Dynamic Dames

Starred review from October 15, 2019
Turner Classic Movies expands on its growing library of resourceful film compendiums by, finally, exploring the unmistakable impact that female actors have played in the medium's history. This gift-worthy volume selects famous leading ladies from the 1920s pre-code films, where rebellious behaviors were on display from Clara Bow and Josephine Baker, until the present day, when stronger female leads such as Sigourney Weaver and Gal Gadot are carrying blockbusters and superhero franchises. Film historian De Forest has expertly arranged this volume into genre sections with each chapter presenting the actor, her unforgettable role, an engaging history with lush color and black and white stills, and factoids denoted with a Did You Know? headline. The genres including the aforementioned Pre-Code Bad Girls are also creatively titled: Reel Role Models, Big Bad Mamas, Fatal Femmes, Ladies Who Laugh, Women of Mystery, Strong Survivors, and Superheroines. The film stars' roles are presented chronologically within each section with a foreward by the indefatigable Julie Newmar. The result is a very satisfying and notably diverse group of talented professionals that have created some of the most memorable moments in film.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)