Lola Montez - A Feminist before her Time

I was asked to "dust off" an old screenplay and bring it to a CFAA table read last week, so I brought in my biopic of notorious mid-1800s dancer Lola Montez, which I briefly marketed around Hollywood before going on to other things. The readers got a kick out of her story. As well they should!

In her day, Lola Montez was the most notorious woman in the world. She scandalized the stages of Europe with her "spider dance," and was the lover of Franz Liszt and Alexander Dumas among others, before King Ludwig I of Bavaria was forced to abdicate because of his crazy love for her. Then she brought her tempestuous ways to Gold Rush California, where she kept a bear for a pet and taught Lotta Crabtree to dance for the miners.

Along with all this, she was politically involved. Her troubles in Bavaria were not just because of her "bad" reputation, but because she insisted the king provide more freedoms for his people, including freedom of religion, the press, and assembly. You go, Lola!

It's surprising more people don't know about this fascinating character. Do yourself a favor and look her up. Love her or hate her, she was a force to be reckoned with!