alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Honestly, I picked this up because I’ve been a long time fan of the Horror Movie Make-up show at Universal Studios and I was shocked to find out that a woman designed the Creature From the Black Lagoon, which has haunted my nightmares for years. After reading all this, I’m tempted to send a strongly worded letter to someone regarding her lack of mention. She truly was a woman far ahead of her times, and she was a hell of a role model. She worked for both Disney and Universal and was part of some kick-ass teams that designed iconic movie characters in Fantasia and This Island Earth. How could I never have known about her? I’m certainly grateful to the author for bringing Milicent Patrick to the forefront where she belongs, and I hope more people read this story and realize the contributions that have been made all along by women in Hollywood, even if that credit has not been given.
pn_hinton's review
4.0
I've never personally seen the original source material, but I am aware of the importance of the Creature from the Black Lagoon and his place in cinematic history. So, it was very interesting to me to discover that a woman was behind it even if it wasn't completely surprising. Frankenstein is still recognized to be the first sci-fi/horror novel by most, the world would have you believe that horror is strictly a boys club. But it's not. While highlighting one woman's story in particular, this book serves to shine a light on how much of a presence women have had in the genre. Even if one is not a huge movie buff, I would recommend this book.
That said, there are a few drawbacks to the book. While overall the tone of the book was refreshing compared to other biographies or non-fiction books, at time the conversational tone did grate especially when the author allowed the completely understandable bitterness and anger over not just what happened to Milicent but herself spill over into the story. There was a lot of leading into that these specific men were assholes, which is something that even the most unobservant of readers would have known based on the subject matter. A good portion of the chapters also ended in 'cliffhanger' style which is tedious in fiction if it is overdone. In non-fiction it's annoying and unnecessary especially given that we knew going in who the big bad who stole her credit was going to be.
Overall it is a good book as it sheds a light on someone that otherwise may have been forgotten completely by Hollywood history.
That said, there are a few drawbacks to the book. While overall the tone of the book was refreshing compared to other biographies or non-fiction books, at time the conversational tone did grate especially when the author allowed the completely understandable bitterness and anger over not just what happened to Milicent but herself spill over into the story. There was a lot of leading into that these specific men were assholes, which is something that even the most unobservant of readers would have known based on the subject matter. A good portion of the chapters also ended in 'cliffhanger' style which is tedious in fiction if it is overdone. In non-fiction it's annoying and unnecessary especially given that we knew going in who the big bad who stole her credit was going to be.
Overall it is a good book as it sheds a light on someone that otherwise may have been forgotten completely by Hollywood history.
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
This is part biography of Milicent Patrick and part memoir/journey of Mallory O'Meara, the author. Together,they weave a wonderful tale of movie history, feminism and monsters. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey O'Meara took to track down Milicent, what perseverance! This is a page turner, very well written, the author's enthusiasm sucks you in. Highly recommend.
oldtobegin's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
fascinating, funny, and oddly moving, a must read if you're a weirdo who likes monsters, especially if you're femme
torrie_reads's review against another edition
5.0
"Women are the most important part of horror because, by and large, women are the ones the horror happens to."
This was truly everything I hoped it would be and more. Not only do we get to learn about Milicent Patrick and her work on The Creature From the Black Lagoon, but we also get a look into the misogyny in Hollywood that persists to this day. I won't say much more because I think these quotes will do it more justice than I could.
"We need women to be allowed to be simply good at what they do. We need them on set, in meetings, behind cameras and pens and paintbrushes. We need them to be themselves, to be human: ordinary and flawed. That way, more girls can see them and think "I can do that." That way, no one can look at them and say " She got that job because she's beautiful. She got that gig because she slept with someone. Actually, she got hired because she was damn good."
"Even when everyone is being respectful and polite, if you are the only woman in the room it's impossible not to be acutely, uncomfortably aware of it. This feeling only intensifies if you are a marginalized woman."
"Women don't get to be colossal monsters. Women don't get to fuck shit up."
shauna_shaunee_maher's review against another edition
4.0
Where to even begin, this book is just a glimpse into the world of the film industry, the harsh reality of what women working in the industry in the 40's to present day face. Credit where credit is due is thrown out the window! Milicent Patrick is just one of many people that had their marvelous creations claimed by someone else. This book is full of movie history, and I would recommend it to any movie or costume fan out there. Disney even makes an appearance!
As a student studying costume design and makeup, this book hurt my heart to read at times. however I did enjoy it, the author used humor where it was needed and I could really feel how much Mallory wanted to share Milicent's story with the world. The book now sits proudly with my costuming books to remind me that I can be myself unapologetically and to follow my passion just like Milicent.
Thank you @Aaron Lockhart for gifting me this book and for always believing in me and my dreams.
As a student studying costume design and makeup, this book hurt my heart to read at times. however I did enjoy it, the author used humor where it was needed and I could really feel how much Mallory wanted to share Milicent's story with the world. The book now sits proudly with my costuming books to remind me that I can be myself unapologetically and to follow my passion just like Milicent.
Thank you @Aaron Lockhart for gifting me this book and for always believing in me and my dreams.
alceriniel's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
I would have enjoyed this book far more without the author adding in her personal stories and conflating TQIA+ fluff with Feminism. If you are writing a story about someone else, whose entire story revolves around women in film focus on that person and that struggle. I am not here to listen to the author talk about her tattoos or how she thought she dressed as a cat burglar when she went to a Mormon archive.
Also, when a book is about the struggles of women, saying the words "woman-identifying" is a slap in the face to all of the women who actually fought for equality. You don't get to identify out of the material reality of womanhood and what that entails, and you don't get to identify into it either.
Also, when a book is about the struggles of women, saying the words "woman-identifying" is a slap in the face to all of the women who actually fought for equality. You don't get to identify out of the material reality of womanhood and what that entails, and you don't get to identify into it either.