Paean to golden era of female wrestling

The Fabulous Moolah. Gladys “Killem” Gillem. Diamond Lil.

They were among the first ladies of wrestling who decades ago -- and long before the women’s liberation movement -- kicked, punched and hit their way to glory in arenas all across America.

Though the Fabulous Moolah and the Great Mae Young are still performing in their 80s with World Wrestling Entertainment inc. -- they were even scheduled to participate in Sunday’s WrestleMania 21 at Staples Center -- most of these women are long forgotten.

“Lipstick & Dynamite,” a new documentary opening Friday, seeks to rectify that situation by spotlighting the colorful, tough and sometimes heartbreaking lives of these original million-dollar babies. Produced and directed by Ruth Leitman, the film features vintage clips and photographs from the girls’ heyday plus interviews with the women today. The film culminates in a reunion of several of the wrestlers.

For many of these women, wrestling was a way to escape often brutal lower-class backgrounds. But they soon discovered that life in the ring could also be vicious. Managers would take 50% of their salary; they lived out of their suitcases because they were constantly on the road; they played hurt -- one young female wrestler even died during a match. Others, however, went on to marriages and started families.

Gillem, who retired from wrestling in 1962, is the true pioneer of the group. And one willing to wrestle anyone or anything. Beginning her career wrestling in a circus sideshow in 1939, Gillem went headlock to headlock not only with women, but with men, bears and alligators. After her wrestling days were over, she took up another dangerous profession: lion trainer.