Screen Sirens Scream!: Interviews with 20 Actresses from Science Fiction, Horror, Film Noir and Mystery Movies, 1930s to 1960s

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.