CLEOPATRA JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD

US, 1975, 90 minutes, Colour.
Tamara Dobson, Stella Stevens, Norman Fell.
Directed by Chuck Bain.

Cleopatra Jones/Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold: Box-office today (the mid-70s) suggests Women's lib., Black Power, tough cops, anti-drugs, cars and bikes, karate, sleazy crooks, big boss etc. Here they all are, dressed up quite efficiently and slickly too to make this effort one of the best and most enjoyable of its kind. Model 6'2" tall, Tamara Dobson has style and the makings of a black super-heroine (and of TV series). Villainesses are the epitome of American Momism (called 'Mommy') with Shelley Winters underacting and overscreeching to effect, or sultry Stella Stevens. Clearly made for U.S. black audiences to cheer to (and with in-black jokes and style) it is popular enough entertainment and classy matinee cops and robbers.

1. What was the impact of this adventure film? How enjoyable? For what audience was it made?

2. How successful was it within its thriller genre? Crime, violence, the police, drugs?

3. Comment on the visual presentation of the film and its style: wide screen, locations, lavish sets, costumes, the oriental overtones.

4. How interesting and enjoyable was Cleopatra Jones as a heroine? What are the characteristics of heroism in this feminine policeman? The emphasis on fashions, on her dedication to her job, her capacity for fighting, her sense of law and right order? Was she an attractive and credible heroine? Comic -book heroine?

5. Miss Big as the villainess? A sufficient counter to Cleopatra Jones? Black versus white, heroine versus evil woman? Miss Big as a person, her style, her perversion, her running of the Casino, the final fight?

6. The contrast of the Chinese girl as an efficient policewoman and agent? As a contrast with Miss Big and Cleopatra Jones.

7. How convincing were the villains? Stereotypes? The number that were killed in the Casino?

8. The presentation of the police? The exasperated American? The local Chinese police?

9. Comment on the film's violence, cruelty, sadism. The necessity of such police work?

10. Should the film in any way be considered realistically? If it is considered as the equivalent of a comic, how successful was it?