Movies - TV
The 22 Greatest Femme Fatales In Movie History
By FIONA UNDERHILL
Phyllis Dietrichson
Perhaps the prototype of the icy blonde femme fatale dressed in white is Barbara Stanwyck as Phyllis Dietrichson in “Double Indemnity.” One of the biggest pleasures of watching a femme fatale is knowing that the male protagonist is doomed the moment he meets her; there is no escape from her clutches.
Ellen Harland
In terms of the brunette leading ladies of the '40s, one of the most beautiful was Gene Tierney, and she effectively weaponized her beauty as a femme fatale. "Leave Her to Heaven" is an unusual noir for several reasons, including the fact that Tierney's Ellen's does not have financial motivations, but is instead merely obsessive and possessive.
Veda Pierce
Veda is an unusual femme fatale, as her prime victim isn't a man, but her own mother, the titular “Mildred Pierce.” Veda lies about being pregnant, blackmails, brings shame to her family by becoming a scantily-clad entertainer, and even has an affair with her mother's husband.
Kitty Collins
An important element of a great femme fatale is a great name, and Kitty Collins could be a Bond girl name — it's that good. In “The Killers,” Kitty is the ultimate self-centered femme fatale, who only cares about saving her own skin and doesn't mind who gets sacrificed along the way.
Cora Smith
A femme fatale needs to make a great entrance, often one that seals the fate of the protagonist. Once Lana Turner in “The Postman Always Rings Twice” emerges through a doorway dressed head-to-toe in white, in an outfit that shows plenty of leg, it's curtains for poor John Garfield.