How many of you out there remember the Golden Ages of roller derby in the 50’s, the 70’s or even during the depression in the 30’s. For me, coming from Philly, roller derby in the 70’s was a staple of entertainment – particularly for viewing on UHF television. And while roller derby and the Philadelphia Warriors were banking those turns and jamming their way into the hearts of the crowd, my dad was reminding me of derby back in the 50’s. But roller derby wasn’t just in Philly. It was reigning supreme across the country because as Drew Barrymore describes it, “you don’t have to be a certain body shape or ethnicity or economical background.” As things do, however, derby slowly faded only to be reborn in the late 90’s with a whole new look and feel. According to screenwriter and roller derby diva Shauna Cross aka Maggie Mayhem of the LA Derby Dolls, in today’s roller derby, “the personas and the characters are very over-the-top, sexual, flamboyant and burlesque. Continue reading MOVIE REVIEW: WHIP IT
