Private Eye-Lashes: Radio's Lady Detectives (Perfect Paperback)

~ Jack French (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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

Private Eyelashes is the first OTR book to receive the Agatha award in the 17 year history of Malice Domestic. --SPERDVAC's Radiogram

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: BearManor Media (March 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971457085
• ISBN-13: 978-0971457089
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,702,488 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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, January 27, 2005

By	Dennis W. Crow (Gresham, Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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, January 16, 2005

By	R. B. Wade (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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 Two For One, June 26, 2008

By	Norman G. Cox "OTR Research Specialist" (SF East Bay) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A fun read plus a great reference book that is perfectly at home, stacked alongside my Dunning, Buxton and Harmons.