The Betty Lou Gerson Story
Nonfiction
Date Published: January 28, 2023
She voiced one of Disney’s most infamous villainesses. With her husky timbre and most unforgettable cackle, Betty Lou Gerson terrified an entire generation as Disney’s original “Cruella de Vil” in One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961). Betty used her whiskey-soaked voice to give us an innovative portrait of elegant villainy beyond entertainment’s stereotypical “old hag” antagonists in radio, film, and television. She had a prolific radio career in both Chicago and Hollywood before the silver screen and was featured in many popular television series in the 1950s and 1960s such as Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Hazel. Though “Cruella” is perhaps her most recognized role, she also performed in other beloved film classics including Cinderella (1950), Mary Poppins (1964), and Cats Don’t Dance (1997).
The great irony of Betty’s story is that while her voice frightened audiences through nearly all mediums, off mic, she was in fact no villainess at all. Betty traversed through some of the most volatile eras in American history, while overcoming many personal tragedies of her own. She was among twentieth century entertainment pioneers and an iconic voice of feminism.
Did you miss any of the stops on this Tour?
March 27 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Off
March 28 - Book Junkiez - Excerpt
March 29 - Our Town Book Reviews - Excerpt
March 30 - Momma and Her Stories - Excerpt
March 31 - My Reading Addiction - Interview
April 3 - Books Blog - Spotlight
April 4 - The Avid Reader - Interview
April 5 - Momma Says to Read or Not to Read - Spotlight
April 6 - The Indie Express - Review
April 7 - Book Reviews by Virginia Lee - Spotlight
April 10 - Crossroad Reviews - Spotlight
April 11 - Novel News Network - Review
April 12 - Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight
April 13 - Novels Alive - Review
April 14 - I'm Just Another Reader - Spotlight
April 17 - On a Reading Bender - Spotlight
April 18 - Texas Book Nook - Review
April 19 - Matters That Count - Excerpt
April 20 - Indie Author Book Reviews - Spotlight
April 21 - Writers N Authors - Interview
April 24 - Book Corner News and Reviews - Spotlight
April 26 - A Life Through Books - Interview
April 27 - The Faerie Review - Spotlight
April 28 - RABT Reviews - Wrap Up
About the Author
Lona Bailey is a Golden Age of Hollywood researcher and writer of "Uncredited: The Life and Career of Actress Virginia Gregg" and "The Voice of Villainy: The Betty Lou Gerson Story."
As a PhD and former therapist, Lona is passionate about telling the untold #storiesofwomen who perhaps weren’t finished using their own voices during their earthly journeys. Lona is a mother of three with a balanced perspective on the multidimensional elements involved in legacy-maintenance with particular interest in the preservation efforts of the #GoldenAgeofHollywood. Lona’s #biographic works are delicately researched and written with a candid and fair pen and plenty of room for levity.
#OldHollywood holds millions of secrets in its gothic #sensationalism; with its #darksecrets, come just as many shimmering triumphs– and Old Hollywood wouldn’t be as we know it without both.
Contact Link
Purchase Link
No comments:
Post a Comment