Lipstick & Dynamite 2006-09-18T04:15:04Z tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2008:/lipstick//52 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2006, conniediletti L&D Available via Netflix 2006-09-18T04:15:04Z 2006-08-17T23:12:29-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2006:/lipstick//52.11305 2006-08-18T04:12:29Z Hey L&D Fans! Lipstick & Dynamite is available to rent via Netflix, not to mention through some local libraries!! Hope you're having a great summer! Connie... conniediletti connie@conniediletti.com Events and Festivals Hey L&D Fans!

Lipstick & Dynamite is available to rent via Netflix, not to mention through some local
libraries!!

Hope you're having a great summer!
Connie

]]> Gladys could sure use some cheering up... 2006-09-18T04:06:57Z 2005-07-11T16:29:30-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.4971 2005-07-11T21:29:30Z Hello Everyone... We just got a message from Claire, Gladys' daughter.... "Gladys took a bad fall last week.� We thought she had broken her hip but it was her leg.� She has been in a great deal of pain.� They... conniediletti connie@conniediletti.com News from the Ladies Hello Everyone...

We just got a message from Claire, Gladys' daughter....

"Gladys took a bad fall last week.� We thought she had broken her hip but it was her leg.� She has been in a great deal of pain.� They did put in a rod and she can not put any pressure on it for at least six weeks.� We all know Gladys does not like to sit still.� She has never been a quitter, we expect her to be racing around with her walker before Labor Day.

If you can, please take the time to give her a call or send a little note.�
You may also post a comment and we'll make sure that she gets it."

Tandem Health Care of Pensacola
235 West Airport Blvd.
Room 405D - Gladys Wall
Pensacola, Fl. 32505
850-857-5309

Thank you in advance for your support!

-MCD

]]> Georgia on my mind... 2005-10-10T21:15:50Z 2005-05-12T10:43:34-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3788 2005-05-12T15:43:34Z G~E~O~R~G~I~A~ ~ ~ yes, Atlanta, you are on my mind..! Won't be long now til May 13th when " Lipstick n Dynamite" our Movie opens there..Ella and I are looking forward to meeting you. Back in the mid 50s I... pennybanner Events and Festivals G~E~O~R~G~I~A~ ~ ~ yes, Atlanta, you are on my mind..!
Won't be long now til May 13th when " Lipstick n Dynamite" our Movie opens there..Ella and I are looking forward to meeting you.

Back in the mid 50s I wrestled for the promoter " Paul ". In the and early 60', it was Ray Gunkel. I have 'fun' memories of water skiing on some beautiful lake there too...in 1978, I gave my horse to a family there in Athens for their young boy to use for 4-H shows.

NOW......I am looking forward to seeing any of you fans from those days of ' Good Ole Wrestling'. I know you will enjoy the Lipstick n Dynamite Movie..It touches on the reasons us 6 girls became lady wrestlers in the days when it was truly considered only a 'man's sport'..Yes, I guess we were feminist....and just didn't know it. We each loved our profession and all of you fans.....so, come out for the movie ..then the Q & A session afterwards..and bring your camera for some 'photos' with us "Living Legends" of Lady Wrestling.

-Penny Banner

]]> They don't call me Fabulous for nothing... 2005-10-10T21:15:56Z 2005-04-08T15:08:37-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3436 2005-04-08T20:08:37Z My my...it is so great to be here in sunny Los Angeles, California! Being here brings back so many memories. The Great Mae Young & I got here last Friday for Wrestlemania, and have been enjoying ourselves in this weather... fabmoolah Events and Festivals My my...it is so great to be here in sunny Los Angeles, California! Being here brings back so many memories. The Great Mae Young & I got here last Friday for Wrestlemania, and have been enjoying ourselves in this weather every since.

We're so happy to be here, supoporting the movie, and speaking with our fans, and fans of the movie. There's so much hard work that went into making this movie, so y'all reading this better come out and see it!

What I think "Lipstick & Dynamite" does, is let people know that wrestling isn't about just being in the limelight - you have to give your heart and soul to the sport if you want to be known for being a good athlete & performer.

The only thing I ever tried to do was to help other girl wrestlers out - I started my own school and began promoting because I didn't like how Billy Wolfe was handling things. In my school I taught more than wrestling, I also taught life skills, skills that I still use today.

This film illustrates what life is about - joy, pain, dissappointment and triumph. If I hadn't of been beat in the ring, early in my career, I wouldn't have gained the skills and perserverence to have beaten others in the squared circle.

Thank you for coming out and supporting this film. Y'all better write back on this blog, and let me know what you think Darlin'!

- The Fabulous Moolah

]]> From Sand Springs, OK, to Los Angeles... 2005-10-10T21:15:56Z 2005-04-08T14:44:16-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3435 2005-04-08T19:44:16Z It's great to be back in LA, my old stomping ground, and where I won the US Championship belt at the Olympic Auditorium! I'm looking forward to the film opening in Los Angeles, and am glad that Moolah & I... maeyoung It's great to be back in LA, my old stomping ground, and where I won the US Championship belt at the Olympic Auditorium! I'm looking forward to the film opening in Los Angeles, and am glad that Moolah & I could be here to support the film, and say hello to our fans.

This movie is great, and I think it does something for 'girl wrestling'; people get to see what the girls had to go through. In fact, it was the Girl Wrestlers that opened up the state of California to the sport!

I'm happy to be here with old friends, The Fabulous Moolah, Ida May Martinez, and Gladys "Killem" Gillem (a little known fact is that I stole her boyfriend when she first moved to Hollywood - but no one could take the bumps and bruises like her!)

Thank you for this film, I know how hard everyone worked on it. It's great to be back here!

-The Great Mae Young

]]> Thank you... 2005-10-10T21:15:54Z 2005-03-21T13:00:27-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3272 2005-03-21T18:00:27Z 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... ellawaldek News from the Ladies 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

]]> Thank you Ruth... 2005-10-10T21:15:53Z 2005-03-21T09:43:59-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3266 2005-03-21T14:43:59Z 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... gladysgillem 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?

]]> I tell it like it is... 2005-10-10T21:15:53Z 2005-03-20T09:19:35-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3263 2005-03-20T14:19:35Z 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... gladysgillem 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! 2005-10-10T21:15:53Z 2005-03-18T13:34:29-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3250 2005-03-18T18:34:29Z 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... pennybanner News from the Ladies 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.

]]> From the desk of Ms. Ida... 2005-10-10T21:15:53Z 2005-03-17T12:12:57-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3236 2005-03-17T17:12:57Z 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... idamartinez News from the Ladies 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... 2005-10-10T21:15:53Z 2005-03-10T22:12:01-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3174 2005-03-11T03:12:01Z 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... ruthleitman http://www.lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com Events and Festivals 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

]]> Ida grabs Ruth in a headlock at the Miami Film Festival 2005-10-10T21:15:51Z 2005-03-07T23:48:10-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3069 2005-03-08T04:48:10Z ruthleitman http://www.lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com Events and Festivals ida_ruth_headlock.jpg

]]> The world of indie film grabs the wrestling world in a full nelson 2005-10-10T21:15:51Z 2005-03-07T16:41:23-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.3064 2005-03-07T21:41:23Z 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... ruthleitman http://www.lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com Thoughts from Ruth 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

]]> DV vs. Film debate 2005-10-10T21:15:49Z 2005-02-11T11:11:17-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.2795 2005-02-11T16:11:17Z I teach filmmaking at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago - where we always have the film vs DV discourse, especially in documentary. I use both, but I am a film lover. One thing that I am struck... ruthleitman http://www.lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com Thoughts from Ruth I teach filmmaking at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago - where we always have the film vs DV discourse, especially in documentary. I use both, but I am a film lover.

One thing that I am struck with is that my film used to weigh one ounce on DV... now the 35mm film print weighs in at 47 lbs! Ready for the big screen release by Koch Lorber Films in NYC on March 25th at the Angelika. An amazing job of digital-to-film by Cinema Concepts in Atlanta, GA.

]]> Sarasota Film Festival 2005-10-10T21:15:48Z 2005-02-09T17:13:51-05:00 tag:blogs.indiewire.com,2005:/lipstick//52.2785 2005-02-09T22:13:51Z Just back from the Sarasota Film festival-where wrestlers Ella Waldek and Ida May Martinez came to receive their fans. In a place where 40 is young, the girls (now in their 70's and 80's) were in their element. ruthleitman http://www.lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com Events and Festivals Just back from the Sarasota Film festival with Lipstick & Dynamite - where wrestlers Ella Waldek and Ida May Martinez came to receive their fans. In a place where 40 is young, the girls (now in their 70's and 80's) were in their element. They even offered to throw actor Dennis Farina (Law and Order) and legendary singer Lainie Kazan in a headlock on the red carpet.

Ella Waldek's daughter Jackie came and saw the film for the first time- she remembers only too well, as a child watching her mother from the stands getting the pulp beaten out of her. Also in attendance were original golden gal wrestler Bonnie (Watson) Schwartz and her husband referee Stu Schwartz.

But one of the best things that comes from these festival screenings, is overhearing blue-haired ladies saying, "I never knew that a story about girl wrestling could be so touching" - Then one turns to the gruff Ella Waldek remembering, " I used to watch you on TV on Dayton Ohio every week... I never knew what happened to you all these years." Which brought tears to Miss Waldek's eyes.

Pictured here: Ella, Bonnie, Ida May on the Sarasota red carpet

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