Public Library Quarterly

Often thought of as primarily male vehicles, films noirs offered some of the most complex female roles of any movies of the 1940s and 1950s. Stars such as Stanwyck, Tierney and Crawford produced some of their finest performances in noir, while such lesser known actresses as Peggie Castle, Hope Emerson and Helen Walker made a lasting impression on moviegoers with their roles in the genre. These six women and 43 others most frequently featured in films noirs receive biographies that focus primarily on their work in the genre and its impact on their careers, with a filmography of noir appearances.