I’ve always had a spot soft for that unique beauty and was most amazed in learning that she was born right here in Québec, Canada, on January 24, 1946. She made her film debut in 1965, turning up in two Russ Meyer projects, namely Mother Psycho (playing Ruby Bonner) and of course the legendary Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! as Rosie. I’ve haven’t talked a lot about Faster Pussycat on Cult Sirens since its launching, fearing to contribute some overkill exposure on a much-visited movie classic, but rest assured that it remains Cult Sirens favorite, as it embodies all that I adore and would like to see more of in cinematic productions starring dynamic female leads.

Sometimes overlooked by the formidable presence of Tura Satana, Haji nonetheless created her own spot in movie mythology. She turned up on no more than fifteen films to date, the last being the unbelievable Killer Drag Queens on Dope in 2003. I will never forget her short but tragic turn in Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks, suffering a fate that still horrifies and touches us in so graphic and exploitative a film, as she is interrogated and tortured by the pitiless title character.

Haji worked under the names of Haji Cat/Barbarella Catton/Haji Catton/Hadji and her real name is supposedly Baby Girl Downes (?). At the of her popularity, her measurements were 38D-23-37.

There’s a charming exotic dancer right here in Montreal that is close to being a Haji clone, baring the same physical attributes, charming accent and personality, with a mix of Elke the Stallion in her facial features. Not too bad, he? And I’ve have the privilege of knowing that delightful person for the last few years. Don’t wish for a photograph soon, though…