Gilded Girls: Women Entertainers Of The Old West

by Chris Enss, JoAnn Chartier

The curtain rises and authors JoAnn Chartier and Chris Enss shine the spotlight on 14 entertaining women who sang, danced, acted in plays, performed equestrienne feats, and captured the hearts of the miners and homesteaders of the Frontier West. These "gilded girls" who performed in the mining boomtowns were literally showered with gold, but oftentimes their personal lives were marked by unhappiness. Still, their very presence on stage enchanted avid western audiences, and they were rewarded with flowery reviews and sensational editorials by local newspapers, as well as riches. Their every action was commented upon, but rarely did reporters know the whole story. Chartier and Enss now reveal what many people of the times never knew about these sometimes rowdy, sometimes refined female celebrities by providing a unique inside look at their lives via this collection of intriguing biographies.

Maude Adams: The Most Popular Actress in America 3 --
Mary Anderson: Self-Made Star 15 --
Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine Sarah 29 --
Mrs. Leslie Carter: Passionate Player 43 --
Caroline Chapman: Shakespeare to Slapstick 55 --
Catherine Hayes: The Irish Prima Donna 65 --
Matilda Heron: Star of the American Theater 73 --
Lillie Langtry: The Jersey Lily 83 --
Adah Menken: The Frenzy of Frisco 97 --
Helena Modjeska: Polish Phenomenon 109 --
Lucille Mulhall: Cowgirl 123 --
Kate Rockwell: Flame of the Yukon 133 --
Lillian Russell: America's Beauty 145 --
Sarah Kirby Stark: Pioneer Manager 157

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Womens Studies, Westerns

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This relatively short book with fourteen brief biographies of women who entertained audiences in the mid to late 1800s and early 1900s west. The majority of women were immigrants who used their talents to bring evenings of enjoyment to the largely male audiences. Sarah Bernhardt, Lillie Langtry and Lillian Russell are most stars most have heard about. Most of the others I don't remember hearing anything about but they add to the interesting cultural view and women's history.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable look at the actresses of the Old West. A good collection of short biographies.

[Michael Barnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for anyone planning to write a book set in the Old West dealing with women entertainers.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really about the Old West but still interesting.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on how and what some women did to make money back in the old days. Great book on history and told the stories of numerous women.