Lipstick & Dynamite - The First Ladies of Wrestling
If you recognize names like the Great Mae Young, Gladys "Killem" Gillem, and the Fabulous Moolah, then you long ago discovered the simple pleasure of watching women beat the heck out of each other. If not, then letLipstick & Dynamiteintroduce you to some of the saltiest personalities ever to grace the wrestling ring, including the outspoken Ella Waldek, a former farmgirl turned roller derby jammer turned wrestling queen, who declares, "Whatever the referee didn't see was legal." This documentary mixes interviews, photos and film footage of actual bouts, and clips from shows likeTo Tell the Truthand cheesy movies likeRacket Girls. There's some social commentary about the changing roles of women and society, but the real engine of this movie are the girls themselves, holding forth on angels and heels, sleazy producers (like the legendary "promoter of flesh" Billy Wolfe), fixed matches, the loneliness of the road, and much, much more. "Being tough didn't mean a damn thing," comments Gillem, who went on to wrestle lions and alligators after leaving the ring behind. Maybe not, but these tough old ladies are delightful company. Featuring a great soundtrack with songs by Neko Case and others.--Bret Fetzer