Lipstick & Dynamite, Piss & Vinegar: The First Ladies of Wrestling
2004, NR, 74 min.
Directed by Ruth Leitman.

The documentary traces the history of women’s wrestling back to 1939 and Gladys (Killem) Gillem’s circus act. It continues more anecdotally with reminiscences from the sport’s colorful pioneers, now in their 70s and 80s, and ends with footage taken at a national reunion. Along the way we hear from the Fabulous Moolah (Lillian Ellison), Johnnie Mae Young, Diamond Lil, Ella Waldek, and Penny Banner about their rough-and-tumble lives and times.

This article appears in May 20 • 2005.

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