Pam Grier was on a roll in the 1970s at the height of blaxploitation, action, and women in prison movies. 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 cinema history.” Her first film project was Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), where she played a small part. The following year she starred in The big dollhouse and women in cages, both prison movies. The 1970s were a busy decade for the American actress, and in 1985 she stepped into the theater with… fool for love.
In addition to films, she also entered the television world in series such as smallville, crime story, linc’sand Miami Vice, among other things. Director Quentin Tarantino described Grier as “the first female action star in cinema.” Grier worked with Tarantino in Jackie Brown (1997), which revived her and Robert Forster’s career – both earned nominations from the Golden Globe Awards (Best Actress) and Academy Awards (Best Actor), respectively. Grier isn’t done yet, as she is expected to star in the sequel to Pet Sematary (2019). Renowned film critic Roger Ebert, who played the screenplay Beyond the Valley of the Dollssaid that Grier is more than just beauty, and that she acts well.
8/8 Bucktown (1975)
Fred Williamson co-starred with Grier in the blaxploitation movie Bucktown. It follows a man (Williamson) who went to Bucktown after his brother’s murder. While under threat, he met his brother’s former girlfriend (Grier), a lady who was also wanted by his friend (Thalmus Rasulala). Although it had negative reviews, Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised Williamson and Grier, saying that they showed “enough of their own humor to keep the film from appearing to be quite a mess.” A Rotten Tomatoes probably said it best that Bucktown is a “striking but little-known gem of the blaxploitation genre.”
7/8 Bones (2001)
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bones was a flop, but is now considered a cult classic. This horror film 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 afraid to look silly at all, which makes her role all the more juicy and memorable.” Before that, the review said that “every movie Grier throws as a moaning, bejeweled neighborhood psychic has some mighty big cajones…” The box office of bones calcium was lacking, but Snoop Dogg and Grier’s performances deserve applause.
6/8 Drum (1976)
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Grier plays the role of a slave in the movie Drum, based on the novel by Kyle Onstott. A continuation on Mandingo (1975), this film starred Ken Norton as a slave named Drum, and his owner, played by Warren Oates. While one reviewer was disappointed that Grier’s role “surprisingly endorsed, and she’s doing nothing of her trademark.“Yet It Said That”Drum is faster and more entertaining than its predecessor, and any movie with Warren Oates and Pam Grier in the cast should be considered a must-see ’70s classic.” Grier played “a stunningly beautiful slave girl” in this film, and fans of Mandingo should not miss the sequel.
5/8 Black Mama, White Mama (1973)
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Black mommy, white mommy stars Grier and Margaret Markov, a prostitute and rebel leader respectively. The two opposing figures were chained up during a failed prison transfer, and they must escape the army, even though they hate each other. Directed by Filipino director and national artist Eddie Romero, this film about women in prison was praised for a theme that tackled feminism. A reviewer praised the actresses for their “solid performances.” Slant Magazine’s Clayton Dillard said the film “became a major point of reference for postmodern mashup artists,” making it a must-see for Grier fans.
4/8 The Great Dollhouse (1971)
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next Women in cages (1971) and The big birdcage (1972), The big doll house is one of Grier’s most notable wives in prison films. This estrogen-filled film follows a group of inmates as they plan their escape. It was the film that introduced Grier to the rest of Hollywood (she had a small part in her first film). One reviewer said that “Pam Grier is already a force to be reckoned with in this, her first major role…and the only reason she doesn’t walk away with the entire film is because she’s joined by Roberta Collins and Sid Haig.”
3/8 Foxy Brown (1974)
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The blaxploitation movie Foxy BrownAlthough poorly received by some critics, it was a financial success and cemented Grier’s branding in the industry. It’s included in Complex’s “The Best Blaxploitation Movies of All Time” list, as it should be if Vice considers it “revolutionary,” saying: “Foxy Brown pioneered the female action hero and subverted genre tropes — turning Grier into a bankable star at a time when few black women got lead roles.” She later appeared in the martial arts film The man with the iron fists (2012). According to the Los Angeles Times, the actress achieved icon status thanks to her films like Foxy Brown. Grier and her amazing character Foxy Brown live on.
2/8 Coffee (1973)
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Before Foxy Brownthere was coffee, the film that paved the way for making a brand for Grier in action and blaxploitation genres. This revenge movie was known 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 said, but she also has a kind of physical life to her that is sometimes lacking in beautiful actresses. She doesn’t seem to pose or do the fashion model; she gets an action role and does well.”
1/8 Jackie Brown (1997)
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As mentioned earlier, Jackie Brown revived the role of Grier, and it did so with class, as the actress earned nominations for her performance in this crime film. It was based on the novel by Elmore Leonard Rum Punch and a tribute to the blaxploitation genre, particularly Grier .’s earlier films coffee and Foxy Brown. Ebert gave it four stars and praised Grier for finding “just the right note for Jackie Brown.” Empire’s Adam Smith, meanwhile, praised the actress for her “outstanding” performance. The Guardian praised Grier and Samuel L. Jackson for being “both explosively good,” with the former delivering “an amazing performance.”