These magazine and book covers of Honor Blackman, better known as “Cathy Gale” from The Avengers (no, not the ones with Scarlett Johansson) and “Pussy Galore” from what is likely the finest movie in the 007 canon, Goldfinger—I find them totally fascinating. It’s not for me to choose what imagery feminists should adopt, but to my way of thinking there’s not much that communicates “girl power” better than these images of Blackman kicking royal (legitimate) ass.
It’s not always easy to tell, but her adoption of judo and/or karate seems not to have been mere PR puffery. The books were obviously popular multiple editions. Anyone know why that black cover uses the American spelling of “defense,” even though “for copyright reasons this edition is not for sale in the U.S.A.”?
“Honor Blackman’s Book of Self-Defense, in which the striking actress demonstrates ‘defense galore’”
“From the karate chop to the interior leg throw, here is the modern girl’s ABC of self-defense.”
Here’s an (annoyingly watermarked) interview clip in which Blackman shows a few judo moves and discusses her approach to the martial art.
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Patrick MacNee / Honor Blackman: Kinky Boots