It’s the 1970’S. American Cinema is a hot mess of tired tropes and young rebels trying to change the business. Among this era of crazy films and wild indulgence were the norm and movies like Shaft (1971) kicked off Blaxploitation cinema. It was a unique, if pandering, movement that gave voice to black culture and actors like never before.
One woman that stood out of from the crowd and became a pop culture icon was Pam Grier. Gorgeous and tough as nails, Grier shattered stereotypes of all sorts and became the first female to headline an America
She got her start with movies like The Big Doll House(1971), Women in Cages (1971), The Big Bird Cage (1972), and Black Mama, White Mama (1973).
But it was the movie Coffy (1973) that solidified her as an action star who could headline a movie. She played a woman who took the law into her own hands after drugs and violence ruined her family. This was followed by Foxy Brown (1974), Sheba Baby (1975) and a host of other movies whose subject matter was centered on black hero’s that bucked the system while standing for justice.
In the decades since the glory years of Blaxploitation, Grier has continued to act in various movies and television shows such as Escape From L.A (1996) and Law And Order: Special Victims Unit. She did make a comeback to her action star roots to take the lead role in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown (1997). Her performance garnered much critical acclaim and the movie is considered a modern classic.
So, enough with the stalling. Gaze upon the awesomeness of Pam Grier in some classic photos and posters from her long and amazing career!
PS. Sorry this one was late, that's why this one is packed with extra fun!
