Who is the best Femme Fatale?
Lizabeth Scott, I think.
Linda Fiorentino is certainly in the running for Big Killer Femme Fatale. Rumor has it she won her role in MIB with Sonnenfeld in a poker game.
Wow…This rumor made my skin crawl…Linda, Linda Linda…
Jessica Rabbit, hands down.
In “The Last Seduction” Linda Fiorentino delivers what Sharon Stone barely promises.
She should have had a bigger career.
That would be Gloria Grahame. End Of Thread.
Barbara Stanwyck as Phyllis Dietrichson in “Double Indemnity”
I actually did a list of my top ten Femme Fatales. Check it out at http://mubi.com/lists/deadly-is-the-female-top-10-femmes-fatales-not-all-from-film-noir
Yup, I would have to say a tie between Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity and Peggy Cummins in Gun Crazy.
i also have a list. my favorite might be jane greer in out of the past
I never saw her in the daytime. We seemed to live by night. What was left of the day went away like a pack of cigarettes you smoked. I didn’t know where she lived. I never followed her. All I ever had to go on was a place and time to see her again. I don’t know what we were waiting for. Maybe we thought the world would end.
and then there’s ann savage in detour. probably the meanest dame this side of linda fiorentino
Say who do you think you’re talking to – a hick? Listen Mister, I been around, and I know a wrong guy when I see one. What’d you do, kiss him with a wrench?
I’d hate to see a fellow as young as you wind up sniffin’ that perfume Arizona hands out free to murderers
nah. no one jumps on a chap like betty amann. that’s pretty fatal.
asphalt? thx mags, i’ll add it to my list xD
Detour is on netflix instant. I’m going to have to check that one out.
I don’t know that I could pick a best overall, but I do agree with how good Fiorentino was in The Last Seduction. I think she played the role beautifully, but I also really like the character. Instead of developing some ridiculously complex plan all in advance, she is just ruthlessly dedicated to getting what she wants and is brilliant at fast thinking on her feet. Unstoppable.
Kathleen Turner in Body Heat
Lizabeth Scott in DEAD RECKONING is a piece of work, and yeah, Stanwyck in DOUBLE INDEMNITY, and Gardner in THE KILLERS are prototype Bad News Babes whose schemes lead to destruction.
Along those lines, I also like Yvonne DeCarlo in CRISS CROSS, Peggy Cummins in GUN CRAZY, and Joan Bennett in SCARLET STREET.
There are numerous gradations of determination in film noir narrative that indicate how pre-destined the actions or motives of these women really are. Some of these gals are born bad, others drawn into dire circumstances, and in the case of Gene Tierney in LAURA, she’s simply standing there while men become obsessed with her.
So for me the ideal femme fatale is that woman who—from the gate and purely of her own volition—takes us by the hand and leads us straight to hell, with no compunctions that she’s joining us there.
Gotta go with Gene Tierney in LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN. That epic case of Electra syndrome and her icy demeanor remain unmatched.
I’m also fascinated by that spooky angel of death Jean Simmons plays in ANGEL FACE.
Gloria Swanson is a variation on that theme in SUNSET BLVD., and Marilyn Monroe is the most boldly calculating bitch in that context. She should have been bad more often.
Then there’s Jessica Walter in PLAY MISTY FOR ME.
@…“there’s ann savage in detour. probably the meanest dame this side of linda fiorentino”
Real nightmare!
Jeanne Moreau in THE BRIDE WORE BLACK (‘68)
Mieko Harada as Lady Kaede in RAN (’85)
I dont know if I would consider Moreau a femme fatale in The Bride Wore Black. She’s more of a lady of vengeance. Regardless, she’s magnificent.
Fuck it, Moreau got enough body count, schemed her way smartly even the artist dude fell for her.
Lana Turner in THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE
kiri kiri kiri
AAAAARRRGH!!!
lol
also, i love angelica huston as lilly in the grifters
annette bening was pretty good in that too
Huston in The Girfters reaches heights of Pity and Terror not seen outside of Jacobean revenge tragedy, as for example
I also have a blog about Femme Fatales. Take a look: Fırat Ataç’s Femme Fatales
…Linda Fiorentino in Jade
No mention of the wonderful Isabelle???
NEXT!!!
^Damn. Should’ve mentioned her.
Totall Recall, Basic Instinct, Diabolique, The Quick and the Dead
Fırat Ataç
My all time favorites are Linda Fiorentino in The Last Seduction and Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct….Who are yours?