Screen Sirens Scream!: Interviews With 20 Actresses from Science Fiction, Horror, Film Noir and Mystery Movies, 1930s to 1960s [Hardcover]

Paul Parla (Author), Charles P. Mitchell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786407018 | ISBN-13: 978-0786407019 | Publication Date: February 15, 2000

These twenty heroines portrayed imperiled women in science fiction, horror, film noir and mystery movies from the 1930s to the 1960s. Some-like Sandy Descher, who confronted the giant ants of Them!-were only girls when they faced their screen perils. Others-such as Mary Murphy, who played opposite Marlon Brando in The Wild One-were leading ladies in other film genres. Yet others-such as June Wilkinson, considered by many as Playboy's greatest model-came from outside the acting world. Each interview is preceded by an introduction. Besides the three above, the interviewees are Ramsay Ames, Claudia Barrett, Jean Byron, Linda Christian, Faith Domergue, Amanda Duff, Evangelina Elizondo, Margaret Field, Mimi Gibson, Marilyn Harris, Kitty de Hoyos, Donna Martel, Joyce Meadows, Noreen Nash, Cynthia Patrick, Paula Raymond and Joan Taylor. Among the films they starred in are The Mummy's Ghost, Robot Monster, Tarzan and the Mermaids, This Island Earth, It Came from Beneath the Sea, Where Danger Lives, The Man from Planet X, The Monster That Challenged the World, Frankenstein, The Brain from Planet Arous, Phantom from Space, The Mole People, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms and Earth Vs. the Flying Saucers. Some interviews were previously published in a different form in fan magazines.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fascinating interviews...valued, insightful, highly recommended" --Midwest Book Review

"Well-researched and always respectful...a fascinating book" --Shock Cinema

"Conveys the essential warmth, pride, and appreciation of these actresses for their work...recommend[ed]" --Monsters from the Vault --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Paul Parla has honed his knack for uncovering and rediscovering film stars since moving to Glendale, California, in 1983. Charles P. Mitchell's study of film has had him lecturing at colleges, advising libraries, speaking on radio programs, and writing weekly columns. He lives in Millinocket, Maine. Both authors have been published in Filmfax, Classic Images and other journals.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786407018
• ISBN-13: 978-0786407019
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,972,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valued, insightful, highly recommended for film buffs., April 6, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Screen Sirens Scream!: Interviews With 20 Actresses from Science Fiction, Horror, Film Noir and Mystery Movies, 1930s to 1960s (Hardcover)

Screen Sirens Scream! showcases fascinating interviews with twenty actresses from science fiction, horror, film noir, and mystery films of the 1930s through the 1960s. Each interview is preceded by an informative introduction. The actresses range from Sandy Descher and Mary Murphy to Paula Raymond and Joan Taylor. The films span the cinematic spectrum from The Mummy's ghost, Tarzan and the Mermaids, and This Island Earth, to Frankenstein, Phantom from Space, and Earth vs. the Flying Saucers. Some of these interviews were gleaned from fan magazines, others are original with this volume. Screen Sirens Scream! is a valued, insightful, highly recommended addition to film buff and cinema student move reference book collections.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful and entertaining, March 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Screen Sirens Scream!: Interviews With 20 Actresses from Science Fiction, Horror, Film Noir and Mystery Movies, 1930s to 1960s (Hardcover)

This is a colorful and entertaining collection of interview articles with a varied group of interesting female performers, including Faith Domergue, Linda Christian (Tyrone Power's wife), Joan Taylor and Mary Harris, the little girl who appeared in the original FRANKENSTEIN. A REFRESHING AND DELIGHTFUL TREAUSRY THAT YOU WILl READ AND REREAD OFTEN.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, September 3, 2009

By 

William G. Howes "Readin' Fool" (Seal Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Screen Sirens Scream!: Interviews With 20 Actresses from Science Fiction, Horror, Film Noir and Mystery Movies, 1930s to 1960s (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed reading this book. The women were very candid about their careers and their post acting lives. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in film or biographies.