From the Publisher
"In this invaluable book film scholar J. E. Smyth... shows that women were the prime movers in the motion picture industry from the 1890s forward.... This excellent, detailed account of the women who made Hollywood hum offers an entirely new vision of Hollywood." —CHOICE
"[Smyth's] book is groundbreaking in detailing the achievements of women neglected by Hollywood histories." —Carrie Rickey, Film Quarterly"An excellent foundation for researchers to build upon . . . a fascinating untold story." —H-Net"The focus on directors has also led to the erasure of women's roles in Hollywood studio-era filmmaking is one of the most important and illuminating points made by J.E. Smyth in her new book,Nobodys Girl Friday: The Women Who Ran Hollywood. Smyth does not unearthany forgotten female directors.""Though this dilligently researched book has obviously been in the works for some time, its release is perfectly timed with the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, which have made unignorable the way women have for decades been systematically underpaid, excluded from positions of influence, and subjected to sexual harassment in Hollywood."
"Smyth ends her book with little optimism for improvement in the future, but leaves readers with a good reason to reconsider and appreciate the past."
— CINEASTE Magazine
"A brilliant book and delicious read that helps women take their rightful place in the history of Hollywood." — Katie Buckland, Executive Director, Writers Guild Foundation"Smyth's book is something of a revelation, even for readers who enjoy a steady diet of films on Turner Classic Movies. Scouring studio newsletters and company directories, she surfaces the names of women who held prominent positions in the film industry, including agents, writers and producers."— The Washington Post "Nobody's Girl Friday is a meticulously researched history of how women entered, developed, sustained, and grew within the Hollywood dream factory in that mid-century period before World War II and through to the end of the system in the early '60s...[Smyth has] provided a wise counterpoint to the "Great Man" auteur theory on two levels. We have always been aware that films are not immaculately created. They're a collaboration between many essential parties. Now, with Nobody's Girl Friday, we can be assured that the "Great Man" theory is wrong on literal as well as figurative levels." — Popmatters "In a fresh, lively examination of women's places in lm history, Smyth has uncovered abundant evidence for their significant roles as producers, writers, agents, editors, designers, union leaders, and, of course, performers...An exuberant celebration of empowered women." — Kirkus Reviews "Nobody's Girl Friday is an energetic, surprising and vital book that uncovers and celebrates the accomplishments of women who created film history from the 1920s to the 1960" — Shelf Awareness "In the age of #MeToo, as actresses expose Hollywood exploitation and female filmmakers are all too rare, it's astonishing to learn how times have changed - for the worse - in the last 80 years. As historian J.E. Smyth reveals in Nobody's Girl Friday...the American lm industry during its 'Golden Age' in the 1930s and 1940s was a model of workplace equality, with at least 40 percent of jobs filled by women." — The New York Post"Aimed at readers with a knowledge of and keen interest in Hollywood of yesteryear, Smyth's enlightening tome reveals the power and influence women wielded in Tinseltown during the Great Depression, WWII, and the postwar era." — Booklist"A timely study built on detailed research into Golden Age Hollywood...Smyth's work stands out as especially meaningful in the era of #MeToo and revived resistance of women in Hollywood to gender inequality." — Publishers Weekly"Her book is groundbreaking in detailing the achievements of women neglected by Hollywood histories..." —- Film Quarterly "Smyth's book presents a fascinating untold story, focused not only on Hollywood stars but on the women behind the scenes who have remained unnamed for too long." —- H-Net
