Lona Bailey – författare

An authorized look at the life and career of Hollywood icon and Academy-Award Winning actress Anne Baxter.Anne Baxter’s life was a vibrant tapestry of remarkable talent, personal resilience, and enduring legacy still relevant today even 40 years after her death. Born into a family of extraordinary creativity as the granddaughter of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Anne was destined to make her own enduring mark on the world.Her journey into the spotlight began at just 13 years old. By the 1940s and 50s, she had become one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses, delivering iconic performances in films like Guest in the House (1944), Yellow Sky (1948), The Razor’s Edge (1946), All About Eve (1950) and The Ten Commandments (1954). She also appeared in hit television series such as Batman, Ironside, Columbo, and Hotel. Alongside her career, she had three marriages, raised three daughters, and endured periods as a single working mother while juggling the demands of Hollywood. Her life swayed from heartbreak such as her miscarriage in the Australian bush to highs such as her triumphant return to Broadway in the 1970s to star in Applause, the musical adaptation of All About Eve.All About Anne Baxter is the first authorized biography of Anne Baxter, enriched by insights and exclusive interviews with her daughters, friends, and colleagues. It paints an intimate portrait of a woman who mastered her craft, defied expectations, and left a timeless mark on the entertainment world. Lona Bailey explores her entire journey, providing a deeper and more comprehensive portrait of her as an artist, a mother, and a woman navigating fame, family, and the evolving entertainment industry. Anne’s story is sure to inspire a new generation of readers to appreciate her artistry and the barriers she broke for women in entertainment.

An empowering look at one of pop culture's most enduring feminist icons, The Wicked Witch of the West.More than 125 years after her introduction, the Wicked Witch of the West remains an icon of popular culture. Known by many names—from “The Wicked Witch of the West” to Evillene, Elphaba, and Theodora—she consistently defies expectations and wields her power unapologetically. At the heart of her everlasting appeal is her embodiment of feminist ideals that resonate today.In Wicked Witch of the West: The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon, Lona Bailey explores the radical feministic undertones of one of the most enduring characters in popular culture. Introduced in 1900 through L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch has captivated generations as both a symbol of fear and empowerment. More than just a villain, she embodies rebellion and resistance, refusing to conform to the roles historically assigned to women. This book traces her transformation over the past century, highlighting how she has evolved through countless adaptations from The Wizard of Oz to the film adaptation of Wicked while maintaining her core identity as a powerful, defiant figure. To understand why the Witch remains captivating more than a century after her creation, Bailey delves into the radical feminism underlying her character and examines how she has been reinterpreted since her debut. From the suffrage movement to the fight for reproductive rights, and from the #MeToo movement to ongoing battles against gender stereotypes, the Witch symbolizes the struggles and triumphs women face. Her presence transcends mere performance; she serves as a reminder that the fight for justice, equality, and autonomy continues. By exploring the Witch’s feminist evolution, readers will gain insight into why her character resonates with generations of women.