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N2Entertainment.net Remembers Tamara "Cleopatra Jones" Dobson
At 6 feet 2 inches tall, actress Tamara Dobson could strike quite a pose. The talented model turned actress was best known as one of the leading ladies of the blaxploitation era for her dynamic role in the 1973 movie, "Cleopatra Jones," and 1975's "Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold."
Dobson died on Oct. 2, 2006 at the Keswick Multi-Care Rehabilitation Center in her hometown of Baltimore, Md. from complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis. She was 59.
Prior to her film career, Dobson established herself as a top notch model working for magazines such as Ebony, Essence, Jet, and Vogue. She became a spokeswoman for Chanel and Revlon.
Dobson's film credits also included: "Norman, Is That You?", "Murder at the World Series," "Come Back; Charleston Blues" and "Chained Heat."
Dobson also made a smooth transition to television starring in the 1980's shows "Jason of Star Command" and "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century."
Dobson, who had been living in New York City for many years, had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nearly six years ago according to brother and publicist, Peter Dobson. In addition to her brother, Dobson is survived by a sister, Darilyn Dobson of Baltimore.
Funeral services are schedule for Oct. 13 at Union Baptist Church in Baltimore.
N2Entertainment.net dedicates this Month's Old School Video Pick to Tamara Dobson and her classic movie, "Cleopatra Jones." We applaud all of Dobson's big and small screen contributions to the entertainment world. She will truly be missed.
REVIEW OF "CLEOPATRA JONES"
She's a bad soul sista that doesn't take anything from anybody. She's Cleopatra Jones, an afro-wearing, fast talking, tough stalking United States Special Agent who's ready to take down every drug dealer that comes her way.
No one is too big for Cleopatra Jones not even the notorious drug lord, Mommy, (played with surprising style by Shelly Winters).
After Cleopatra Jones burns Mommy's Turkish poppy field, she makes Jones her number one priority on her hit list. She brings in some of her rogue cop friends to show Cleopatra Jones and her crew just who really is running things.
But not only does Mommy have her hands full with Cleopatra Jones who hunts her down in Los Angeles, but she also has to contend with her unreliable and shady pusher man, Doodlebug Simkins, played by the always wonderfully entertaining Antonio Fargas.
Dobson shows she's no push over and once she gets her mind made up to do something, it's on. That may sometimes mean leaving her handsome boyfriend Reuben (Bernie Casey) behind. But Cleopatra is on a mission and nothing can stand in her way. Although Reuben knows that the way to this woman's heart is a few round house kicks and karate chops. When she needs him, she knows he can bring it in this department too.
If you were looking for a movie that featured strong, black womanhood empowerment, you don't need to look any farther than, "Cleopatra Jones." With her Kung-Fu savvy, Cleopatra Jones personified toughness. Yet with her fashion style and feminine charm she also embodied an almost wholesome girl-next-door persona. Beside that, to this day, I haven't seen a woman yet who looks as cool on a motorcycle or in a Corvette as Cleopatra Jones does in this movie.
"Cleopatra Jones" was written and co-produced and directed by Max Julien, star of the 1973 movie, "The Mack" and Thomasine and Bushrod" (1974). It's a fun, campy, action packed movie with an anti-drug message delivered in grand style by Tamara Dobson who shines throughout the film.
It's too bad that we weren't able to see more of Dobson in films in recent years. She had such a towering screen presence and a style that was all her own.
If you haven't seen "Cleopatra Jones," and I can't imagine any blaxploitation fan who hasn't, then check out the movie and you'll see what I mean. Tamara Dobson was a class act who left us much too soon.
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