The Betty Lou Gerson Story
Nonfiction
Date Published: January 28, 2023
She voiced one of Disney’s most infamous villainesses. With her husky timbre and most unforgettable cackle, Betty Lou Gerson terrified an entire generation as Disney’s original “Cruella de Vil” in One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961). Betty used her whiskey-soaked voice to give us an innovative portrait of elegant villainy beyond entertainment’s stereotypical “old hag” antagonists in radio, film, and television. She had a prolific radio career in both Chicago and Hollywood before the silver screen and was featured in many popular television series in the 1950s and 1960s such as Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Hazel. Though “Cruella” is perhaps her most recognized role, she also performed in other beloved film classics including Cinderella (1950), Mary Poppins (1964), and Cats Don’t Dance (1997).
The great irony of Betty’s story is that while her voice frightened audiences through nearly all mediums, off mic, she was in fact no villainess at all. Betty traversed through some of the most volatile eras in American history, while overcoming many personal tragedies of her own. She was among twentieth century entertainment pioneers and an iconic voice of feminism.
Interview with Lona Bailey, PhD
Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do.
Lona Bailey is a Golden Age of Hollywood researcher and writer of "Uncredited: The Life and Career of Actress Virginia Gregg." As a PhD and former therapist, Lona is passionate about telling the untold stories of women who perhaps weren’t finished using their own voices during their earthly journeys. Lona is a mother of three with a balanced perspective on the multidimensional elements involved in legacy-maintenance with particular interest in the preservation efforts of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Lona’s biographic works are delicately researched and written with a candid and fair pen and plenty of room for levity. Old Hollywood holds millions of secrets in its gothic sensationalism; with its dark secrets, come just as many shimmering triumphs– and Old Hollywood wouldn’t be as we know it without both.
Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing processes?
Like many millennials, I grew up with Betty Lou Gerson's vocal portrayal of "Cruella de Vil" in Disney's classic One Hundred and One Dalmatians. About two years ago when I was still writing my first biography, my oldest daughter became very interested in the film and watched it incessantly for a few weeks. In reconnecting with the classic I became interested in researching the talent behind the fabulous husky villainess. In reading about Betty Lou Gerson I discovered she was born just down the road from my own hometown. Her history and career intrigued me and when I learned she did not yet have a biography, I thought what fun it would be to research and write hers.
Tell me about your Book (that you want to talk about):
She voiced one of Disney’s most infamous villainesses. With her husky timbre and most unforgettable cackle, Betty Lou Gerson terrified an entire generation as Disney’s original “Cruella de Vil” in One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Betty used her whiskey-soaked voice to give us an innovative portrait of elegant villainy beyond entertainment’s stereotypical “old hag” antagonists in radio, film, and television. She had a prolific radio career in both Chicago and Hollywood before the silver screen and was featured in many popular television series in the 1950s and 1960s such as Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Hazel. Though “Cruella” is her most notable role, she also performed in other beloved film classics including Cinderella (1950), Mary Poppins (1964), and Cats Don’t Dance (1997).
The great irony of Betty’s story is that while her voice frightened audiences through nearly all mediums, off mic, she was in fact no villainess at all. Betty traversed through some of the most volatile eras in American history, while overcoming many personal tragedies of her own. She was among twentieth century entertainment pioneers and an iconic voice of feminism. Learn the compelling story of Betty Lou Gerson as the voice of villainy.
Book Genre:
Celebrity biography/Nonfiction
Appropriate age for readers:
High school +
Any message for our readers:
The remarkable story behind one of the most unforgettable villainesses in history has never before been told until Cruella’s Voice of Villainy: The Betty Lou Gerson Story. Cruella de Vil is timeless in her unwavering popularity with nearly all generations since her film debut in 1961. This book is the first look at the lady behind the fabulously evil voice the world fell in love-hate with.
Any hashtags you would want me to use while promoting your book and Interview:
#cruella #101dalmatians
5 or more quotes/oneliners from your book:
"By-and-large, “Cruella” is Betty Lou Gerson’s wicked animated alter-ego."
"The legacy of “Cruella de Vil” lives on in part, because of the unforgettable voice of villainy provided by a culmination of Birmingham, Chicago, and Hollywood in the “whiskey-soaked” vocal cords of Betty Lou Gerson."
"In just a few short years, Betty had jumped from soap queen to the voice of villainy."
"'Pardon me Miss, ain’t you Miss Bankhead?' When inflamed, Betty’s sinuses mimicked Tallulah better than she ever intentionally could."
"'No sir, there is no reason whatever to suspect foul play. It was simply an accident. An unthinkable accident. He simply fell from the train, and that’s all there is to it,' Jennie said to the investigator with a quivering lip she tried to mask with a handkerchief."
Story (that you want to highlight)
There's not really a particular story that I can think of to highlight, but some interesting trivia about Betty relates her extensive radio career prior to her role as "Cruella." She never realized the extent to which the character became so significant in media and pop culture. To her, "Cruella" was just another enjoyable role. I believe Betty went to her grave never fully understanding what a legendary figure she was responsible for bringing to life.
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Dr. Lona Bailey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lona-b-156b751ab/
About the Author
Lona Bailey is a Golden Age of Hollywood researcher and writer of "Uncredited: The Life and Career of Actress Virginia Gregg" and "The Voice of Villainy: The Betty Lou Gerson Story."
As a PhD and former therapist, Lona is passionate about telling the untold #storiesofwomen who perhaps weren’t finished using their own voices during their earthly journeys. Lona is a mother of three with a balanced perspective on the multidimensional elements involved in legacy-maintenance with particular interest in the preservation efforts of the #GoldenAgeofHollywood. Lona’s #biographic works are delicately researched and written with a candid and fair pen and plenty of room for levity.
#OldHollywood holds millions of secrets in its gothic #sensationalism; with its #darksecrets, come just as many shimmering triumphs– and Old Hollywood wouldn’t be as we know it without both.
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