The biggest studio in the low-budget field remained a leader in exploitation's growth. In 1973, American International gave a shot to young director Brian De Palma. Reviewing "Sisters", Pauline Kael observed that its "limp technique doesn't seem to matter to the people who want their gratuitous gore. ... e can't get two people talking in order to make a simple expository point without its sounding like the drabbest Republic picture of 1938." Many examples of the blaxploitation genre, featuring stereotype-filled stories revolving around drugs, violent crime, and prostitution, were the product of AIP. One of blaxploitation's biggest stars was Pam Grier, who began her film career with a bit part in Russ Meyer's "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" (1970). Several New World pictures followed, including "The Big Doll House" (1971) and "The Big Bird Cage" (1972), both directed by Jack Hill. Hill also directed her best-known performances, in two AIP blaxploitation films: "Coffy" (1973) and "Foxy Brown" (1974).