Fragile females

Stunt women and the slapstick comedians of silent cinema were at the forefront of redefining the modern woman, proving that the ‘weaker sex’ could perform daring physical feats just as well as any man. Some of the earliest stars to prove their prowess were Helen Holmes and Helen Gibson. In The Hazards of Helen (1914-17), they leaped off buildings and chased down train robbers, saving the day and dispelling the myth of female fragility. You can see their death-defying stunts on the screen to your left, which also features Australian-born Bollywood superhero, Mary Ann Evans.

The glamorous whip-cracking star featured in these posters lit up screens as Fearless Nadia, taming lions and fighting men on moving trains. In her breakout 1935 role as masked crusader Hunterwali, she fought injustice at a time when colonial British rule was being challenged in the 1930s. Her character was an Indian princess who gives up her status and privilege to fight for the people. But Hunterwali could only be played by a White woman as Muslim and Hindi women were still prevented from playing physical roles.

Through their daredevil stunts, these women helped establish a cinematic tradition that stretches from slapstick comedians to action heroes.