Tainted Goddesses: Female Film Stars of the Third Reich

by Cinzia Romani

Book by Romani, Cinzia

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, History

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

(6/10) Tainted Goddesses is kind of a strange artifact. It's halfway between film criticism and the world's most awkward coffee table book, providing an analysis of popular cinema during Germany's Third Reich, detailed descriptions of the actresses of the period, and glossy glamour photos of the same actresses. To be honest I wish the book had more of the critical analysis of the introduction and less of what Wikipedia editors call "listcruff". But what's most valuable about Tainted Goddesses is how it reminds us that even the Nazis went to silly movies, and how totalitarianism can be reinforced not just through heavy-handed propaganda but also through light entertainment.

[Jason Coffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about a period of film history that many people don't know much (if anything) about. Some really intriguing stories, too bad many of the films described aren't available (at least in the U.S.).

[Irene Palfy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok.. but partly just inaccurate.. I wonder whether the author might just be quoting other books - and whehter she ever saw the films she talks about here..