Cleopatra Jones (1973)

Cleopatra Jones is an undercover secret agent, international glamazon supermodel, and martial arts master who vows to protect her community from the ravages of drug addiction. Her arch nemesis is Mommy, the nefarious butch drug queenpin who takes revenge on Cleopatra for stopping her lucrative heroin trade. Car chases, bell bottoms, and the funky fight against white supremacy!

• Directed by Jack Starrett

• Screenplay by Max Julien & Sheldon Keller

• Starring Tamara Dobson, Shelley Winters, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas

• Costume design by Italian fashion designer, Giorgio di Sant'Angelo

There’s never a dull moment in this Blaxploitation classic. As a fan of the genre and other women led “exploitation“ films from the 60s-70s, I was pleasantly shocked at the levels of complexity in this sorta feminist storyline. Sure, Cleopatra Jones is technically a fed, but she always positions the Black community above all else, much to the chagrin of the sloppy, racist LAPD. The treatment of hypersexual lesbian villain Mommy, however, is definitely homophobic and indicative of the heteronormative Black power rhetoric from that time. In opposition to Mommy‘s white butch evil is Cleopatra’s feminine, strong Black heroine. But my god… the iconic Shelley Winters is ooey gooey camp greatness in this performance. Overall, the treatment of Black women in this movie is quite fascinating in comparison to other Blaxploitation films and Cleopatra is a superfly, high kicking, fabulous Black heroine. Also, I felt homesick for SoCal watching her zoom through Downtown and Central LA in her fancy car. Shoutout to Antonio Fargas as smart talkin, super skinny crime boss Doodlebug.

Trivia!

• All of Tamara Dobson's costumes were designed exclusively by her fashion collaborator, Giorgio di Sant'Angelo. Furs, silks, truly the epitome of GLAMOUR.

• Cleopatra's 1973 Corvette Stringray was customized to not squish her iconic fro.

• One of the most expensive Blaxploitation films at the time.

• Cameo from Esther Rolle!

• Co written by the late Max Julien, star of The Mack (1973).

• Some quotes that made me scream:

  • "My jurisdiction extends from Ankara, Turkey to Watts Tower, baby."

  • "See you around, Super Honky!"

  • A little kid on rollerskates raises his fist to Cleopatra and says, "Bad ain't got nothin to do with that, right on sweet sista!"

  • Another kid comments on her car, "Right on! First phone booth I ever seen with mag wheels."

  • "The next time you pull a razor on me, you better shave."

• Iconic tagline: "Six feet two inches and all of it Dynamite!"

Recommend?

Absolutely!!! Cleopatra Jones is a great introduction to those unfamiliar with Blaxploitation films. I shrieked with laughter at this campy, funky wild ride, and then I wanted to kick some ASS!