What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ballad of Cousin Elvira
Decades before the recent Women’s Wrestling Revolution put women on top of the biggest wrestling cards in the world, there was a time when women were featured in the main event everywhere they fought. The undisputed champion Mildred Burke packed the houses and wrestled two-out-of-three falls almost every night as she guarded her world title. Nipping at her heels for more than a decade was the meanest, toughest, finger biting, ref abusing woman ever to set foot in the ring, Elvira Snodgrass.
A redheaded firebrand from Varnado, Louisiana, Gutherine Fuller adopted a number of ring names before second husband Elmer Snodgrass gave her the surname that made her famous. As women’s wrestling became a true draw in the early 1940s, Elvira Snodgrass catapulted to headline status alongside Burke and the other queens of the ring. She won the fans over with her “aw shucks” demeanor and scufflin’ style before going Hollywood and breaking their hearts as the rule-breaking, liberty taking heel who would do anything to win.
Once lost to history and forgotten because of her early death, the tale of Elvira Snodgrass is a short but rollicking ride through one of the most exciting eras in professional wrestling and the inspirational journey of a fiercely independent woman. From her surprise early title win as Betty Nichols to the tragic car accident that ended her career, you’ve got a ringside seat to rediscover one of the biggest and brashest stars of the 1940s. Just remember to stay in your seat and keep your hands to yourself. This is one lady you do not want to cross!
A redheaded firebrand from Varnado, Louisiana, Gutherine Fuller adopted a number of ring names before second husband Elmer Snodgrass gave her the surname that made her famous. As women’s wrestling became a true draw in the early 1940s, Elvira Snodgrass catapulted to headline status alongside Burke and the other queens of the ring. She won the fans over with her “aw shucks” demeanor and scufflin’ style before going Hollywood and breaking their hearts as the rule-breaking, liberty taking heel who would do anything to win.
Once lost to history and forgotten because of her early death, the tale of Elvira Snodgrass is a short but rollicking ride through one of the most exciting eras in professional wrestling and the inspirational journey of a fiercely independent woman. From her surprise early title win as Betty Nichols to the tragic car accident that ended her career, you’ve got a ringside seat to rediscover one of the biggest and brashest stars of the 1940s. Just remember to stay in your seat and keep your hands to yourself. This is one lady you do not want to cross!
122 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
John Cosper
85 books17 followersJohn Cosper is an award-winning writer from Southern Indiana and the founder of Righteous Insanity. He has written more than 2000 sketches and produced over 100 short films. He is the author of several science fiction novels, short story collections, and even kids stories.
John's film credits include the Fluffy trilogy, the Clive the Zombie puppet films, The Hauss Show, and award-winning short films Out of My Mind, The Telemarketer, Tolerance, and Bots. He's dabbled in noir, horror, and other dark realms, but for the most part he prefers humor and space opera to dystopian societies filled with moody teenagers.
Never one to stay stuck in one genre for long, John also writes about professional wrestling. He is the author of several wrestling histories and biographies, and he writes about wrestling's past and present on his blog www.eatsleepwrestle.com.
John's official website is www.johncosper.com.
John's film credits include the Fluffy trilogy, the Clive the Zombie puppet films, The Hauss Show, and award-winning short films Out of My Mind, The Telemarketer, Tolerance, and Bots. He's dabbled in noir, horror, and other dark realms, but for the most part he prefers humor and space opera to dystopian societies filled with moody teenagers.
Never one to stay stuck in one genre for long, John also writes about professional wrestling. He is the author of several wrestling histories and biographies, and he writes about wrestling's past and present on his blog www.eatsleepwrestle.com.
John's official website is www.johncosper.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 12, 2021
Enjoyed learning about women's pro wrestling, and especially about one who was pals with my father, Wild Bill Zim.
Notes:
---Columbus stories from that era (my home town)
---stories about dad’s pals: Jack Vansky, Stacy Hall, George Woodland, Blimp Levy, Johnny Demchuk, Lord Lansdowne, Lucky Simunovich, Bad Boy Brown, etc, etc.
---in-depth research on Elvira’s aliases and match history (and hair color)
---learning that the Mae Weston gimmick was derived from Mae West.
---Marj Heyduck writings
---ref abuse
Notes:
---Columbus stories from that era (my home town)
---stories about dad’s pals: Jack Vansky, Stacy Hall, George Woodland, Blimp Levy, Johnny Demchuk, Lord Lansdowne, Lucky Simunovich, Bad Boy Brown, etc, etc.
---in-depth research on Elvira’s aliases and match history (and hair color)
---learning that the Mae Weston gimmick was derived from Mae West.
---Marj Heyduck writings
---ref abuse
Displaying 1 of 1 review