Coffy (American International Pictures) (1973)

PAM GRIER STARS IN STARTLING NEW KIND OF MOVIE “Coffy” is a “first.” Pam Grier, in American International’s “Coffy,” personally and violently gets vengeance against the men who have ruined her eleven-year-old sister. She takes justice and guns into her own hands to blast down the dope pushers who are destroying youngsters. It can be seen when “Coffy” opens 2.0... eee at the 22. Theatre. Pam has seen the devastating effect of naroctics within her own family, so her depiction of the enraged Coffy is doubly real. She advised Jack Hill, who wrote and directed “Coffy,” about many of the situations and characters in the fast-paced drama. “Coffy” was filmed in and around Los Angeles, on “actual” locations. It has the ring of truth and the ring of bullets. It is a smashing, no-holds-barred story of retaliation. Pam plays a young woman who is of exactly the same ancestry as she herself actually is. Jack Hill describes her in the screenplay as “a remarkable piece of racial blending, part Afro, part Mexican, part Indian and a bit of Filipino around the eyes.” Pam is just about the busiest actress in Hollywood. Before she made “Coffy” she co-starred in American International’s “Black Mama, White Mama.” After “Coffy” she immediately went into the starring role opposite William Marshall in “Scream, Blacula, Scream.” Born Pamala Suzette Grier, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she was relocated just a few weeks after her birth to Denver, Colorado. The family was then moved to Swindon, England, just west of London. By the time, five years later, when the family was moved to Travis Air Force Base, Pam had acquired a delightful Cockney accent. Finally the Griers returned to Denver where her father retired from service. They lived in a rough neighborhood, about which she reminisces: “The girls in my school would tease me about my ‘funny’ accent and chase me home almost every day. They never caught me though.” Tomboy though she was, Pam never neglected the other facets of her developing character. She sang with a gospel choir which appeared on television every Sunday, was president of the drama society in her school, and was a member of the debating team. She also maintained an excellent grade level and entered Metropolitan State College with the intention of becoming a doctor. If Pam is in love with Hollywood, then conversely, Hollywood is in love with her. The love affair began when she started as a switchboard operator at American International and grew through her first bit role in “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.” On stage it was “Blues for Mr. Charlie,” by James Baldwin, and “Carnival Island” with the Ebony Showcase. There were also background vocals for her cousin Rosey Grier, Bobby Womack, Lou Rawls and commercials. Her first leading role was in “The Big Doll House,” where she also sang the theme. Besides Pam, “Coffy’s” cast consists of Bill Elliott, Booker Bradshaw, Sid Haig, Allan Arbus, Robert DoQui and many other well-considered actors. It was directed by Jack Hill from his own script, with Robert A. Papazian as producer. SCENE MAT 1-A PAM IN PERIL—Pam Grier stars in her most perilous part yet in American International’s “Coffy,” which opens........ atthe ........... Theatre. In the crime drama Pam singlehandedly knocks off the drug pushers who have destroyed her eleven-year-old sister. This is the most violent and colorful role of Pam’s career, and she is surrounded by an outstanding cast which includes Bill Elliott, Booker Bradshaw, Sid Haig, Allan Arbus and Robert DoQui. Sid Haig, Big Bad Guy Sid Haig plays Omar, an underworld “enforcer,” in American International’s “Coffy,” which opens .......0.0.00..0.0.... at the be cht tee Theatre. He is also a heavy in AIP’s “Black Mama, White Mama,” and his other recent feature credits include “Emperor of the North Pole,” “The Big Bird Cage” and “Big Doll House.” He is six-feetfour-inches tall, and has a sinister appearance which is relieved by a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. In “Coffy” he tries to rape and kill Pam Grier. “Coffy” was written and directed by Jack Hill, for producer Robert A. Papazian. Besides Miss Grier and Haig it stars Bill Elliott, Booker Bradshaw, Allan Arbus, Robert DoQui and many other well-regarded actors. Former Fashion Photographer Now Actor Allan Arbus was selected for the ‘pivotal role of Vitroni, top underworld leader in American International’s “Coffy,” which OpeNS..........-. at the 0000... In the film Vitroni is the ultimate target in the war of vengeance waged by Coffy, as depicted by Pam Grier. Arbus was a fashion photographer before he became an actor. He is now in steady demand for motion pictures, and has a long list of credits which inclues “Cisco Pike,” “Greaser’s Palace,” “The Christian Licorice Store” and “Putney Swope.” With Miss Grier and Arbus in “Coffy” are Bill Elliott, Booker Bradshaw, Sid Haig, Robert Do Qui and many other fine actors. It was directed by Jack Hill from his own script. Robert A. Papazian produced. PUBLICIT Booker Bradshaw— From Harvard To "Coffy" Booker Bradshaw has one of the most important parts in American International’s “Coffy.” He depicts Brunswick, the crooked politician loved by Pam Grier. Their affair is punctuated by bullets in the drama which Bradshaw is a product of Harvard University and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He appeared on Broadway in “Where’s Daddy,” “You Can’t Take It With You” and “The Kitchen.” He has _ performed with Helen Hayes, has been in 30 television shows, and was featured in “Midnight Cowboy.” He co-starred in the features “Strawberry Statement,” “Skullduggery” and “Time.” He has written and sold three screenplays, to ABC-TV, to Screen Gems and to Host Productions in Montreal. Also in the cast of “Coffy” are Bill Elliott, Sid Haig, Allan Arbus, Robert DoQui and several other colorful actors. It was written and directed by Jack Hill, with Robert A. Papazian as producer. Two of the Prominent Character Actors in "Coffy™ Robert DoQui has the colorful role of King George in American International’s “Coffy,” which opens .....0000.0.0202.20--at the Eee eee eee Theatre. He plays an underworld boss who lives in splendor and is involved with Pam Grier. He has had major roles in such films as “The Man,” “Soul Soldier,” “The Cincinnati Kid” and “Fortune Cookie.” Ruben Moreno enacts the part of Ramos, a mobster, in “Coffy.” Moreno’s motion picture credits include “Little Big Man.” He has been featured in many television series segments. “Coffy” was written and directed by Jack Hill, with Robert A. Papazian as producer. SCENE MAT 2-A SCENE MAT 1-B BILL ELLIOTT’S BEST MOVIE ROLE — Bill Elliott has had a highly successful career in television, as one of the stars of “Bridget Loves Bernie,’ and in films, yet his finest part so far comes in American International’s “‘Coffy.’”” He plays an honest policeman who is in love with Pam Grier and tries to help her destroy a dope mob. ‘‘Coffy’”’ opens............ at the Siet Spee: Saad ees Theatre. In real life Elliott is the husband of singer Dionne Warwicke. Bill Elliott Now on The Big Screen Bill Elliott plays the key role of Carter, a young black policeman who defies the underworld in American International’s “Coffy.” He is in love with Pam Grier, who is infatuated with a glib politician. These relationships are part of the hard-hitting crime drama which opens sotig code tashecsheseers Qt the: css hecssseceste Theatre. Elliott was a star of the recent CBS-TV series “Bridget Loves Bernie.” Others in the cast of “Coffy” are Booker Bradshaw, Sid Haig, Allan Arbus, Robert DoQui and Morris Buchanan. It was directed and written by Jack Hill. PAM AND CRIME KING — Pam Grier tricks Allan Arbus into becoming intimate with her in American International’s ‘Coffy,’’ which opens at the Theatre. Pam’s motive is to destroy every member of the dope ring who contributed to the ruination of her eleven-year-old sister. Pam has starred in three consecutive American International films, the other two being “Black Mama, White Mama” and “Scream, Blacula, Scream.” Arbus is one of Hollywood’s busiest actors.