Beware These Women! - Rose Loomis (NIAGARA)

Come on over baby, my husband is gone for the day.

Rose Loomis of the film Niagara, has to be considered one of film's most devious wives. As embodied by Marilyn Monroe, who is better regarded in frothy comedies and splashy musicals, Rose is one piece of work. It's not all her fault really. Her husband (played by the always solid Joseph Cotten) is abusive and jealous. Rose is dying to get out this marriage anyway she can. So while they are vacationing at Niagara Falls, Rose meets her lover and plan to do away with her husband. Rose is definitely sexy and dangerous and very manipulative. The way she handles her lover is manipulation 101. And the way she can anger her husband with a simple song is the work of a woman who knows what she's doing. I don't think too many men would turn Rose away and that's part of her charm. But I would always be on my guard, not knowing what this devilish woman is up to. Monroe is seductive and holds her own with Cotten and Jean Peters. She was never more beautiful and sexy than in this film. Monroe handles the dramatic moments pretty good too. But her Rose is one woman you definitely can't trust.

That's right baby, I've found someone else and you're history.

ROSE LOOMIS RATINGS:

SCHEMINGS - 5

MANIPULATIVE - 5
SMARTNESS - 3
TRUSTWORTHY - 0
DANGEROUS - 3

I'm not that bad, really...I'm just misunderstood.

Quote from Rose herself:

Sure. I'm meeting somebody, just anybody handy, as long as he's a man! How 'bout the ticket seller himself? I could grab him on the way out, or one of the kids with the phonograph. Anybody suits me. Take your pick.

Beware These Women! - Bad Girls video

Check out this great video of some of Hollywood's most dangerous and sexy women.

Beware These Women! - The Wicked Witch Of The West of THE WIZARD OF OZ

I'm not to late for the party am I?

Truly one of cinema's most despicable women came in the form of The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Granted, Dorothy did drop a house on her sister, so I guess I would be a little mad too and want some revenge. But it just seemed she enjoyed it a little too much. She was kind of gleeful in exacting her revenge against the young and innocent Dorothy. Just looking at her green complexion would give anyone the creeps. And then when you throw in that cackling voice, she becomes even worse. Her constant threats to Dorothy and Toto border on being really bizarre. And then let's not forget her really creepy flying monkeys. Those things gave me nightmares the first time I saw them. Actress Margaret Hamilton was phenomenal in actually two roles in the film: one as the witch and Miss Gulch, the neighbor to Dorothy's aunt and uncle. Miss Gulch is a more realistic character but has the same tendencies as the witch...and someone you don't want to mess with.


You see I told you this was the girl for you...now do you believe me?

THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST RATINGS:

SCHEMINGS - 4
MANIPULATIVE - 3
SMARTNESS - 2
TRUSTWORTHY - 0
DANGEROUS - 3



Quotes from The Witch herself:

Going so soon? I wouldn't hear of it. Why my little party's just beginning.



Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of spears! Thought you were pretty foxy, didn't you? Well! The last to go will see the first three go before her! And your mangy little dog, too!
 
Helping the little lady along are you, my fine gentlemen? Well stay away from her, or I'll stuff a mattress with you! And you, I'll make you into a beehive. Here Scarecrow, want to play ball?

BEWARE THESE WOMEN! - Rosa Klebb of FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

I'm not evil, just misunderstood.

When you think of most James Bond baddies, you think of hulking giants ala Jaws or Asian henchmen with a penchant for bowler hats that can decapitate you. So imagine this 5 foot woman named Rosa Klebb who actually comes pretty close to taking out Bond in the entertaining film From Russia With Love. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little but Lotte Lenya who potrayed the sadistic Klebb makes a memorable Bond villian and she is definitely one woman you don't want to mess with. After her opening scene with Spectre head Number One, where she thought she was about to be executed for her past failures, Klebb is hired for a sinister plot to kill James Bond 007 once and for all. She recruits the top agent Red Grant (menacingly played by Robert Shaw) as the muscle and the lovely Tatiana Romanova (played by Daniela Bianchi) to woo Bond. With all this coming at 007, you think he wouldn't have a chance. But he is Bond (played for the second time by Sean Connery) and he will find a way to defeat the bad guys.


Really, Mr. Bond...you have no chance with me at all

Anyway Rosa Klebb who despite her small frame is adept in hand to hand combat and her subtle manipulation of Tatiana borders on lesbanism. She convinces our young Tatiana that Bond is the enemy and she must do her assignment for the good of her country. Klebb scenes with Tatiana are a little disturbing as you can see her coming on to the young and naive girl. Klebb may be tender with Tatiana but she is strict with Grant as in one scene where she wants to see how tough he is, she punches him in the gut...with BRASS KNUCKLES! Ouch!

I do a little house cleaning on the side as well.

After Bond escapes his encounter with Grant, it falls to Klebb to take on our debonair agent. Klebb has a little blade that protrudes from the tip of her shoe with which she tries to take out Bond. Her almost spastic and uncontrollable lunges at Bond border on hysterical and deadly. Klebb goes down as one of the best Bond villians (male or female) ever. And Lenya was perfect. You would be surprised to know that despite a short film career of less than 10 films, including her Academy nominated performance as a Supporting actress in 1961's The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone with Vivien Leigh, Lenya was a successful and classically trained singer and dancer. But of course most film fans know her as Klebb. It is a truly wicked performance and one woman to definitely be wary of. Check out the scene below as she tells Tatiana her assignment in her own special way.



ROSA KLEBB Ratings:

SCHEMINGS - 5
MANIPULATIVE - 4
SMARTNESS - 4
TRUSTWORTHY - 1
TOUGHNESS - 3

Here are some choice quotes from Rosa Klebb herself:

Training is useful, but there is no substitute for experience.

Corporal, I have chosen you for an important assignment. It's purpose is to give false information to the enemy. If you complete it successfully, you will be promoted.