Thanks to all the fans that hung in there during the early years with the girls. You stayed true to us, not knowing how hard the girls worked to entertain all of you.

I promised myself to live clean and decent and act like a lady under circumstances much like a gypsy. Most girls were honest, and for the few who were not, the lies about their power and ability to be better than the rest - let me say - no one and i mean no one - could have gotten where they were - without one or more of the rest putting them there. Rest assured without the other lady wrestlers working with them - they could not stand through a three fall match and could not have drawn flies.

The film illustrates that there are many sides to every story. Like the business of wrestling, some people are always entertaining, even when telling 'true' life stories. Believe me when I say that I am a lady - and a lady would never get into bed with a punchy boxer- nutty as a fruitcake, and whose last address was a mental hospital.

I hope everyone enjoys the film. I really enjoyed making it in- and again I thank you.

-Ella

In honoring strong independent women we gladly welcome Ruth Leitman to
the club. You paid youre dues. your heart and soul. You too can sit
back in your rocker one day and say I did something preety special once.
Thats how i feel now, and thank you for this film. The Rock went hollywood.
do you tihink they are ready for Killem Gillem?

Spring has sprung and I wake up everyday, glad to be alive and kicking!

I love to work in my greenhouse everyday, and go fishing all the time. Two years ago I was taken by air ambulance for emergency heart surgery. I knew it wasn't my time and I fought with every bit of strength I could muster. Some may have thought I was down for the count, but anyone who knew me as "Killem Gillem" knows I have never been a quitter.

At 19 I was told of money and adventure on the road. Well, they were right. I travelled the world as a Lady Wrestler, Lion Tamer, and Alligator Wrestler. I got my PHD at the school of hard knocks, and I dont regret it. The scars fade but
not the memories. Raising 3 children on my own was not easy.

My other businesses included a flower shop, produce stand, beer joint, Buzz
Burgers, and Quicky Motel [truckers welcome]. I have enjoyed a crazy life.
Not many people have done and seen what I have. I've heard the roar of the
crowd and people calling my name. That is priceless and can never be
taken away. I have enjoyed life all the way. I'm 85 and still kicking.
The Lord don't want me, I'm too damm mean.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that after all this time Ruth Leitman would give the first ladies of wrestling their rightful place in history. Now our story will live on and not be forgotten. I would not miss the opportunity to be at the premieres for anything. I love meeting and talking to all the wonderful people who have just been introduced to us, and the ones who have been there throughout our careers. I always "tell it like it is" and there is nothing I would like better than to sit and talk to you and tell you some road stories.
"Ya'll come on out and see us."

Love,
Gladys

NEW YORK, NEW YORK! Here we come - The Ladies of "Lipstick & Dynamite"
(retired) Fightin'  Female Lady Wrestlers!!!

I'm Penny Banner, the one  called the " St. Louie Woman."  When I
entered this career, I'd never so much as heard of women wrestlers. I didn't
believe such a sport existed!

I was a governess to three children - just minding my business - when
a call  came  from the president of the National Wrestling Alliance. He had
heard from a friend that I had studied  judo and could do 200 situps . That
interested him, so he asked me if I was interested in becoming a lady
wrestler. I was very hesitant.

Some of my career highlights are:  

* 1964 - Winning the First AWA Womens World Championship

* In 1997 I was awared the Lifetime Achievement award from the CAC

*  2004 - Publishing my  autobiography  "Banner Days," which is dedicated to
all of the women I wrestled from 1954  thru 1977. (It can be purchased on
http://www.bannerdays.com)

* 2005 - Participating in Lipstick and Dynamite is the epitome of my career
and I thank Ruth Leitmann for her vision in taking the time to create it.
This documentary is for all pioneer women wrestlers to be remembered for
their strengths and struggles;

* 2005 - Scheduled for induction into the Professional Wrestlings Hall of
Fame this coming May 22nd in Amsterdam, N.Y. http://www.pwhf.org

Since January, I am recouperating from a total right knee replacement and
training hard for this year's National Senior Olympic games to be held this
June in Pittsburgh, Pa.

I still love competition but my sports today are much easier on my
bones:  swimming, the discus, shotput and hammer throws.

Whatta you mean "blue haired ladies" When people tell me I love your hair color: I ask them "which color do you like the best?: The auburn, the gray the black or the brown or the white? Yes, Sarasota was wonderful and Miami was really great. Daisy was a trip, but a sweetheart. I didn't choke her too hard did I?

I am ecstatic, after all these years of being a survivor no matter what, and growing up in a man's world, I am so thrilled to be in a movie.

It wasn't easy fighting my way to the top and this is the ultimate-- of spending the last segment of my life in a movie. I will yodel until I can't breathe and yodel until I make some folks sick, then I'll take care of them being an RN, MSN , I know CPR. and if they don't like my nursing care I'll kick their butts since I am a Pro Lady Wrestler. How do you like them apples????

In 1996, I was a medalist (2 Silver) in the Maryland Senior Olympics for sprinting. That means if I can't whip your butt, I can outrun you!!! I'll get you one way or the other.

I feel so proud to be in this film that I forgot to say that I was known as "The Female Rocco" of the mat, which was quite flattering simply because I did alot of aerial work, as did Antonio Rocco. The Professional Hall of Fame gave me a Special Induction to "The Best Female Wrestling Yodeler in November of 2003. Memorabilia is in Amsterdam, NY, PHWF

I was elected to the New England Country Music and Historical Society and Hall of Fame in Massachusetts 2003 with my memorabilia. Presented with a Lifetime Membership in "The International Ring 101, Boxing Club" in Maryland. A real honor for me. My thanks to everyone.

I love you all with God's Blessings,
-Ms. Ida, AKA The Yodeling Lady- Dynamite

Hello Ohio....

Just wanted to send you a little reminder that LIPSTICK & DYNAMITE plays next weekend 3/18 & 3/19 at the Cleveland International Film Festival.

Our 6 ladies in the film worked under promoter Billy Wolfe who ran his troupe out of a gym in Columbus Ohio. We know there are still many fans out there in Ohio, so come out and have sneak peak at the film during the festival, before it opens in Ohio later this spring. The film is in competition—so if you like it, give it a high mark!

For ticket info:

http://clevelandfilm.org/films/index.php?films=detail&film_detail_ID=49

Yours,
Ruthless

Hey out there to all you wrestling fans... I just wanted to say... thanks for signing up for the site and keeping up with the ladies all these years! We are less than 3 weeks away from the film opening in NYC and this is what we do in the indie film world- we we tell everyone we know about it so that they can come on out opening weekend -meet the ladies & support the world of indie film- where we are always taking bumps from the big guys- they decide if we stay or go depending if you and everyone you know come and see the film on opening weekend- otherwise, it will come and go so quickly- you won't even know it was there- you'll just hear that you missed the most happening wrestling event this year- that is the reality of my world. I am so excited to get this film out there and have the world know about, Moolah, Mae, Ida, Penny, Gladys & Ella. Thanks to our distributor Koch Lorber Films and you, we should have a great opening weekend.

Please email your friends and tell them to sign up for the site to get updates, if they don't have email, ask them to sign up for the cell phone messages on OPT IT- if they don't have either of them then kick their ass and tell em to get into the 90's.

Thanks for your emails and your entries–the ladies will start blogging any day now- some of them are more computer savvy than the others–but you know all of them are life savvy. Please feel free to write to them here. They are looking forward to hearing from you. www.lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com

Come meet the legendary The Fabulous Moolah, The Great Mae Young, Gladys "Killem" Gillem, Ella Waldek, Ida May Martinez & Penny Banner at the opening of the film in NYC at the Angelika Theater March 25th. Tickets will be available March 21st. http://www.angelikafilmcenter.com. Gladys is looking forward to meeting you, especially if you are a handsome man 60 years old or younger.

Visit us at www.lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com

Keep coming back to the site often to check out opening dates in your area, photos from screenings and festivals, upcoming contests, giveaways and how to join our street team... and now ladies and gentlemen- our merchandise link is up and running. New items will be added weekly. Have a look–order now & wear a shirt with your favorite golden gal to the opening of the film and be the envy of all your friends.

We'll leave you with a question from the oldest living original girl wrestler- 85 years young: "What's your name before I kick your ass?" - Gladys "Killem" Gillem

Yours,
Ruthless