Ms Kathleen's Review

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The Notorious Bettie Page

Real Stories

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Starring: Gretchen Mol

Chris Bauer

Jared Harris

Sarah Paulson

Cara Seymour

Directed by Mary Harron

HBO Films

2006

Length: 90 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars “The Notorious Bettie Page” begins with a publicity-seeking smut hunt conducted by Senator Estes Kefauver (David Strathairn). As Bettie waits to testify before a Senate subcommittee, we get a backward glance at her life.

Born in the early twenties, she had a strict, religious mother and a father who the film hints may have abused her.

The film stars Gretchen Mol as Bettie, and focuses primarily on the 1950's and Bettie's quick ascension in the modeling world. There are plenty of interesting facts about Bettie the film sets forth, including her discovery in 1950 by an African-American New York cop (Kevin Carroll) who dabbles in photography, as we learn that he's the one who suggests Bettie give herself the haircut --complete with the very distinctive bangs-- that would become her trademark.