These twenty heroines portrayed imperiled women in science fiction, horror, film noir and mystery movies from the 1930s to the 1960s. Some--like Sandy Descher, who confronted the giant ants of Them!--were only girls when they faced their screen perils. Others--such as Mary Murphy, who played opposite Marlon Brando in The Wild One--were leading ladies in other film genres. Yet others--such as June Wilkinson, considered by many as Playboy's greatest model--came from outside the acting world.
Each interview is preceded by an introduction. Besides the three above, the interviewees are Ramsay Ames, Claudia Barrett, Jean Byron, Linda Christian, Faith Domergue, Amanda Duff, Evangelina Elizondo, Margaret Field, Mimi Gibson, Marilyn Harris, Kitty de Hoyos, Donna Martel, Joyce Meadows, Noreen Nash, Cynthia Patrick, Paula Raymond and Joan Taylor. Among the films they starred in are The Mummy's Ghost, Robot Monster, Tarzan and the Mermaids, This Island Earth, It Came from Beneath the Sea, Where Danger Lives, The Man from Planet X, The Monster That Challenged the World, Frankenstein, The Brain from Planet Arous, Phantom from Space, The Mole People, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms and Earth Vs. the Flying Saucers. Some interviews were previously published in a different form in fan magazines.
Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
Preface
1. RAMSAY AMES
Reminiscences of the Doomed Ananka
2. CLAUDIA BARRETT
Ro-Man’s Mate
3. JEAN BYRON
The Byronic Heroine
4. LINDA CHRISTIAN
Mermaid Enchantress
5. SANDY DESCHER
Child Star and Space Child
6. FAITH DOMERGUE
This Island Faith
7. AMANDA DUFF
Karloff ’s Screen Daughter
8. EVANGELINA ELIZONDO
Cinderella of Mexico
9. MARGARET FIELD
Meeting the Man from Planet X
10. MIMI GIBSON
Unleashing the Monster That Challenged the World
11. MARILYN HARRIS
Flower Girl from Frankenstein
12. KITTY DE HOYOS
Memoirs of a Lady Werewolf
13. DONNA MARTELL
Indian Princess and Space Commander
14. JOYCE MEADOWS
The Beauty and the Brain
15. MARY MURPHY
Wild One’s Sweetheart
16. NOREEN NASH
Encountering the Phantom from Space
17. CYNTHIA PATRICK
Mole-Man Memories
18. PAULA RAYMOND
Pursuing the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
19. JOAN TAYLOR
The Indian Maid vs. The Flying Saucers
20. JUNE WILKINSON
Defying Macumba Love
Index
About the Author :
Paul Parla has honed his knack for uncovering and rediscovering film stars since moving to Glendale, California, in 1983. The late Charles P. Mitchell was a librarian in Millinocket, Maine. He wrote on film for numerous periodicals and on music for several more and hosted radio shows about classical music in New York City and Portland, Maine.
Review :
“fascinating interviews...valued, insightful, highly recommended”—Midwest Book Review; “well-researched and always respectful...a fascinating book”—Shock Cinema; “conveys the essential warmth, pride, and appreciation of these actresses for their work...recommend[ed]”—Monsters from the Vault; “the warmth and resilience of these nearly forgotten actresses comes through in all the memories they share”—Big Reel; “an enviable collection of rare posters and photos”—Filmfax.
