Black Mama, White Mama

Inspired by the 1958 Sidney Poitier/Tony Curtis film The Defiant Ones, this 1973 exploitation flick by veteran director Eddie Romero is set on an unnamed island nation and stars Pam Grier as Lee Daniels, a hooker arrested on drug charges after robbing her pimp—a sadistic drug lord who wants his money back. Daniels lands in one of those tropical women's prisons so common to ‘70s drive-in movies, complete with group showers with a peephole for the guards and a sweltering metal box called "the oven" where prisoners are sent for punishment. Margaret Markov plays prisoner Karen Brent, an American girl turned revolutionary fighter who is shackled to Daniels for transport when the pair make their escape. Unlike The Defiant Ones, the tension here has more to do with class than race and the two woman have opposing agendas. Daniels just wants to get off the island before the drug lord tracks her down, but Brent is committed to making sure the rebels get much-needed guns for their revolution. Cult actor Sid Haig—a familiar face in ‘70s exploitation cinema—costars as a flamboyant bounty hunter hired to track Daniels down. This was Grier's fourth women-in-prison film (and Markov's second), but apart from the shackles and a grimly cynical climax, there is nothing novel or memorable about the uninspired, cheaply made Black Mama, White Mama (its cult status is largely due to the presence of Grier and Haig). Extras include audio commentary by filmmaker Andrew Leavold, new interviews with Markov and Haig, an archival interview with Romero, and a stills gallery. Not recommended. (S. Axmaker)