Get to Know the Woman behind Cruella de Vil at Dr. Lona Bailey’s Author Talk!

Published on March 7, 2023.

The Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library is proud to present an Author Talk with Manchester local Dr. Lona Bailey, who will be presenting her new book “The Voice of Villainy: The Betty Lou Gerson Story.”

Born in Chattanooga, Gerson is most famous for providing the iconic voice to the original Cruella de Vil in Disney’s One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), but also had a prolific career in film, television, and radio.

From Dr. Bailey’s synopsis:

“The great irony of Betty’s story is that while her voice frightened audiences through nearly all mediums, off mic, she was in fact no villainess at all. Betty traversed through some of the most volatile eras in American history, while overcoming many personal tragedies of her own. She was among twentieth century entertainment pioneers and an iconic voice of feminism.
Learn the compelling story of Betty Lou Gerson as the “voice of villainy.””

The event will be open to all ages on Saturday, April 1st, at 10 AM in the Library’s Community Room.

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