Excerpts from the upcoming book to be released by McFarland & Co. in May 2001
To order this book type the title "Fantasy Femmes" in Barnes and Noble search in right side column.

Fantasy Femmes of Sixties Cinema: 
Interviews with 20 Actresses from Beach, Biker, Elvis, & Alienated Youth Movies
by Tom Lisanti

Beach movies, biker flicks, Elvis Presley musicals, and alienated youth films were just some of the genres aimed at young audiences during the swinging sixties. And though science fiction, fantasy, and horror films weren't exclusive to the decade, where else could you see talking marauding gorillas, giant rampaging teenagers, suave secret agents, and bikini-clad robots? 
Francine York (along with Pamela Tiffin, Diane McBain, Lana Wood, Linda Harrison, Celeste Yarnall, and Deanna Lund) are just some of the talented actresses interviewed for this book. On celluloid they could be found twisting on the shores of  Malibu, careening down the highway on a chopper, being serenaded by Elvis, and/or taking on the establishment. As cult fantasy figures, they contributed greatly to that period of filmmaking aimed at the teenage audience who frequented the drive-ins of America during the 1960's. 

After her appearance on Land of the Giants in 1970, Francine York told an interviewer, "I can't escape playing the big parts. Why can't I play the girl next door? It seems I'm always blowing up the world or something." Standing 5-foot-8 and measuring 38-23-35, it is no wonder the beautiful statuesque dark-haired Francine York was usually cast in the Amazonian roles. Francine made her film debut in the cult low-budget Secret File: Hollywood. She then progressed from featured roles in the early sixties opposite Jerry Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Elvis Presley to starring roles in such cult drive-in movies as Curse of the Swamp Creatures, Space Monster, and The Doll Squad. Always a pro, York had the ability to command and dominate the screen with her poise and confidence. And in a business that can be cruel, especially to older actresses, the self-
determined Francine continues to act today.

A few comments from Francine York: On her first movie Secret File: Hollywood
"We shot this in 1960 and it was my first chance to play a character on the big screen. I had never been in front of a camera really. And nobody knew! They had no idea because I hit my marks and knew my lines. When you look at this picture I look like a seasoned actress! I guess I was good right from the beginning." 

On Jerry Lewis whom she went on to work with six times:
"Jerry could be a little bit of a maniac sometimes. When he had someone like Frank Tashlin directing him, he'd fool around a 
lot. But when he was directing himself using Paramount's money he'd be more careful and serious. Watching him direct 
himself in The Nutty Professor was really something! When he called, 'Action!' he'd go from being Jerry the serious director 
to Jerry the actor playing the suave Buddy Love or the nerdy Prof. Kelp. It was amazing to watch." 

On working with Marlon Brando in the comedy Bedtime Story (1964) "Marlon Brando was adorable. But he was so dreadfully insecure and needed the producer there all of the time�sort of like Linus with his blanket. He had never done comedy before." 

Always a pro, Francine had the ability
to command and dominate the screen with her poise and confidence. And in a
business that can be cruel, especially to older actresses, the self-
determined Francine continues to act today.



To order this book type the title "Fantasy Femmes" in Barnes and Noble  or Amazon search in right side column.



http://www.tvparty.com/70-francine-york.html

Exclusive Interview with Francine

Filmfax Magazine latest edition on news stands now has
has a full article on "Francine York, Out of This World".
with lots of photos. Edition 81-82.

Francine in the movie "Family Man" 
with Nicolas Cage. Universal Studios.
Now available on DVD




Francine with Bob Dylan filming new 
"Love, Theft and Poker" Promo.