighty big cajones…” The box office of Bones lacked calcium, but the performances of Snoop Dogg and Grier deserve applause.
6 Drum (1976)
United Artists
Grier plays the role of a slave in the film Drum, based on the novel by Kyle Onstott. A sequel to Mandingo (1975), this movie starred Ken Norton as a slave named Drum, and his owner, played by Warren Oates. Though one reviewer was disappointed that Grier’s role was “surprisingly underwritten, and she does none of her trademark a**-kicking.” Nonetheless, it said that “Drum is more fast-paced and entertaining than its predecessor, and any movie that includes Warren Oates and Pam Grier in its cast has to be considered a must-see ’70s classic.” Grier played “a stunningly beautiful slave woman” in this flick, and fans of Mandingo should not miss its continuation.
5 Black Mama, White Mama (1973)
Black Mama, White Mama stars Grier and Margaret Markov, a prostitute and rebel leader, respectively. The two opposing figures were chained during a botched prison transfer, and they must escape the army even as they hate each other. This women-in-prison movie was directed by Filipino director and National Artist Eddie Romero, and it was praised for a theme that tackled feminism. One reviewer praised the actresses for their “solid performances.” Clayton Dillard of Slant Magazine said the movie “became a key reference point for postmodern mash-up artists,” making it a must-see for Grier fans.
4 The Big Doll House (1971)
New World Pictures
Alongside Women in Cages (1971) and The Big Bird Cage (1972), The Big Doll House is among Grier’s most notable women in prison films. This estrogen-filled flick follows a group of prisoners as they plan their escape. It was the movie that introduced Grier to the rest of Hollywood (she had a bit role in her first movie). A reviewer said that “Pam Grier is already a force to be reckoned with in this, her first significant role… and the only reason she doesn’t walk away with the whole film is that she’s joined by Roberta Collins and Sid Haig.”
3 Foxy Brown (1974)
The blaxploitation film Foxy Brown, though received poorly by some critics, was a financial success and cemented the branding of Grier in the industry. It is included in “The Best Blaxploitation Movies of All Time” list of Complex, as it should be as Vice considers it “revolutionary,” saying “Foxy Brown pioneered the female action hero and subverted genre tropes—and made Grier a bankable star in an age where few black women landed leading roles.” She later on appeared in the martial arts film The Man with the Iron Fists (2012). Los Angeles Times said the actress achieved “icon status,” thanks to her films such as Foxy Brown. Grier and her great character Foxy Brown live on.
2 Coffy (1973)
Before Foxy Brown, there was Coffy, the movie that paved the way for making a brand for Grier in action and blaxploitation genres. This revenge movie was noted for its portrayal of a strong black female character – a femme fatale. Ebert had kind words for the film, saying “what makes “Coffy” interesting is Miss Grier herself.” The critic added, “She’s beautiful, as I’ve already mentioned, but she also has a kind of physical life to her that is sometimes missing in beautiful actresses. She doesn’t seem to be posing or doing the fashion-model bit; she gets into an action role and does it right.”
1 Jackie Brown (1997)
Miramax Films
As mentioned earlier, Jackie Brown revitalized the role of Grier, and it did so with class as the actress earned nominations for her performance in this crime flick. It was based on Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch and an homage to the blaxploitation genre, particularly to Grier’s previous films Coffy and Foxy Brown. Ebert gave it four stars, praising Grier for finding “just the right note for Jackie Brown.” Empire’s Adam Smith, meanwhile, lauded the actress for her “outstanding” performance. The Guardian commended Grier and Samuel L. Jackson for being “both explosively good,” with the former delivering “a magnificent performance.”
