Have you ever heard of artist and actress Milicent Patrick? If not, you’re not alone. Part of that has to do with her past of changing her name regularly, but much of it appears to have been sexism in Hollywood. Writer Mallory O’Meara has made it her mission to bring back credit and let everyone know that Milicent Patrick, though not credited, was the one who designed the Creature from the Black Lagoon. She went on a huge press tour for it, until a fellow employee at Universal found a way to crash her career out of jealousy.
The Lady from the Black Lagoon chronicles the life of Milicent Patrick from the beginning, but it also tells O’Meara’s story as well. If you’re looking for a book that is a straight biography, this will not be the book for you. Much of this book is a feminist perspective on modern Hollywood, the past, and what it means to be a woman working in film. Sometimes this is fascinating, but sometimes it distracts from Patrick’s fascinating backstory.
The Lady from the Black Lagoon is available March 5, 2019.
