This book examines radio and mystery drama from about 1932 to the genre's final appearance in the late 1950's. While its focus is on women detectives, French provides minute and fascinating details about dozens of mystery programs and includes a comprehensive listing of source material ranging from magazine articles, to dime detective novels, to film noir. Each lady detective appearing under one of eight cleverly conceived categories gets handsome, multi-page treatment. The author traces the chronological appearance of the subject's show, examines the program's history and origins, and details with substantial documentation the manner of the show's presentation and production. He intersperses the text with actual dialogue taken directly from the program scripts.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Private Eyelashes is the first OTR book to receive the Agatha award in the 17 year history of Malice Domestic. --SPERDVAC's Radiogram
"lots of fun…This is a fascinating study of the lady detectives of radio. This book is both for the fan of old-time radio and for anyone interested in the role of women in crime fiction - whatever the medium. It is written in a pleasing, off-hand manner, but much intense research was needed to produce it. If you're old enough to remember the glory days of radio (or even if you're not), Private Eyelashes is an entertaining and informative guide." --New York Sun
I highly recommend this book to those who are experts in old time radio as a very useful research tool and to those who simply have a delicious time reading about these programs, their fictional characters and the real one who played them. --SPERDVAC's Radiogram
"lots of fun…This is a fascinating study of the lady detectives of radio. This book is both for the fan of old-time radio and for anyone interested in the role of women in crime fiction - whatever the medium. It is written in a pleasing, off-hand manner, but much intense research was needed to produce it. If you're old enough to remember the glory days of radio (or even if you're not), Private Eyelashes is an entertaining and informative guide." --New York Sun
I highly recommend this book to those who are experts in old time radio as a very useful research tool and to those who simply have a delicious time reading about these programs, their fictional characters and the real one who played them. --SPERDVAC's Radiogram
About the Author
Jack French, former Navy cryptology officer and retired FBI Agent, has been researching the Golden Age of Radio for over 20 years. He is a recipient of the Allen Rockford Award, given annually by the Friends of Old Time Radio to the person who has contributed the most to radio research. Jack is a union member of SAG and AFTRA and has acted in several television shows and motion pictures. He and his wife, Cathy, now live in Northern VA. They have six children and six grandchildren.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lady Detectives of Old Radio Provide Great Drama,
By
This review is from: Private Eye-Lashes: Radio's Lady Detectives (Perfect Paperback)
Jack French's startling new book, PRIVATE EYELASHES: Radio's Lady Detectives, provides fresh insight into a little researched, but important corner of old-time radio---lady sleuths with a penchant for adventure, discovery, and danger. These remarkable women significantly enhanced the glory days of radio drama. They were smart and tough with unyielding determination to solve crimes and assist their victims.
Jack French chronicles forty-four unusual female characters with studiously cross-referenced notes about their many counterparts and associates. He intersperses the text with actual dialogue taken directly from the program scripts. This book is a "must read" for detective lovers and fans of old-time radio.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing Radio History,
By
This review is from: Private Eye-Lashes: Radio's Lady Detectives (Perfect Paperback)
First, I am a friend of the author. However, I am also a long-time fan of Old Time Radio - and read his history of female radio detectives with great interest and enjoyment.
Jack puts you almost in front of the radio as you read and I increasingly became engrossed as he lists in detail the specific background and history of each show, I also found the anecdotes and bios - including what happened after they left the show - of some of the actresses involved to be especially interesting. This is a readable history of a brief period of entertainment history that has left its mark on many of us "of a certain age" and presents a fine introduction to those who may not be as familar.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written and fun to read,
By K C (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Private Eye-Lashes: Radio's Lady Detectives (Perfect Paperback)
If you're a fan of old radio shows, this is a must read item. Jack French has a warm, easy to read style that informs and entertains.
If you're not a current fan of old radio shows, might want to troll the internet to check them out. Lots of good things available online from the 1930s, 40s and 50s, including many of the shows mentioned in Private Eyelashes.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
