Mothers, Mammies and Old Maids

Analyses the contributions of female supporting players in the films of Hollywood's Golden Age. The twenty-five actresses profiled range from the easily recognisable to the long forgotten, and from the prolific to the one-work wonders. Each profile captures the essence of the individual performer's on-screen persona, unique talents and popular appeal, with special emphasis on the single definitive performance of the actress's motion picture career.