About the Documentary
Lipstick & Dynamite, Piss & Vinegar: The First Ladies of Wrestling is a vibrant, unfiltered documentary that pulls back the curtain on a world few viewers realized existed. Directed by Ruth Leitman, the film tracks down the women who built women’s professional wrestling during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s—years when the sport was a traveling circus of grit, glamour, and relentless improvisation.
The movie blends archival footage, personal scrapbooks, smoky arena clips, and road-worn memories into a portrait that’s less about championships and more about survival. Unlike polished modern productions, Lipstick & Dynamite moves with the messy charm of a story told by people who were actually there—women who fought in carnivals, trained in makeshift gyms, and endured the physical and emotional strain of performing night after night.
The documentary’s strength lies in the way it hands the narrative directly to its subjects. They recall bruises, rivalries, betrayals, triumphs, and the strange sense of family formed among people constantly on the move. What emerges is not just a sports story, but a rich recounting of American entertainment before it became a televised spectacle.
By reviving the voices of the first women to step into the ring, Lipstick & Dynamite offers more than nostalgia. It provides a corrective to a history often told only from the male perspective, and a reminder that before stadium lights and TV ratings, women were already fighting—literally and figuratively—for their place in the spotlight.
Synopsis
The documentary follows six pioneering wrestlers—The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, Gladys “Kill ’Em” Gillem, Penny Banner, Ida Mae Martinez, and Ella Waldek—as they revisit their careers and the unpredictable world they helped shape. Instead of a traditional timeline, the film unfolds through candid interviews, road trips, and pieces of archival footage, creating a collage of memories that reveal the reality behind early women’s wrestling.
Viewers are taken back to the carnival circuits where matches were often staged under tents, and where wrestlers doubled as performers, drivers, and hustle-experts just to keep the show running. These women describe training that was equal parts discipline and chaos, promoters who were both mentors and manipulators, and matches that blurred the line between sport and performance art.
The documentary highlights the stark contrast between public expectations and the performers’ lived experiences. For many, wrestling was a route to independence—financial, emotional, and personal—during an era that offered women few opportunities outside domestic life. But the path came with sacrifices: injuries that never healed, travel that kept families apart, and the ever-present possibility of being exploited.
As the story progresses, the women reunite at fan conventions, revisit old arenas, and confront memories they haven’t shared in decades. Their humor, resilience, and occasional heartbreak give the film its emotional center. Rather than presenting them as relics, the documentary treats them as storytellers reclaiming a legacy.
Gallery
Key Figures Featured in Lipstick & Dynamite
The Fabulous Moolah
One of the most influential and controversial figures in women’s wrestling, The Fabulous Moolah held the spotlight longer than nearly any wrestler of her era. Her legacy—dominating, powerful, and often debated—forms a central thread in the film.
Mae Young
Mae Young’s fierce spirit and bold humor made her one of the most unforgettable personalities in wrestling. The documentary highlights her grit, resilience, and the remarkable span of her career across multiple eras of the sport.
Penny Banner
With her balance of glamour and sharp athletic ability, Penny Banner brings a thoughtful voice to the documentary. She reflects on competition, family life, and the tightrope walk between public image and personal reality.
Ida Mae Martinez
Known for her polished technique and athletic precision, Ida Mae Martinez brings a quieter intensity to the film. Her journey reflects how wrestling shaped her long after she stepped away from the ring.
Ella Waldek
Ella Waldek’s story carries some of the film’s most emotional moments. Tough, direct, and reflective, she revisits the triumphs and tragedies that shaped both her career and the history of women’s wrestling.
Gladys “Kill ’Em” Gillem
A carnival fighter turned professional wrestler, Gladys “Kill ’Em” Gillem provides some of the documentary’s most memorable stories. Her sharp wit and larger-than-life personality deliver an unforgettable look at the unpredictable early years of the sport.
Critical Response
Reviewers praised the documentary for spotlighting pioneers who rarely received recognition despite shaping the foundations of women’s professional wrestling. Many highlighted its humor, emotional candor, and lively editing style. Some critics pointed to its scrapbook structure, yet most agreed the tone perfectly mirrors the unpredictable world these performers lived in.