Includes bibliographical references (p. 388), filmography (p. 376-387), and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- Pre-code femme fatales in the early cinema : from liberation to repression -- Film noir's deadly female : subversion and transgression -- The femme fatale is silenced in the U.S. : the rise of the international femme fatale -- The post-feminist explosion : the femme fatale comes into her own.
Summary:
Surveys the history of the femme fatale in world cinema, with more than 300 photographs testifying to the power of these mysterious women. The book begins with the silent period and its vamps, like Theda Bara, Pola Negri, Clara Bow, and Bebe Daniels, then moves on to the Pre-Code sound period of American films, which, showing liberated attitudes toward sex and women, featured actresses like Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich, and Greta Garbo. The story continues with the noir 1940s, when the femme fatale became truly lethal - including actresses like Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, and Barbara Stanwyck. In the repressive 1950s, the international femme fatale took the fore - Brigitte Bardot, Maria Felix, Elizabeth Taylor, Anita Ekberg, etc. Finally, the authors turn to the revolutionary post-feminist modern period, with an array of lethal ladies from all over the world, like Pam Grier, Salma Hayek, Gong Li, Angelina Jolie, and Sharon Stone.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.