On September 13, 1973, actress Tamara Dobson appeared on the cover of Jet Magazine with the headline “Tamara Dobson: Tall, Tough and Talented Actress.” Dobson was riding high off the success of the first Cleopatra Jones movie, which was released in movie theaters in July of that same year. The Dobson-starring film was released at the zenith of the Blaxploitation film movement, complete with all of its hallmark elements – car chases, explosions, kung fu and comedy.

Directed by Jack Starrett from a script by Max Julien and Sheldon Keller, Tamara Dobson plays title character “Cleopatra Jones.” Dobson’s character is a U.S. Special Agent who proves to be an invaluable asset to local police forces in their war on drugs. The film also stars Bernie Casey, Brenda Sykes, Antonio Fargas, Dan Frazer, Bill McKinney, Stafford Morgan, Michael Warren, Albert Popwell, Caro Kenyatta and Esther Rolle.

Cleopatra Jones went on to be so popular, it would spawn a sequel two years later – Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. Part 2 upped the kung fu angle even more as America’s passion for martial arts blossomed in many community’s, particularly in urban cities.

“Casino of Gold” is directed by Charles Bail from a script by a returning Julien, along with Bill Tennant. The story centers on Cleopatra Jones traveling to Hong Kong in order to track down fellow operatives who disappear during an undercover mission. Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold also stars Stella Stevens, Ni Tien, Norman Fell, Albert Popwell, Caro Kenyatta, Shen Chan, Christopher Hunt, Chen-Chi Lin, Locke Hua Liu, Eddy Donno, Bobby Canavarro, Mui Kwok Sing, John Cheung, Kung-Wu Huang and Biu Gam.

Tamara Dobson’s other film roles include appearances in Amazons (1984), Chained Heat (1983), Murder at the World Series (1977), Norman… Is That You? (1976), Fuzz (1972), and Come Back Charleston Blue (1972), as well as roles in the television shows Jason of Star Command (1978), Sanford and Son (1972), and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979).