Vixens, Floozies and Molls: 28 Actresses of Late 1920s and 1930s Hollywood - Softcover

Wollstein, Hans J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786422602 ISBN 13: 9780786422609

Publisher: McFarland, 2005

Synopsis

The floozy, the gangster's moll, the nasty debutante: Most Hollywood actresses played at least one of these bad girls in the 1930s. Since censorship customarily demanded that goodness prevail, vixens were in mainly supporting roles--but the actresses who played them were often colorful scene stealers. These characters and the women who played them first began to appear in film in 1915 when Theda Bara played home-wrecker Elsie Drummond in The Vixen. Movie theaters filled and the industry focused on heaving bosoms and ceaseless lust. Bara never shed the vamp image. The type evolved into the flapper, the gangster's moll, the "dame," and the "bad girl." This work covers the lives and careers of 28 actresses, providing details about their lives and giving complete filmographies of their careers.

About this title

About the Author:

Hans J. Wollstein has appeared as an actor on screen and in television in Denmark, Germany and the United States. Retired from performing, he now lives in his native Copenhagen.

Review:

"lively descriptions"--Choice; "provides career essays on a group of actresses who were responsible for some unique characterizations"--Classic Images; "a fascinating survey of 28 actresses of the late 1920s and 1930s Hollywood...essential"--Midwest Book Review; "contains well-researched quotations...entertaining and informative...highly recommended"--Colorado Libraries; "well researched...plenty of information about the careers and private lives of the actresses"--Film Review; "provides key biographical information on these floozies...a pleasant read"--Film & History.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0786422602
• ISBN 13: 9780786422609
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 284