Customer Reviews

Fall Girl: My Life as a Western Stunt Double

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I truly enjoyed reading Fall Girl. While Martha's fascinatingly detailed personal stories and experiences as a stunt woman and double for top stars during the classic era of motion pictures entertain the reader endlessly, it is also Martha's sometimes passionate focus on, and true love of, individual horses she has known and worked with during her career that will probably thrill and satisfy any horse lover reader the most. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an insider's sneak peek into the inner workings of early Hollywood, as well as the stunt world back then in general, and to all horse lovers as well. For where would the classic westerns be without the horses! Martha never forgets them. And neither will we, after reading Fall Girl. Well done! It's hard to read this book and not see the opportunity for a great movie right there!

I immensely enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at the silver screen industry of the 1950s. The fascinating, unusual career of the author is charmingly presented in a series of personal recollections and anecdotes with plenty of name-dropping sure to satisfy fans of classic films. She's obviously a very likable lady and I wish she'd gone a little bit farther in dishing the dirt on some of the notables who weren't so pleasant....like William Wyler, Glenn Ford, Anne Baxter and Yvonne DeCarlo. But she does shine light on the backstage workings of Western movie production and it's always fun to hear tales about great stars like Gregory Peck, Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker and even Deforest Kelley.

It's worth pointing out that the author also includes plenty of captivating photographs from her personal collection, although I wish the captions were in the first person, as is the narrative. It's an editorial decision that winds up distracting the reader from the feeling of a personal relationship with the narrator.

Overall, well worth reading for movie buffs or horse lovers!

The back cover of FALL GIRL says, "fascinating insider's memoir of the American entertainment industry". This is undoubtedly true, but this little gem of a book is really so much more! I would say that this book is about the courage and strength of a woman to make it in a man's world. And, to do so in a gracious, modest and seemingly unassuming manner. Martha simply seems to have done it all, and at a time when most women were fated to fill more traditional roles. This book really has something for everyone...perhaps a book for all ages, and it is rich with details, and wonderful old photographs. Horse lovers, riders, trainers, movie buffs, historians, lovers of old Hollywood, adventure and thrill seekers, or world travelers, I think it is all here, even Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Elvis!! I was captivated by all the tremendous details of the movies Martha worked on, and the complexity of the actual stunts, and the behind the scenes look at the movies, down to the temperament and personalities of so many stars and luminaries that crossed her path. The special, and I would even say, amazing horse stories, really say that she had some sort of magical connection with horses, seemingly within her heart as she says. I think you will particularly love the stories about "Frosty". If you love to be transported to a different time and place you will simply love this book. I think you will, as I did, also come to admire a woman that accomplished so much in her life, fearlessly, and tirelessly. I would further say that Chrystopher Spicer has helped Martha present so clearly and concisely, a wonderful chronicle of a life lived in the spotlight, but yet with dignity, humility, and much grace. As I read Martha's story I could not help but think what a fabulous movie this book would make. How wonderful it would be to have such a positive role model for us all! You will not be disappointed in this book!! Although the title is "FALL GIRL", I could not help but say to myself, you GO GIRL!!

I am so glad Martha Crawford documented this part of our history before it 'got away'.. It is a wonderful story of horses and how movies are really made. In the days before all the computer generated 'stunts' that are in today's movies- it was real horses,real riders and real talent that did the action shots. I doubt that the work seen in the old movies will ever been duplicated. The horses and the people are pretty will gone and will never be seen again.

MaryAlice Nelson

This book is an excellent read!! It covers many facets of the movie making business that very few ever know about.

Very well done and worth the price.

AC

Any horse lover will appreciate the training, patience and personal insights that Martha shares in the Fall Girl. Her experiences in the movies were incredible - and the way she shares her stories makes you want to sit down at her feet and hear more! It is hard to pick my favorite story - but the first chapter pulls you into the book making you want to keep reading. How she was able to sense that the stunt was going wrong, (see the cover of the book) and put herself at risk to save her horse was amazing. When Martha talks about Frosty - and all she accomplished with this puny little colt to make him the star he became - you can feel the love she has for horses and how all the horses she rode felt safe with her and were willing to do anything she asked of them. Anyone who has ever watched and enjoyed an old western movie should read this book to understand the precision and training involved with making the stunts with horses safe and successful - and anyone who loves horses will be inspired by Martha! I gave copies of the Fall Girl for gifts to several horsy friends. It is a book to read and share.