Women in Horror Films, 1940s

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by Gregory William Mank

Type: Studies
Subject: Genre > Horror
Keywords: horror, 1940s, characters, women
Publishing date: 2005
1st publishing: 1999
Publisher: McFarland & Co
Language: English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 405 pages
7 x 10 inches (18 x 25.5 cm)

ISBN-10 ISBN-13

0-7864-2335-8
978-0-7864-2335-4

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Book Presentation:
They had more in common than just a scream, whether they faced Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Mummy, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, King Kong, the Wolf Man, or any of the other legendary Hollywood monsters. Some were even monsters themselves, such as Elsa Lanchester as the Bride, and Gloria Holden as Dracula’s Daughter. And while evading the Strangler of the Swamp, former Miss America Rosemary La Planche is allowed to rescue her leading man. This book provides details about the lives and careers of 21 of these cinematic leading ladies, femmes fatales, monsters, and misfits, putting into perspective their contributions to the films and folklore of Hollywood terror—and also the sexual harassment, exploitation, and genuine danger they faced on the job.

Veteran actress Virginia Christine recalls Universal burying her alive in a backlot swamp in full “mummy” makeup for the resurrection scene in The Mummy’s Curse—and how the studio saved that scene for the last day in case she suffocated. Filled with anecdotes and recollections, many of the entries are based on original interviews, and there are numerous old photographs and movie stills.

About the Author:
Gregory William Mank has written and recorded many DVD and Blu-Ray audio commentaries, has won four Rondo Awards, and has written numerous books on classic horror films. He and lives in Delta, Pennsylvania.

Press Reviews:
"recommended"—Booklist; "Mank scripts a charming and poetic series of thumbnail sketches. [He] doubles the reader’s pleasure with a stunning set of publicity photographs and film stills illustrating his labor of unabashed gallant love for these neglected ‘scream queens’"—Choice; "richly detailed…first-rate additions"—Library Journal; "highly entertaining and informative…capsule biographies of the damsels in distress are complete, definitive, immensely readable…fun to read and would make a welcome addition to all film library collections as well as large public libraries"—ARBA; "an important, richly crafted contribution to genre history…superb introduction…offers richly detailed essays and biographies on every actress involved in the Golden Age of Horror…meticulous research…exquisitely written, profusely illustrated…beautiful"—Monsters from the Vault; "instant classics"—Little Shoppe of Horrors; "careers are recalled in full, with extra emphasis paid to their days belting out the screams opposite a gallery of classic monsters. Packed with behind-the-scenes anecdotes…a welcome addition"—Film Review; "exceptional…a superb work by a marvelous writer"—VideoScope; "recommended"—Starlog; "what makes [this volume] so intriguing is the wealth of anecdotal material…a necessary investment for any fan of the horror genre. Mank has accomplished his goal of identifying these women"—Film & History.

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co

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