Bettie Page: The Girl in the Leopard Print Bikini

A couple of years ago, I watched The Notorious Bettie Page-a dramatized account of the pin-up queen's life and career with Gretchen Mol providing a nearly compelling portrayal. While I enjoyed it, however, it didn't reveal much about her childhood which is revealed here with many photos of her and her family which includes both parents before their divorce and her sister. There's also many clips of her color and black and white movies that helped her boss, Irving Claw, make plenty of money for his mail-order business. Then after Ms. Page retires, we are shown the effects of the sexual revolution including scenes of many porn movies made during the '70s. How much of what I mentioned in the last sentence has to do with Ms. Page's image as seen by the public by this time is open to speculation though the doc does somewhat make a strong case. I have to admit that perhaps because she's so much a part of the past that I don't consider her as sexy as some others that came after her but her stunning looks can still be fascinating to watch, even today. So on that note, I'm recommending Bettie Page: The Girl in the Leopard Print Bikini.

Bettie Page: The Girl in the Leopard Print Bikini (2004)

*** (out of 4)

This here is a rather low-key documentary on the life and career of Bettie Page. If you're looking for something well-detailed then there are much better films out there but this here at least gives you a good understanding of her career, her rise to fame and what happened after she left the spotlight.

The best thing about this documentary is that you do get clips from several of her films. These clips are still fun to watch in the way they presented sexuality to men who were looking for anything and Page was more than they could have bargained for. There are also some good stories told about what happened to Page after she left the spotlight and how it eventually found her again.

The narration is a tad bit annoying at times and especially when it seems to mock the type of films she appeared in. I'd also say that the film would have benefited from some interviews with the people who knew Page. With that said, those unfamiliar with Page will find a lot of useful information here and it will help them get a better understading of what made her a legend.