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Reviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
LIPSTICK & DYNAMITE
In this candid tell-all of the female wrestling circuit of the 1950s and ‘60s, Gladys “Killem”
Gillem, 81 at the time of filming, is just as up-front about who she has slept with as she is on her
claim she never won a match (she wasn’t suppose to). In a deep, cigarette-stained voice, Ella
Waldek admits that during a meet, “What the ref didn’t see was legal.” She also recounts a body
slam she gave to a competitor, which resulted in the death of an 18-year-old up-and-coming star.
All of the women here share a similar working-class background. The Fabulous Moolah rose
from a dollar-a-day cotton picker to become the undefeated champion (the title, however,
belongs to the promoter). Today she’s a successrful promoter and occasionally takes a
turn in the ring. Now in her 80s, the former champion has been reduced to an object of scorn and
ridicule for the crowd, according to her dismayed peers. Moolah’s relationship with her fellow
wrestlers gives this documentary a touch of All About Eve. Waldek was one of her
protégées until there was a falling-out involving Moolah’s husband, promoter Buddy Lee. Waldek
is just one who Moolah feels betrayed her.
The women are too direct and sardonic to be called catty. Much of what they have to say will
confirm doubts one may have regarding the integrity of professional wrestling. This unguarded
documentary also provides a fascinating glimpse of the changing status of women out of the ring.
It includes fascinating excerpts from the quiz shows What’s My Line, with wrestler Judy
Grable, and To Tell the Truth, with The Fabulous Moolah as the mystery guest. And in a very
‘80s moment, there’s a face-off between Moolah and fellow promoter Cyndi Lauper. Kent Turner
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