As cute as lace pants…"" An alluring blonde with a uniquely seductive voice, Claire Trevor is chiefly remembered now for her many femme fatale roles in a series of iconic noirs such as Murder, My Sweet (1944) and Raw Deal (1948). However she was a versatile actress not trapped by genre who brought a rare emotional depth to her art. She was moving as the outcast prostitute Dallas in John Ford’s classic Stagecoach (1939) but was effective in such diverse roles as the ambitious tennis mother in Hard, Fast and Beautiful (1951), or as the embittered landowner’s wife in William Wellman’s overlooked gem My Man and I (1952). Four times Oscar nominated, she deservedly won for her portrayal of broken down gangster’s moll Gaye Dawn in Key Largo (1948), humiliated into singing for a drink in one of the most memorable scenes of classic cinema.

This book provides a comprehensive discussion of her life and career. My aim is to generate renewed interest in Claire Trevor and to elevate her to her deserved position as one of the finest actresses of her generation.