Foxy Brown

"Foxy Brown" And The Rise Of Pam Grier In Blaxploitation Indie Movies

It’s not by chance that “Foxy Brown” shares a last name with “Jackie Brown.” Director Quentin Tarantino made what some critics deem his best, more mature movie as a homage to Pam Grier. The actress gave her striking presence to both characters. The validation was a long time coming. The queen of Blaxploitation cinema began her career toiling in Roger Corman’s factory of low budget movies, starting with the girls-in-prison drama “The Big Doll House” (1971). The Pope of Pop Cinema could recognize budding stars at the drop of a hat. Jack Nicholson was one of many stars who paid his dues in Corman movies. That project introduced her to director Jack Hill, who would go on to direct her in her two signature roles of the era: first, “Coffy” (1973) and then, “Foxy Brown” (1974).