#57 Claudia Jennings

Claudia Jennings was one of the few Playboy playmates to make a successful transition to the silver screen, where she was known as “Queen of the B’s.” The stunning redhead specialized in what’s been termed “hicksploitation” movies, a popular ‘70s genre that featured swamps, moonshine, bad Southern accents, a prominent lack of dentition, and jailbait in cutoff jean shorts. Cludia often played a feisty, lusty proto-feminist character who could stand up for herself. Tragically, Jennings died in a car accident before turning 30.

Embarrassing Real Name:  Mary Ellen (“Mimi”) Chesterton

Embarrassing Real Birthplace:  St. Paul, MN

Embarrassing Movies

• The Love Machine
• Deathsport 
• Group Marriage
• Moonshine County Express
• ‘Gator Bait *
• Truck Stop Women *
• Sisters of Death *

* - author has seen

Embarrassing Taglines

• A locker room look at the toughest broads in the world!
• Half Clad – All Bad!
• 100 Proof Women Running Shine 'Cross The County Line!
• Double-clutchin'... gear-jammin' mamas who like a lot of hi-jackin' by day... a lot of heavy truckin' by night!

Unlikely Spouses & Boyfriends

• Hugh Hefner
• Warren Beatty
• Ron Wood
• Keith Richards
• David Bowie

Whiffs of Scandal

• Lots of appearances in Playboy
• Drug abuse

Untimely Demise:  Car accident (fell asleep at the wheel), age 29

Interesting Tidbits

• Her mom was a college professor
• National Merit Scholar, class officer in high school 
• Was actually a receptionist at Playboy before appearing as a playmate
• Was going to replace Kate Jackson  on Charlie’s Angels, but the network got cold feet
• Was once on The Brady Bunch

Where can I learn more?

• Hick Flicks: The Rise and Fall of Redneck Cinema, By Scott Von Doviak
• Chicago Reader
• Cult Sirens 
• Racks and Razors
• IMDb
• Wikipedia

It was a popular pose

 

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