Tamara Dobson

I would be remiss if I didn't note the recent passing of Tamara Dobson, forever immortalized in movie history as CLEOPATRA JONES, the tall, beautiful, butt-kickin', foxy mamma jamma heroine of two over the top early seventies films. Created by THE MACK's Max Julian, the character was played as a black female James Bond but the films, as viewed these days anyway, were almost laughable and surreal in their ridiculous villains (played by Shelley Winters in the first and Stella Stevens in CLEOPATRA JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD), forced hip dialogue and obviously choreographed fight scenes. In spite of that, Tamara Dobson brought a grace and presence to the role that makes you wish she'd done a lot more films. The teenage white boy I used to be never forgot you. Rest in peace, Ms. D.