Cleopatra Jones (Warner Bros.) (1973)

‘Cleopatra Jones’ Proves to be Special Kind of Film on Drugs Drugs have been the focal point of a recent rash of motion pictures dealing variously with the smuggling, the profits, the pushers and the victims. ‘‘The French Connection’’ for example, dealt with drugs at the point of entry into this country, while ““Superfly’’ was about the possible influence of films about drugs on youthful audiences. Now, along comes‘‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ which deals with the subject in special ways. The Warner Bros. action thriller, opening at the Theatre, tackles the problem at its source. Tamara Dobson, starting in the title role, is a special agent who works with anti-drug forces from community leaders up to Interpol agents in Europe. The opening scene in the film shows Cleopatra Jones in Turkey, supervising the destruction of a field of opium poppies. The picture also shows her activity back home at the Brothers & Sisters House, a drug rehabilitation center in the ghetto. Tamara Dobson, who was picked from 2,500 hopefuls, is the perfect choice. for the heroine, who moves with style and grace between the glamour world of the jet set, the twilight world of the ghetto, and the underworld of drugs. Because of her regal height, 6’2’’, and her demeanor, she makes the transitions with unquestioned credibility. One moment Cleopatra Jones is lounging in her apartment, dressed in a flowing outfit that is part of the special wardrobe created for the film by Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo, and the next moment she is_ stalking the ruthless hoodlums who are members of Mommy’s gang. The character Tamara Dobson plays is a distinct departure from the trend set by current films. She is a special kind of heroine, a woman who is agile enough to drop an opponent with a well-placed karate chop, yet feminine enough to demonstrate a deep and tender love for her man. Cleopatra Jones is a new screen heroine, and Tamara Dobson is a new screen star. They both make their bow in the exciting Warner Bros. production, directed by Jack Starrett for producer William Tennant, from a screenplay by Tennant, Max Julien and Sheldon Keller. BERNIE CASEY and TAMARA DOBSON star in ‘‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ a Warner Bros. release, opening___at the Theatre, produced by William Tennant, directed by Jack Starrett, also starring Brenda Sykes, Antonio Fargas and Shelley Winters. Mat 2-A Preparedness Propelled Tamara ‘*Be prepared!’’ is more than a Boy Scout motto. It is also the advice Tamara Dobson received from her mother and father while she was growing up in Baltimore, Maryland. That advice proved its worth when Tamara was picked from 2,500 hopeful actresses in six cities to star in the title role of Warner Bros.’ “Cleopatra Jones,” which opens at athe Theatre. Bernie Casey, Shelley Winters, Brenda Sykes and Antonio Fargas also star. Upon Tamara’s arrival in Hollywood, she was turned over to the experts at Warner Bros. who are veterans at the art of transforming newcomers into stars. One of the most important persons who took Tamara in hand was Claudia Franck, dialogue coach on _ ‘‘Cleopatra ianes."' Although she had left Baltimore to persue a modeling career, Tamara’s horizon broadened once she arrived in New York. She decided to become an actress, and at the suggestion of Sidney Poitier, enrolled with the noted drama coach Paul Mann. ‘*Paul Mann is a man so rich in life,’’ Tamara says. ‘‘The inspiration, the spirituality just comes out of him when he’s talking to you.” TAMARA DOBSON is ‘‘Cleopatra Jones’’ in the Warner Bros. release opening—_ at the ___ Theatre, produced by William Tennant, directed by Jack Starrett, also starring Bernie Casey, Brenda Sykes’~ and Shelley Winters. Mat 1-A Bernie Casey is One Tall Story Bernie Casey, the male lead in Warner Bros. ‘‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ opening at the Theatre, is an imposing 6’4’’ tall, and it is inevitable that he stands out in any group. But nowhere did he attract as much attention than when filming scenes for the picture in and around Los Angeles. The movie fans among the spectators recognized Casey from past screen appearances; he was in nine motion pictures before joining the cast of ‘‘Cleopatra Jones.”’ Many of the older spectators confessed they first became acquainted with him during his playing days with the Los Angeles Rams football team. One day the company happened to be filming next door to a school, and shortly after the bell rang for recess, the entire student body rushed to the edge of the playground, pushing and shoving for a better glimpse of what was happening on the other side of the chain link fence. Some of the bolder ones slipped through the gate and surrounded their movie hero. Through it all, Casey smilingly obliged his admirers with his autograph, plus some kindly advice about staying in school. He is keenly aware of the value of a good education, having earned his bachelor’s and also master’s degree in fine arts at Bowling Green University in Ohio. Opening Today ‘‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ the new action thriller from Warner Bros., opens today at the ____Theatre. The film, which tackles the drug problem at its source, stars Tamara Dobson in the title role and also stars Bernie Casey, Brenda Sykes and Antonio Fargas. It was produced by William Tennant and directed by Jack Starrett from a screenplay by Tennant, Max Julien and Sheldon Keller. Tamara Dobson Steals Starring Role Away From 2,500 Hopefuls Look out James Bond, John Shaft and all you other superdudes, here comes Cleopatra Jones! She’s the sensational soul sister romping through the Warner Bros. film, ‘‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ which opens____at the Dobson, all 6’2’’ of her, who grabbed the choice part from 2,500 hopefuls interviewed in a nationwide talent search. Also starring are Bernie Casey, who appeared in ‘‘Hit Man;’’ Brenda Sykes, who costarred in Jim Brown’s ‘Black Gunn;’’ and the young Black actor, Antonio Fargas, who is drawing raves for his performance in the film ‘‘Across 110th Street.”’ Cleopatra Jones, a special agent in the international war against drugs, is the creation of Black writer, Max Julien. He, producer William Tennant and Sheldon Keller wrote the screenplay. Julien is also coproducer of the film. The director is Jack Starrett, whose last picture is the boxoffice SHELLEY WINTERS and TAMARA DOBSON are at each others throats in this scene _ from ‘*Cleopatra Jones,’’ a Warner Bros. release, opening at the Theatre, also starring Bernie Casey and Brenda Sykes, directed by Jack Starrett for producer William Tennant. Mat I1-B Brenda’s Film Singing Debut Petite Brenda Sykes makes her screen singing debut in the Warner Bros.’ action thriller, ‘‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ and does such an outstanding job that producer Bill Tennant predicts at least one of her songs in the film will make the record charts. In “‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ opening-__.at the___Theatre, Brenda portrays a singer, who is romantically involved with the underworld owner of the night club where she appears. Also starring in the film are Tamara Dobson in the title role, Bernie Casey, Shelley Winters and Antonio Fargas. ‘When Tiffany, the girl I play, was described to me I said ‘but I can’t sing, ’’ Brenda explained, ‘‘but after some coaching and lots of rehearsals, here I am singing!”’ Asked to describe her voice, Brenda laughed and said, ‘‘I’ve ae S| been told it’s ‘low and breathy’. Theatre. In the title role is Tamara ’ hit, ‘‘Slaughter,’’ starring Jim Brown. Noteworthy among the technical crew of ‘‘Cleopatra Jones’’ is the number of Blacks working behind the camera. The hairdresser is Ann Waddlington, who broke into the formerly all-white union on the TV series, ‘‘Julia.’’ Gertha Brock is in charge of women’s wardrobe, a position she filled on the production of ‘‘Book of Numbers.’’ Cheryl Kearney, who worked on ‘‘Lady Sings the Blues,’’ «is set decorator; Ernie Robinson, regarded by many as ‘‘the best in the business,’’ is stunt coordinator and Bong So Hon is karate technical advisor, as he was on the film, ‘‘Billy Jack.’’ Meaty Role for Shelley Winters describes a? Shelley Winters her part in ‘“‘Cleopatra Jones as a ‘‘godmother type of role’’ and the character she plays is all of that...and more. Miss Winters stars as ‘“‘Mommy’’ in the Warner Bros. action thriller, opening at the_____Theatre, which also stars Tamara Dobson in the title role, Bernie Casey, Brenda Sykes and Antonio Fargas. The part gives the two-time Academy Award winning actress plenty of opportunity to deliver the kind of bravura performance that has won her so many honors. ‘“‘Mommy’’ is the ruthless leader of a gang of drug dealers and pushers who is determined to annihilate Cleopatra Jones because tthe Black female special agent has dedicated her life to crusading against the evil traffic. The action builds to an exciting climax when Mommy and Cleopatra Jones clash in hand-to-hand combat. Miss Winters appears especially villainous garbed in black leather and wielding a lethal sword-cane. Her study is dominated by a bust of Adolf Hitler that adds a grisly touch to the Gothic atmosphere. “T’m really having fun doing this picture,’ Miss Winters said while filming her role. All one morning she had been rehearsing a ‘karate trick. of flipping a man over her shoulder and was pleased by the praise of technical advisor, Bong Soo Han. In ‘‘Cleopatra Jones,’’ Miss Winters enjoys a change of pace in a role that is totally different from that in her latest picture, “The Poseidon Adventure,’’ and from those that brought her two Oscars. It’s another meaty role she can sink her teeth into, and not worry about the calories: COPYRIGHT © 1973 BY WARNER BROS. INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ———