Pam Grier, Queen of Black Cinema, Comes to Berwyn Tonight

To movie buffs of my generation, Pam Grier is best known for playing the lead character in Quentin Tarantino's blaxploitation homage, Jackie Brown. But to most others, Grier is, and always will be, the Queen of Black Cinema.

Grier fans can get a chance to meet the cinema star in person at Reel Art, 6727 W. Stanley Ave., in Berwyn on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 5-7 p.m. Grier will be signing copies of her book, Foxy: A Life in Three Acts, movie posters and photos.

However, fair warning, Grier will be charging for those autographs.

Grier made her mark on cinema history in the 1970s when she was the star of several women in prison and blaxploitation movies, including 1974s Foxy Brown.

Grier found cultural prominence again with the release of Tarantino's film Jackie Brown, for which she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Grier's 2010 autobiography examines the actress's heyday in the 70s, but also pulls back the curtain to reveal a troubled past. From the New York Times book review:

“Foxy,” however, reveals a darker personal life, including, for the first time, the details of her sexual assault at 6. It also recounts the diagnosis of cervical cancer Ms. Grier received in her late 30s and the untimely deaths and suicides of family members and friends. There is space, too, for her romances with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who wanted her to convert to Islam), Freddie Prinze (who battled drugs and wanted her to have his baby) and Richard Pryor (who thought she could help save him from drugs).

About Reel Art:

Reel Art is the largest collectible dealer in Chicagoland featuring movie posters, rare books, comics and vintage toys. For more information, visit the store's website at www.reelartstore.com.