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Girls on Film: Lessons from a Life of Watching Women in Movies
With humor and honesty, Girls on Film looks at the good, the bad, and the unfairly written women in film. A celebration of the power of cinema and the hidden messages within media and culture, this collection of personal essays explores the women who inspired and confused a young film enthusiast.
A movie freak with a feminist message. In the tradition of feminist authors, film reporter Alicia Malone brings a collection of personal essays looking at the representation and impact of women on film. In addition to personal anecdotes and analysis, Girls on Film weaves in interviews from a diverse group of well-known women working in cinema today.
For fans of Trick Mirror and film books. A blend of women’s history books and film reviews, each chapter of Girls on Film looks at a female character representative of a stereotype or trope. As she explores hidden histories, Alicia connects these tropes to her very own journey in film.
In this authentic approach to film theory, you’ll find essays on:
The dumb blonde
The Cinderella transformation
The femme fatale
A follow-up to Backwards and in Heels and The Female Gaze, Girls on Film is the final book in Alicia’s women in cinema trilogy. If you enjoy feminism books, movie books, or cinema books—like Trick Mirror, You Play the Girl, Where the Girls Are, and Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!—then you’ll love Girls on Film.
A movie freak with a feminist message. In the tradition of feminist authors, film reporter Alicia Malone brings a collection of personal essays looking at the representation and impact of women on film. In addition to personal anecdotes and analysis, Girls on Film weaves in interviews from a diverse group of well-known women working in cinema today.
For fans of Trick Mirror and film books. A blend of women’s history books and film reviews, each chapter of Girls on Film looks at a female character representative of a stereotype or trope. As she explores hidden histories, Alicia connects these tropes to her very own journey in film.
In this authentic approach to film theory, you’ll find essays on:
The dumb blonde
The Cinderella transformation
The femme fatale
A follow-up to Backwards and in Heels and The Female Gaze, Girls on Film is the final book in Alicia’s women in cinema trilogy. If you enjoy feminism books, movie books, or cinema books—like Trick Mirror, You Play the Girl, Where the Girls Are, and Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!—then you’ll love Girls on Film.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2022
20 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Malone
13 books99 followersAlicia Malone is a film reporter, host, writer and self-confessed movie geek. She first gained notice hosting movie-centric shows and reviewing films in her native Australia, before making the leap to Los Angeles in 2011.
Since then, Alicia has appeared on CNN, the Today show, MSNBC, NPR and many more as a film expert. Currently, she is a host on FilmStruck, a cinephile subscription streaming service run by the Criterion Collection and Turner Classic Movies, and she is the creator and host of the weekly show, Indie Movie Guide on Fandango.
Alicia is passionate about classic films, independent movies and supporting women in film. In 2015, Alicia gave a TEDx talk about the lack of women working in film and why this is important to change. In 2017, she was invited to give a second TEDx talk, where she spoke about the hidden stories of the earliest women working in Hollywood. Alicia has also spoken at conferences around America, and because of this, was named of one the 100 Worthy Women of 2016.
Alicia has traveled the world to cover the BAFTAs, the Oscars, the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival and SXSW. She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and over the years has interviewed hundreds of movie stars and filmmakers.
She also wrote this bio, but knew it would sound way less egotistical if written in third person.
Since then, Alicia has appeared on CNN, the Today show, MSNBC, NPR and many more as a film expert. Currently, she is a host on FilmStruck, a cinephile subscription streaming service run by the Criterion Collection and Turner Classic Movies, and she is the creator and host of the weekly show, Indie Movie Guide on Fandango.
Alicia is passionate about classic films, independent movies and supporting women in film. In 2015, Alicia gave a TEDx talk about the lack of women working in film and why this is important to change. In 2017, she was invited to give a second TEDx talk, where she spoke about the hidden stories of the earliest women working in Hollywood. Alicia has also spoken at conferences around America, and because of this, was named of one the 100 Worthy Women of 2016.
Alicia has traveled the world to cover the BAFTAs, the Oscars, the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival and SXSW. She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and over the years has interviewed hundreds of movie stars and filmmakers.
She also wrote this bio, but knew it would sound way less egotistical if written in third person.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 16, 2022
★★★★★ 5 stars!
I don't care which subject or topic that is, just listening to someone who is incredibly passionate and good about what they do is always a joy to experience for me. In this case, it's Alicia Malone and her love for movies.
Alicia Malone has always been passionate about films. In Girls on Film: The Complete History of the Women Who Broke Barriers and Redefined Roles, she tells her story of how the representation of women on-screen and behind-the-scenes inspired, influenced and impacted her life.
In the beginning of the book she asked these questions:
As I go through the audiobook, I find that I gain answers of my own. I too love watching and re-watching old films, but not for the same reason as Ms. Malone. I just happen to like my details.
I like knowing that there were paper cones before paper cups and continuous cloth hand towel dispensers before interfolded single-use paper towels as seen on 12 Angry Men (1957). I love that Jaws (1975) theme is just two notes (more accurately—three notes) and you already know that danger is ahead. Or that James Bond was played by seven different actors who all sounds the same (and I watched all of them). I love that Fiddler on the Roof (1971) is giving Hollywood a hard time for a remake because of the fact that more people simply don't want a remake of it. Dear Hollywood, #PleaseStopRemakingClassics. And the fact that Salt of the Earth (1954) was shunned by Hollywood at the time of its release yet is now a revered material for feminism lectures and courses.
This book is equally fascinating, eye-opening and inspiring. It gives me such joy to learn about these information from Ms. Malone's exhaustive knowledge of films, from behind the scene facts down to the media gossips, she got it covered. I learned a great deal about the movie industry and their issues, the origin of many film tropes and women representation in film. Many women pushed the boundaries of the male-dominated film industry and shaped the business as we see it today. I must say that I found a new appreciation for classic films.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this audiobook. I enjoyed it greatly.
"Find your niche and be an expert on it."
🎧: Brigid Lohrey
"Perhaps, when it comes down to it, the point of watching movies is not to find answers at all but to continue asking new questions, to prod us towards discussions, to process our past, and keep evolving into the future."
I don't care which subject or topic that is, just listening to someone who is incredibly passionate and good about what they do is always a joy to experience for me. In this case, it's Alicia Malone and her love for movies.
Alicia Malone has always been passionate about films. In Girls on Film: The Complete History of the Women Who Broke Barriers and Redefined Roles, she tells her story of how the representation of women on-screen and behind-the-scenes inspired, influenced and impacted her life.
In the beginning of the book she asked these questions:
Why I chose to see movies in the first place? What am I really looking for when I go to the cinema or pick a film to watch at home? Am I trying to learn about the world or myself? Why do I choose to escape my own life and experience pleasure or pain through fictional characters? How have the hundreds of hours of watching women in movies affected the way I see myself?
As I go through the audiobook, I find that I gain answers of my own. I too love watching and re-watching old films, but not for the same reason as Ms. Malone. I just happen to like my details.
I like knowing that there were paper cones before paper cups and continuous cloth hand towel dispensers before interfolded single-use paper towels as seen on 12 Angry Men (1957). I love that Jaws (1975) theme is just two notes (more accurately—three notes) and you already know that danger is ahead. Or that James Bond was played by seven different actors who all sounds the same (and I watched all of them). I love that Fiddler on the Roof (1971) is giving Hollywood a hard time for a remake because of the fact that more people simply don't want a remake of it. Dear Hollywood, #PleaseStopRemakingClassics. And the fact that Salt of the Earth (1954) was shunned by Hollywood at the time of its release yet is now a revered material for feminism lectures and courses.
This book is equally fascinating, eye-opening and inspiring. It gives me such joy to learn about these information from Ms. Malone's exhaustive knowledge of films, from behind the scene facts down to the media gossips, she got it covered. I learned a great deal about the movie industry and their issues, the origin of many film tropes and women representation in film. Many women pushed the boundaries of the male-dominated film industry and shaped the business as we see it today. I must say that I found a new appreciation for classic films.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this audiobook. I enjoyed it greatly.
"Find your niche and be an expert on it."
🎧: Brigid Lohrey
October 18, 2022
It was so interesting to read about how Alicia Malone came to be a TCM host. And as someone whose childhood memories mainly involve wandering around video rental stores (and who understands most of her life through film), I related! There’s a great essay about Smooth Talk.
March 28, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC of this audiobook.
Growing up, Alicia Malone discovered the joy of classic cinema, and for many years, that’s how she related to the world. As I listened to her talk about her childhood, I realized she could have been recounting my own. At eight years old, I discovered American Movie Classics. Way before the likes of The Walking Dead, Nick Clooney and Bob Dorian would introduce films from Classic Hollywood. I was obsessed. Apparently, so was Malone.
Part nonfiction, historical film book, part memoir, Malone takes us through her childhood and adult years with dreams of cinematic hosting, jobs in the industry, and how COVID changed her career and life. I loved every minute. Though I don’t spend as much time as I’d like with the black and white movies these days, I’m still nostalgic for those days when 10-year old me would spend all weekend binge watching noirs, dramas, and romances.
Like Malone, my world-view has changed. It’s gotten bigger, and I can see the many flaws in these films I once loved. Plagued with racism, sexism, and queer issues, they are a product of their time. That doesn’t excuse them, but it does spark discussions of how far we’ve come and what we might learn from the moments in between, howe filmmakers skirted certain things and managed to say some important things even when censored by the dreaded Hayes Code.
I’ll always love movies, and I loved this book. It’s out on Tuesday, so if you’re a movie buff, check it out wherever you get your books.
Growing up, Alicia Malone discovered the joy of classic cinema, and for many years, that’s how she related to the world. As I listened to her talk about her childhood, I realized she could have been recounting my own. At eight years old, I discovered American Movie Classics. Way before the likes of The Walking Dead, Nick Clooney and Bob Dorian would introduce films from Classic Hollywood. I was obsessed. Apparently, so was Malone.
Part nonfiction, historical film book, part memoir, Malone takes us through her childhood and adult years with dreams of cinematic hosting, jobs in the industry, and how COVID changed her career and life. I loved every minute. Though I don’t spend as much time as I’d like with the black and white movies these days, I’m still nostalgic for those days when 10-year old me would spend all weekend binge watching noirs, dramas, and romances.
Like Malone, my world-view has changed. It’s gotten bigger, and I can see the many flaws in these films I once loved. Plagued with racism, sexism, and queer issues, they are a product of their time. That doesn’t excuse them, but it does spark discussions of how far we’ve come and what we might learn from the moments in between, howe filmmakers skirted certain things and managed to say some important things even when censored by the dreaded Hayes Code.
I’ll always love movies, and I loved this book. It’s out on Tuesday, so if you’re a movie buff, check it out wherever you get your books.
May 3, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️.💫/5 (2.5 stars)
Narration: the narrator was okay, sometimes I struggled to stay interested as the voice was monotone at times.
This is a non fiction book that follows our author, going through her life and the woman in movies that helped shaped it.
It’s feminist and talks a lot about various female characters and their actresses in movies, with the evolution of woman in film.
I’m such a movie lover so I really enjoyed reading about the movies, as well as hearing the behind the scenes history of some of them. I found that very interesting.
Reason for 2.5 stars…While some things are interesting, a lot of it is about the authors personal life, and while I enjoyed the film connections to her growing up, I don’t really know who she is so I found I didn’t exactly care too much. I found the movie part interesting and wish it had a bit more of that
It was an okay read, I listened on faster speed towards the end to just get through it. Also the narrator made it hard to keep interested at times, so it might be a better book in a non audiobook format.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️.💫/5 (2.5 stars)
Narration: the narrator was okay, sometimes I struggled to stay interested as the voice was monotone at times.
This is a non fiction book that follows our author, going through her life and the woman in movies that helped shaped it.
It’s feminist and talks a lot about various female characters and their actresses in movies, with the evolution of woman in film.
I’m such a movie lover so I really enjoyed reading about the movies, as well as hearing the behind the scenes history of some of them. I found that very interesting.
Reason for 2.5 stars…While some things are interesting, a lot of it is about the authors personal life, and while I enjoyed the film connections to her growing up, I don’t really know who she is so I found I didn’t exactly care too much. I found the movie part interesting and wish it had a bit more of that
It was an okay read, I listened on faster speed towards the end to just get through it. Also the narrator made it hard to keep interested at times, so it might be a better book in a non audiobook format.
April 4, 2022
Just off the bat, this is not the book that Goodreads has it listed as. The author's foreword is very clear that this is a look at the women in film who affected the author's life in some way, NOT a "complete history of the women who broke barriers". I think that wrong title is giving the book some bad reviews because people are going in with wrong expectations.
That said, this autobiographical look at the author's life through the films that changed her is a really enjoyable read. I could completely relate to chapters like the one about Drew Barrymore. While the author has made very different life choices than me, I felt a kindred spirit in her love for films. The stories are interesting and provide lots of behind the scenes and historical information about some of the most famous women in film. The coda chapter about how Covid changed the author's relationship with work and films was an excellent little add-on.
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this story. The narrator was very lively and I frequently forgot that it was not actually the author telling the story herself.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
That said, this autobiographical look at the author's life through the films that changed her is a really enjoyable read. I could completely relate to chapters like the one about Drew Barrymore. While the author has made very different life choices than me, I felt a kindred spirit in her love for films. The stories are interesting and provide lots of behind the scenes and historical information about some of the most famous women in film. The coda chapter about how Covid changed the author's relationship with work and films was an excellent little add-on.
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this story. The narrator was very lively and I frequently forgot that it was not actually the author telling the story herself.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
November 28, 2022
A terrific diving board from which to dive into thoughts about my relationship with movies.
March 23, 2022
Girls on Film by Turner Classic Movies host Alicia Malone walks a fine line between a film criticism book and a memoir, blending Malone’s thoughts on classic films seamlessly into scenes from her own life. She is critical of the flaws of older films in light of modern understanding of the treatment of women and acknowledges that even on this topic, she speaks from a position of white privilege. What’s more, she is able to do all of this without losing sight of her love of these films and how they shaped her life from early childhood to her career as a film host.
I heard echoes of myself in a lot of Malone’s struggles and joys, though she is 13 years my senior and has chosen a very different career path from my own. She speaks plainly about the expectations for women in society, and the feelings and treatment that come along with rejecting those expectations through film, history, and her own personal anecdotes. The book ends with reflection on how COVID has affected the movie industry and movie theaters in general—and Malone’s decision to try to save and run an independent cinema near her new home in a time when such institutions are struggling worldwide.
As someone who also visits theaters in foreign countries, has a favorite seat in my local indie, and ran to the movies as soon as theaters reopened last year, I found myself thinking of how much I share with Alicia, beyond our first names. I hope I get to visit her cinema some day.
Overall, this book felt made for me, in particular. My one regret was that it is not read by the author, but narrator Brigid Lohrey does an excellent job in her stead.
I would highly recommend to any other girls who would rather be sequestered into a cinema than anywhere else, and to film lovers more generally. I would also recommend it to people interested in a feminist critique of modern media. Overall, an excellent read, and one of my favorite nonfiction choices of the year so far.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for granting me an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
I heard echoes of myself in a lot of Malone’s struggles and joys, though she is 13 years my senior and has chosen a very different career path from my own. She speaks plainly about the expectations for women in society, and the feelings and treatment that come along with rejecting those expectations through film, history, and her own personal anecdotes. The book ends with reflection on how COVID has affected the movie industry and movie theaters in general—and Malone’s decision to try to save and run an independent cinema near her new home in a time when such institutions are struggling worldwide.
As someone who also visits theaters in foreign countries, has a favorite seat in my local indie, and ran to the movies as soon as theaters reopened last year, I found myself thinking of how much I share with Alicia, beyond our first names. I hope I get to visit her cinema some day.
Overall, this book felt made for me, in particular. My one regret was that it is not read by the author, but narrator Brigid Lohrey does an excellent job in her stead.
I would highly recommend to any other girls who would rather be sequestered into a cinema than anywhere else, and to film lovers more generally. I would also recommend it to people interested in a feminist critique of modern media. Overall, an excellent read, and one of my favorite nonfiction choices of the year so far.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for granting me an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
June 6, 2022
Alicia Malone is the reason I got into film! Her YouTube videos and writing were so inspiring to me in my early 20s, particularly her focus on the underrepresentation of women in this industry. In her third book, she once again approaches film history with a keenly balanced gaze, offering both appreciation and criticism where they're needed. And for someone so private, this book offers a bit more of a glimpse into her personal life than we normally get too. You'll always be the coolest, Alicia!
August 1, 2022
Girls on Film is touching, relatable and ultimately grounded by a deep understanding of film history. A must read for any TCM fan.
My full review:
https://www.outofthepastblog.com/2022...
My full review:
https://www.outofthepastblog.com/2022...
March 25, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.
Synopsis
With humor and honesty, Girls on Film looks at the good, the bad, and the unfairly written women in film. A celebration of the power of cinema and the hidden messages within media and culture, this collection of personal essays explores the women who inspired and confused a young film enthusiast.
A movie freak with a feminist message. In the tradition of feminist authors, film reporter Alicia Malone brings a collection of personal essays looking at the representation and impact of women on film. In addition to personal anecdotes and analysis, Girls on Film weaves in interviews from a diverse group of well-known women working in cinema today.
For fans of Trick Mirror and film books. A blend of women’s history books and film reviews, each chapter of Girls on Film looks at a female character representative of a stereotype or trope. As she explores hidden histories, Alicia connects these tropes to her very own journey in film.
In this authentic approach to film theory, you’ll find essays on:
The dumb blonde
The Cinderella transformation
The femme fatale
A follow-up to Backwards and in Heels and The Female Gaze, Girls on Film is the final book in Alicia’s women in cinema trilogy. If you enjoy feminism books, movie books, or cinema books—like Trick Mirror, You Play the Girl, Where the Girls Are, and Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!—then you’ll love Girls on Film.
This was a really interesting read/listen. Alicia malone has a practically encyclopaedic knowledge on film, and in particular girls and woman in film. I went in without realising properly that this was the third and final in a series, a series that I’ll be sure to pick up now, having said that it makes no real difference, I didn’t feel like I had missed any points having not read the other two, it worked perfectly well as a stand alone. I love film and Alicia’s insight was quite remarkable. The takes on all the typical female tropes were brilliantly insightful. The changes that woman have made in this male dominated industry inspiring, as is Alicia herself. I’d love to one day visit the cinema she’s fought so hard to save. The writing is excellent. The narration slightly so (for me personally) but great all round.
Synopsis
With humor and honesty, Girls on Film looks at the good, the bad, and the unfairly written women in film. A celebration of the power of cinema and the hidden messages within media and culture, this collection of personal essays explores the women who inspired and confused a young film enthusiast.
A movie freak with a feminist message. In the tradition of feminist authors, film reporter Alicia Malone brings a collection of personal essays looking at the representation and impact of women on film. In addition to personal anecdotes and analysis, Girls on Film weaves in interviews from a diverse group of well-known women working in cinema today.
For fans of Trick Mirror and film books. A blend of women’s history books and film reviews, each chapter of Girls on Film looks at a female character representative of a stereotype or trope. As she explores hidden histories, Alicia connects these tropes to her very own journey in film.
In this authentic approach to film theory, you’ll find essays on:
The dumb blonde
The Cinderella transformation
The femme fatale
A follow-up to Backwards and in Heels and The Female Gaze, Girls on Film is the final book in Alicia’s women in cinema trilogy. If you enjoy feminism books, movie books, or cinema books—like Trick Mirror, You Play the Girl, Where the Girls Are, and Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!—then you’ll love Girls on Film.
This was a really interesting read/listen. Alicia malone has a practically encyclopaedic knowledge on film, and in particular girls and woman in film. I went in without realising properly that this was the third and final in a series, a series that I’ll be sure to pick up now, having said that it makes no real difference, I didn’t feel like I had missed any points having not read the other two, it worked perfectly well as a stand alone. I love film and Alicia’s insight was quite remarkable. The takes on all the typical female tropes were brilliantly insightful. The changes that woman have made in this male dominated industry inspiring, as is Alicia herself. I’d love to one day visit the cinema she’s fought so hard to save. The writing is excellent. The narration slightly so (for me personally) but great all round.
March 29, 2022
I love well written non-fiction. Give me an interesting storyteller who is passionate about their subject, and could happily read about the origins and details of a myriad of topics. Alicia Malone clearly loves her work, and it shows. Wrapping the film history and analysis of female characterization in a memoir made it even better. Her own personal experiences and film knowledge added a unique bend to her insights. I do wish she’d delved a bit deeper into each trope, I was left wanting more in a few sections, but I still thoroughly enjoyed Girls on Film. I can’t wait to watch some of the classic movies discussed.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this advanced audiobook copy.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this advanced audiobook copy.
July 13, 2023
definitely found the bits on the movie history more engaging than the personal aspects, but still a solid book and a fast read. good if you have any sort of interest in film, but fairly surface level in critical analysis.
more of a 3.5 stars
more of a 3.5 stars
March 8, 2025
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to LIVE
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April 2, 2022
Girls on Film by Alicia Malone is an engaging and informative look at the history of women in film told using Malone's own life story as a framing device. So this is part memoir and part (mostly) film history.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Brigid Lohrey, did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was listening to a conversation where all of this information was being offered.
I found the ways in which Malone weaved her growing up watching movies, the usual issues of growing up, and the story of women in film into a coherent narrative to be very effective. While I see this referred to as a collection of essays I think that can be misleading. Even connected collections often lack any overarching narrative even though they are on the same topic. This flows as a single narrative with chapters that can be read as standalone essays, or at least that is the way I prefer to talk about it.
One of the key advantages of this format is that we see on both a personal level and an industry-wide level what the treatment of women in (and around) film means. How film can be an often poor substitute for education, how having a lack of diversity in the product itself as well as those who discuss and promote the product can distort viewer's perceptions of the world around them.
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in film and film history. It is entertaining as well as informative and offers some nice analyses of a few films. I have gone back and revisited a few because of this book.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Brigid Lohrey, did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was listening to a conversation where all of this information was being offered.
I found the ways in which Malone weaved her growing up watching movies, the usual issues of growing up, and the story of women in film into a coherent narrative to be very effective. While I see this referred to as a collection of essays I think that can be misleading. Even connected collections often lack any overarching narrative even though they are on the same topic. This flows as a single narrative with chapters that can be read as standalone essays, or at least that is the way I prefer to talk about it.
One of the key advantages of this format is that we see on both a personal level and an industry-wide level what the treatment of women in (and around) film means. How film can be an often poor substitute for education, how having a lack of diversity in the product itself as well as those who discuss and promote the product can distort viewer's perceptions of the world around them.
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in film and film history. It is entertaining as well as informative and offers some nice analyses of a few films. I have gone back and revisited a few because of this book.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 16, 2023
See look this is fun and cool but the one thing I don't understand about these books is, is it memoirs on Alicia's life? or about women in film? because most of it felt like it was about Alicia. and I like her buttttttt I would've preferred if i knew it was gonna be about her.
May 22, 2024
Alicia Malone’s Girls on Film is a thoroughly delightful book. Throughout its flawlessly-executed 200+ pages, the author skillfully blends heart and history with clear, crisp writing.
One needn’t be a woman to appreciate the book (I am not), which is evidence of Malone’s engaging style. Girls on Film is written for anyone who enjoys classic movies. It will encourage you to consider how those movies influence us, reflect our lives, and help us discover who we really are.
For many writers, a personal exploration of the kind Girls on Film provides might come across as self-important, but Malone writes with an uncommon humility that is the very opposite of pretension. The book incites readers to think, but Malone’s special skill is to provoke thought without exasperating. Yes, she discusses controversial contemporary issues but does so without a glint of sanctimony.
In Girls on Film, the writer candidly examines her struggles to reconcile personal values with the values presented on screen. I did not always agree with her attempts at synchronization, but among the book’s many triumphs is that Malone advances her discussion calmly, personally, and intellectually without marginalizing—and certainly without denigrating—anyone who might conclude differently. This is fresh air in an environment that undervalues such graceful writing.
Over the course of the book, the writer takes us on an illuminating tour of several classic movies such as Sunset Boulevard and The Bad and the Beautiful. The insight she pours into these films is remarkably fresh and revealing. There is something new here for even rabid fans to learn and enjoy.
The book also includes an array of funny and moving personal anecdotes. Malone’s description of her attempt to start a film club at her Australian high school is a touching example of how a gifted author can weave personal experience into wonderfully heart-rending gold.
Many books cause us to think, but few actually motivate us to change. In her “Overture,” Malone explains two Post-it notes she keeps on her computer. One reads, “Fail better”; the other, “Dig deeper.” This not only inspired me to do the same, but to share those principles and their important implications with my students.
One of the book’s best passages occurs when Malone describes how she began “optimizing every minute” of life. She blocked social media, switched from doom-scrolling headlines to reading newsprint, and “stopped listening to podcasts while walking, concentrating on the noises of the birds around me and the way the afternoon sun dappled on the leaves of the trees in my neighborhood.” That phrase is poetically and insightfully rendered, but her next surpasses it: “With the noise of the world on mute, I could hear what my soul had been trying to tell me.”
She goes on to explain the decision to migrate from one coast to the other. She did not do so to create a brand-new life, but to finally grasp the life she had always pursued yet never possessed. Ending the book with this life-changing pilgrimage was the perfect capstone, as it mirrored her intellectual journey in understanding classic films.
Malone moved to a rustic east coast town filled with natural beauty and stripped of what C.S. Lewis called the “anesthetic fog.” There she finally found herself: “It was as if this town was piecing me back together, returning me to my own natural state.” I would not have imagined a writer could craft the disparate elements of classic cinema, personal exploration, contemporary mores, and a Thoreauian “simplicity of life and elevation of purpose” theme into something so genuinely, cleanly lyrical. Nevertheless, Malone has done it.
I realize this review is probably much longer than necessary for a relatively short book, but I felt the author’s efforts deserved a thorough commentary. Girls on Film is deft, poignant, and enriching. I hope this talented author will grace us with more books in the future.
One needn’t be a woman to appreciate the book (I am not), which is evidence of Malone’s engaging style. Girls on Film is written for anyone who enjoys classic movies. It will encourage you to consider how those movies influence us, reflect our lives, and help us discover who we really are.
For many writers, a personal exploration of the kind Girls on Film provides might come across as self-important, but Malone writes with an uncommon humility that is the very opposite of pretension. The book incites readers to think, but Malone’s special skill is to provoke thought without exasperating. Yes, she discusses controversial contemporary issues but does so without a glint of sanctimony.
In Girls on Film, the writer candidly examines her struggles to reconcile personal values with the values presented on screen. I did not always agree with her attempts at synchronization, but among the book’s many triumphs is that Malone advances her discussion calmly, personally, and intellectually without marginalizing—and certainly without denigrating—anyone who might conclude differently. This is fresh air in an environment that undervalues such graceful writing.
Over the course of the book, the writer takes us on an illuminating tour of several classic movies such as Sunset Boulevard and The Bad and the Beautiful. The insight she pours into these films is remarkably fresh and revealing. There is something new here for even rabid fans to learn and enjoy.
The book also includes an array of funny and moving personal anecdotes. Malone’s description of her attempt to start a film club at her Australian high school is a touching example of how a gifted author can weave personal experience into wonderfully heart-rending gold.
Many books cause us to think, but few actually motivate us to change. In her “Overture,” Malone explains two Post-it notes she keeps on her computer. One reads, “Fail better”; the other, “Dig deeper.” This not only inspired me to do the same, but to share those principles and their important implications with my students.
One of the book’s best passages occurs when Malone describes how she began “optimizing every minute” of life. She blocked social media, switched from doom-scrolling headlines to reading newsprint, and “stopped listening to podcasts while walking, concentrating on the noises of the birds around me and the way the afternoon sun dappled on the leaves of the trees in my neighborhood.” That phrase is poetically and insightfully rendered, but her next surpasses it: “With the noise of the world on mute, I could hear what my soul had been trying to tell me.”
She goes on to explain the decision to migrate from one coast to the other. She did not do so to create a brand-new life, but to finally grasp the life she had always pursued yet never possessed. Ending the book with this life-changing pilgrimage was the perfect capstone, as it mirrored her intellectual journey in understanding classic films.
Malone moved to a rustic east coast town filled with natural beauty and stripped of what C.S. Lewis called the “anesthetic fog.” There she finally found herself: “It was as if this town was piecing me back together, returning me to my own natural state.” I would not have imagined a writer could craft the disparate elements of classic cinema, personal exploration, contemporary mores, and a Thoreauian “simplicity of life and elevation of purpose” theme into something so genuinely, cleanly lyrical. Nevertheless, Malone has done it.
I realize this review is probably much longer than necessary for a relatively short book, but I felt the author’s efforts deserved a thorough commentary. Girls on Film is deft, poignant, and enriching. I hope this talented author will grace us with more books in the future.
February 9, 2025
4.5
What am I really looking for when I go to the cinema or pick a film to watch at home? Am I trying to learn about the world or myself?
I went to Los Angeles over a year ago now and I still think about it everyday. It left such an impact on me and fuelled my obsession with film and the appeal of Hollywood. One of my favourite excursions was the Academy Museum where I picked up this book. I bought it because I need to make more of an effort to read about and watch films made by and starring women. I didn't really read much of the blurb and just picked it up because it sounded nice. Flash forward to February 2025 (yes, I took too long to read this) and my excitement in discovering that Alicia Malone is an Australian! Pretty amazing that out of all the books in that store I chose one by an Australian author which also detailed her career in and outside of Australia.
I had no idea who Alicia Malone was but after reading this, she is seriously my newest inspiration. Her love for film and old Hollywood was very similar to mine as a teenager (ie. I would basically just write lists and then watch critically acclaimed movies). I've only recently started reading the literature and I've only recently gotten into classic film. Nevertheless, I saw myself in almost all of what she said. This was immensely comforting and really set the scene, if you will, for what was basically a very accessible conversation about the influence women of the screen have had on her life. Again, she has a similar relationship to depictions of women in film as me! A kind of fascination with the outward vulnerability of stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe or Lana Turner, or impact of actresses such as Ingrid Bergman and Louise Beavers. The cultural impact of these women, their stories and their performances is prevalent in the way we still talk about them!
I loved learning about Alicia's career (a dream basically). I loved reading about her experiences (I desperately need to know who that actor who 'plays a superhero' and started quoting The Perks of Being a Wallflower to her is). Obsessed with the way she just packed up and moved to Los Angeles (another dream).
I don't know if you know how big of a deal it is that I have found her! All her conversations about male critics and historians were completely accurate. There is a lack of women represented in film discourse (and even the film industry itself) and I am actively trying to seek out women that I can look up to and see myself in. My only issue with this book was that I personally like to really dig deep in history or theory and would have loved some more depth in the conversations around representation. We did touch on it a little and I think it may be more explored with her other books. Anyway, enough from me. Go and watch Some Like It Hot or Casablanca or something.
(PS. the title for this book is wrong on Goodreads? It's actually called 'Lessons from a Life of Watching Women in Movies' so hopefully I can fix this somewhere)
What am I really looking for when I go to the cinema or pick a film to watch at home? Am I trying to learn about the world or myself?
I went to Los Angeles over a year ago now and I still think about it everyday. It left such an impact on me and fuelled my obsession with film and the appeal of Hollywood. One of my favourite excursions was the Academy Museum where I picked up this book. I bought it because I need to make more of an effort to read about and watch films made by and starring women. I didn't really read much of the blurb and just picked it up because it sounded nice. Flash forward to February 2025 (yes, I took too long to read this) and my excitement in discovering that Alicia Malone is an Australian! Pretty amazing that out of all the books in that store I chose one by an Australian author which also detailed her career in and outside of Australia.
I had no idea who Alicia Malone was but after reading this, she is seriously my newest inspiration. Her love for film and old Hollywood was very similar to mine as a teenager (ie. I would basically just write lists and then watch critically acclaimed movies). I've only recently started reading the literature and I've only recently gotten into classic film. Nevertheless, I saw myself in almost all of what she said. This was immensely comforting and really set the scene, if you will, for what was basically a very accessible conversation about the influence women of the screen have had on her life. Again, she has a similar relationship to depictions of women in film as me! A kind of fascination with the outward vulnerability of stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe or Lana Turner, or impact of actresses such as Ingrid Bergman and Louise Beavers. The cultural impact of these women, their stories and their performances is prevalent in the way we still talk about them!
I loved learning about Alicia's career (a dream basically). I loved reading about her experiences (I desperately need to know who that actor who 'plays a superhero' and started quoting The Perks of Being a Wallflower to her is). Obsessed with the way she just packed up and moved to Los Angeles (another dream).
I don't know if you know how big of a deal it is that I have found her! All her conversations about male critics and historians were completely accurate. There is a lack of women represented in film discourse (and even the film industry itself) and I am actively trying to seek out women that I can look up to and see myself in. My only issue with this book was that I personally like to really dig deep in history or theory and would have loved some more depth in the conversations around representation. We did touch on it a little and I think it may be more explored with her other books. Anyway, enough from me. Go and watch Some Like It Hot or Casablanca or something.
(PS. the title for this book is wrong on Goodreads? It's actually called 'Lessons from a Life of Watching Women in Movies' so hopefully I can fix this somewhere)
April 2, 2022
Girls on Film by Alicia Malone is an engaging and informative look at the history of women in film told using Malone's own life story as a framing device. So this is part memoir and part (mostly) film history.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Brigid Lohrey, did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was listening to a conversation where all of this information was being offered.
I found the ways in which Malone weaved her growing up watching movies, the usual issues of growing up, and the story of women in film into a coherent narrative to be very effective. While I see this referred to as a collection of essays I think that can be misleading. Even connected collections often lack any overarching narrative even though they are on the same topic. This flows as a single narrative with chapters that can be read as standalone essays, or at least that is the way I prefer to talk about it.
One of the key advantages of this format is that we see on both a personal level and an industry-wide level what the treatment of women in (and around) film means. How film can be an often poor substitute for education, how having a lack of diversity in the product itself as well as those who discuss and promote the product can distort viewer's perceptions of the world around them.
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in film and film history. It is entertaining as well as informative and offers some nice analyses of a few films. I have gone back and revisited a few because of this book.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Brigid Lohrey, did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was listening to a conversation where all of this information was being offered.
I found the ways in which Malone weaved her growing up watching movies, the usual issues of growing up, and the story of women in film into a coherent narrative to be very effective. While I see this referred to as a collection of essays I think that can be misleading. Even connected collections often lack any overarching narrative even though they are on the same topic. This flows as a single narrative with chapters that can be read as standalone essays, or at least that is the way I prefer to talk about it.
One of the key advantages of this format is that we see on both a personal level and an industry-wide level what the treatment of women in (and around) film means. How film can be an often poor substitute for education, how having a lack of diversity in the product itself as well as those who discuss and promote the product can distort viewer's perceptions of the world around them.
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in film and film history. It is entertaining as well as informative and offers some nice analyses of a few films. I have gone back and revisited a few because of this book.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
April 20, 2023
Such a relatable and engaging read. I didn't necessarily grow up watching Turner Classic Movies, but it became a major comfort channel for me to discover random old films on Friday nights in my late high school/early college years, and is now my favorite and primary source in my full-blown classic movie obsession. Alicia Malone joined as a host just a couple years after I started watching TCM, so she feels like an old friend already as do all the current hosts (although don't tell the rest, she's always been my favorite). TCM is a thoughtfully curated wealth of movie history and the hosts' commentary and anecdotes about the films are a huge part of that, so it's no wonder it was Alicia's dream job.
I was very pleasantly surprised that Girls on Film spanned equal parts memoir/personal anecdote and in-depth film discussion. I loved reading about how Alicia achieved her dream career, but the chapters are also peppered with intensely relatable emotions and experiences, tied-in to various films Alicia was impacted by at each stage of her life from childhood to present and analysis of the broader cultural influences of films, focused of course on their female stars and how they're portrayed. Alicia doesn't shy away from the nuances of being a classic film fan and how her personal opinions of various films from the (sometimes problematic) past continue to evolve, and I related heavily to a lot of what she shared, movie-wise and otherwise-wise. This book felt like having a late night heart-to-heart or passionate coffeeshop chat with a fellow film-obsessed big sis, and I loved it.
I was very pleasantly surprised that Girls on Film spanned equal parts memoir/personal anecdote and in-depth film discussion. I loved reading about how Alicia achieved her dream career, but the chapters are also peppered with intensely relatable emotions and experiences, tied-in to various films Alicia was impacted by at each stage of her life from childhood to present and analysis of the broader cultural influences of films, focused of course on their female stars and how they're portrayed. Alicia doesn't shy away from the nuances of being a classic film fan and how her personal opinions of various films from the (sometimes problematic) past continue to evolve, and I related heavily to a lot of what she shared, movie-wise and otherwise-wise. This book felt like having a late night heart-to-heart or passionate coffeeshop chat with a fellow film-obsessed big sis, and I loved it.
June 25, 2025
What a lovely memoir, I really love the format, we’re going through her memories of certain movies from the time she was a kid to now. There’s a great chapter about classics and how to feel about them (some of them didn’t age well) and I really agree with a nuanced take :
“Watching classic movies with modern eyes can be a confronting experience, but one of the biggest ways we can keep classic films alive and relevant to the next generation is to engage with them. Society changes as the years go on, and our own attitudes shift too, but classic films remain locked in their moment. They’re time capsules, filled with relics of the past—which can include racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia—sitting right alongside their artistic merits. It can be easy to view these old movies as if they are museum pieces, works of art that should stay in a glass box, never to be touched or have their artists questioned. I’ve certainly been guilty of that thinking. But I’ve come to realize we can have a more rewarding experience if we are willing to break that museum glass, discuss the film, and be critical when necessary. Because while we can acknowledge that the movie was made at a different time, we don’t need to excuse any problematic content, nor do we do ourselves any favors ignoring it.”
The same is true for books (I know a nuanced take in the year 2025, how crazy)
This was just so lovely to read
“Watching classic movies with modern eyes can be a confronting experience, but one of the biggest ways we can keep classic films alive and relevant to the next generation is to engage with them. Society changes as the years go on, and our own attitudes shift too, but classic films remain locked in their moment. They’re time capsules, filled with relics of the past—which can include racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia—sitting right alongside their artistic merits. It can be easy to view these old movies as if they are museum pieces, works of art that should stay in a glass box, never to be touched or have their artists questioned. I’ve certainly been guilty of that thinking. But I’ve come to realize we can have a more rewarding experience if we are willing to break that museum glass, discuss the film, and be critical when necessary. Because while we can acknowledge that the movie was made at a different time, we don’t need to excuse any problematic content, nor do we do ourselves any favors ignoring it.”
The same is true for books (I know a nuanced take in the year 2025, how crazy)
This was just so lovely to read
March 31, 2022
Girls On Film was an entertaining audiobook chronicling both the history of classic cinema and the author's personal journey, starting with an interest in film when she was young and culminating in being a film journalist. Unfortunately, this mix did not really work for me. While I enjoyed the individual parts, it did not really feel like a cohesive narration to me. The stories about famous actors such as Liz Taylor and Marilyn Monroe were very insightful and reminded me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo at times. Likewise, I appreciated Malone's reflection on how these women were being treated and portrayed. However, some parts felt like she was just listing her accomplishments and name dropping celebrities she had interviewed. This did not really speak to the expectations I had of the book. Further, even though this could simply be due to the Australian accent I am quite frankly unfamiliar with, the narration sometimes contributed to this feeling of merely listening to a list of achievements.
All this being said, I still enjoyed this title and am very grateful to both Netgalley and Tantor Audio for having received the listening copy!
All this being said, I still enjoyed this title and am very grateful to both Netgalley and Tantor Audio for having received the listening copy!
March 31, 2022
I seriously enjoyed listening to Brigid Lohrey reading Alicia’s perspective on film theory and her backstory to how she got to be one of the greats in her life and career. Malone had me laughing from beginning to end and I absolutely related to not being able to start a film club in high school successfully because no one wanted to watch the classics!
I really enjoyed the different genres she touched on such as noir and dramas dealing with the female gaze. She made really great points on the struggle most female actresses in the 40s and 50s went through to keep their careers despite risking their reputation.
Truly a great read, what a way to end her series! I want to thank Alicia Malone for publishing this book and working to keep TCM great! I also want to thank @netgalley and @tantoraudio for the ARC.
#girlsonfilm #aliciamalone #netgalley #tantoraudio #womeninfilm #womensupportingwomen
Follow me:
Instagram: @energygal25
Twitter: @energygal25
I really enjoyed the different genres she touched on such as noir and dramas dealing with the female gaze. She made really great points on the struggle most female actresses in the 40s and 50s went through to keep their careers despite risking their reputation.
Truly a great read, what a way to end her series! I want to thank Alicia Malone for publishing this book and working to keep TCM great! I also want to thank @netgalley and @tantoraudio for the ARC.
#girlsonfilm #aliciamalone #netgalley #tantoraudio #womeninfilm #womensupportingwomen
Follow me:
Instagram: @energygal25
Twitter: @energygal25
April 1, 2022
Girls on film is part memoir and part movie history. It's a short book about the women on film who shaped and fostered a love of movies for the author Alicia Malone. I had a bit of trouble with this concept, I found myself wanting more information about the author and also more information about women on film. The book left me wanting more movie history and also more personal memoir.
I learned some new information about the history of movies and how women were portrayed. I would have loved to see the history expand to include more modern examples of how roles have changed. I was also really interested in how Alicia grew to love movies and found a job working at TCM. I would love to hear more details of her personal life and experiences.
Overall this book just left me wanting more of both stories. Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for providing me with a copy of this audiobook to read and review!
I learned some new information about the history of movies and how women were portrayed. I would have loved to see the history expand to include more modern examples of how roles have changed. I was also really interested in how Alicia grew to love movies and found a job working at TCM. I would love to hear more details of her personal life and experiences.
Overall this book just left me wanting more of both stories. Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for providing me with a copy of this audiobook to read and review!
June 27, 2022
I loved this memoir of Alicia at the Movies! She talked wisely about the movies that influenced her growing up and why. She identified the female stereotypes and their darker subtext. She explained that most of the films that gave us indelible examples of how women are supposed to behave were made by men. All good stuff.
She also takes us along on her personal journey, explaining that, when she stopped trying to be what was expected and instead projected her own authentic self, she found success. Also good stuff.
The thing of it is, since it's part Alicia's personal story and part a look at women in the movies, it's hardly as "complete" as the title suggests. So buyer beware.
She also takes us along on her personal journey, explaining that, when she stopped trying to be what was expected and instead projected her own authentic self, she found success. Also good stuff.
The thing of it is, since it's part Alicia's personal story and part a look at women in the movies, it's hardly as "complete" as the title suggests. So buyer beware.
September 11, 2022
Einmal abgesehen davon, dass Alicia Malone eine wichtige Stimme in einem gesellschaftlichen Bereich ist, der noch sehr männlich dominiert ist, ist dieses Buch so lala: ein scheinbar wilder Mix aus Biografie, Filminhaltsangaben und Hollywood Inside Stories. Sprache und Struktur sind leicht und essayhaft.
Besonders gut gefiel mir ihr Text immer dann, wenn er mich tiefer in unbekannte Gewässer geführt hat, die geheimen Leben von Filmstars und theoretische Untiefen, um das System des Male Cinemas zu dekonstruieren. Doch dazwischen gab es mir zu viel Privates und Geplänkel. Insgesamt ein guter Einstieg in ein spannendes Thema!
🎧📚
Besonders gut gefiel mir ihr Text immer dann, wenn er mich tiefer in unbekannte Gewässer geführt hat, die geheimen Leben von Filmstars und theoretische Untiefen, um das System des Male Cinemas zu dekonstruieren. Doch dazwischen gab es mir zu viel Privates und Geplänkel. Insgesamt ein guter Einstieg in ein spannendes Thema!
🎧📚
October 25, 2023
I was drawn to read this book as I had hoped it would help me deal with the burn out that has come from the long strikes of 2023 and just general exhaustion of trying to be in the entertainment industry.
While this book is far from perfect it really did help me get back in touch with that younger self who first dreamed of making the big move to Hollywood and find her way telling stories on screen. Since the book is one I read for such deeply personal reasons not sure if it’s one id recommended but I definitely think it helped me start the process of rediscovering my passions
While this book is far from perfect it really did help me get back in touch with that younger self who first dreamed of making the big move to Hollywood and find her way telling stories on screen. Since the book is one I read for such deeply personal reasons not sure if it’s one id recommended but I definitely think it helped me start the process of rediscovering my passions
March 20, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook before the release date.
This book is the story of women through the cinema. I love a good film and thanks to this books I learned a lot about cinema and woman history. I loved Alicia Malone way to tell us her story and the story of a lot other powerful women and a lot of issues in the cinematic universe.
This book really hooked me from the beginning eager to learn more about this world.
This book is the story of women through the cinema. I love a good film and thanks to this books I learned a lot about cinema and woman history. I loved Alicia Malone way to tell us her story and the story of a lot other powerful women and a lot of issues in the cinematic universe.
This book really hooked me from the beginning eager to learn more about this world.
April 13, 2023
I loved this book! I wasn't a big classic film fan before reading, but Alicia's passion achieved exactly what she set out to do, evoke interest in classic films from those who previously were uninterested. I particularly loved how she emphasized the importance of believing in yourself and at the end of the book when she mentioned all the things she achieved in her life despite the many people who told her it was impossible.
March 11, 2024
2.5 rounded up. Interesting and easy read. Conclusion was not very conclusive. Enjoyed the constant movie references and definitely learned a few things, but felt like this book couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a historical narrative about women in film or just a biography of the author’s history with women in film. It leaned more toward the latter, but the latter didn’t have much of a plot. Either way, I did enjoy, but I will forget this book quickly
October 7, 2024
Read this in roughly a day. An enjoyable book that's more memoir than movie history...I'm not sure why it's subtitled this way, honestly. There's some history for sure, especially earlier in the book, but most of this is the author reflecting on her life through her experiences as a movie lover. It was fun to learn, at the end, that Malone has recently moved from L.A. to a small New England town and made her dream of running a movie theatre come true.
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