While women's fighting was pretty much an underground sport in the US, in Europe it had flourished since the 1920's. It had its greatest popularity in Weimar Germany and several women featured
in the "American" section got their start in Europe, among them Marlene Dietrich and Hedy Lamarr in Germany, Claudette Colbert in France and the Gabor Sisters in Hungary while Greta Garbo led the way for Scandanavians like Olympic figure skater Sonja Henie in the 40's and later, Anita Ekberg.
This section of the album is devoted to the European women of the 1940's and 1950's who would have been involved with Mitzi or the others of her era. (Suggestions for additional fighters or photos would be appreciated if you have them).
We're still working on this section. Here's how the women were ranked at the time of our story (mid-1950's). All of these women will be featured here, as well as many others from the Euro-fight scene of that era.
EUROPEAN LEAGUE
(The title was split when the fabled champion Anna Magnani retired undefeated in 1953 at the age of 45!)
SOUTHERN DIVISION:
Gina Lollabrigida (1927) Italy (Champion) She was third in the 1947 Miss Italy competition.
Sophia Loren (1934) Italy #1 challenger to Lollabrigida
Silvana Mangano (1930) Italy. #2 challenger. Competed in 1947 Miss Italia contest. Married Dino De Laurentis in 1950
Melina Mercouri (1925) Greece #3 challenger - Just made her film debut. Very promising career as an actress as well as a fighter!
Claudia Cardinale (1939) Italy #5 challenger Up and coming youngster
Romy Schneider (1938) Austria (a 3 yr film veteran in 56!)
Elke Sommer (1940) Germany Only 5'2" tall, but in terrific shape at just 15 yrs. old - a force to be reckoned with in 1955!
Ava Gardner (1922) 5'6" 36-20-36 Former Hollywood star now lives in Spain since her divorce from Sinatra.
NORTHERN DIVISION:
Denise Darcel (1925) France (Champion)
Brigitte Bardot (1934) France Sexpot - already an international sensation.
Martine Carol (1920) France Very Sexy blonde
Joan Collins (1933) Britain A very hot young actress - much is expected of her in the coming years.
Anita Ekberg (1931) Miss Sweden 1950 - big and rough!
Gia Scala (1934) England - despite the name.
Leslie Caron (1931) France - Living in England
Dana Wynter (1930) England - sultry brunette who can fight
Shirley Ann Field (1938) England - making her debut this year
The women shown are listed in the same order as shown in the standings (above) to make it a bit easier to find your favorites. A few comments about each is below her picture.
Southern Division
Gina Lollabrigida (shown on the left as champion) is the most formidable femfighter in Europe at this time. She beat Melina Mercouri in a brutal battle to win the Southern Title after Anna Mangani retired. Her rivalry with Sophia Loren and French sex-kitten Bardot guarantee fight fans there won't be any lack of opponents for years to come.
Sophia Loren is said (by those who don't favour Bardot or Lollabrigida) to be the sexiest woman in the world. Certainly, she's proven to be one of the best fighters. Rumors are neither her manager nor Lollabrigida's wants to sign them for the fight everyone wants, matching those two strong-willed and powerful women. But it's just a matter of time ... and when it happens, the whole world will be watching.
Beautiful, young and sexy Sylvana Mangano is being pushed hard by a rich "patron" who loves to see his woman fight. She's being coached by ex-champion Anna Magnani, so don't be surprised to see this gorgeous young woman in the ring for a championship "go" at "La Lolla" soon.
Already a ring-wise veteran, Melina Mercouri has - in her mid-30's - caught the fancy of both European fight fans and film makers. It took a near upset of Gina Lollabrigida in the finals of the elimination tournament but her performance in the ring is attracting attention to her talent as an actress as well. She was still recovering from the brutal beating at the hands of Lollabrigida when she lost to Sophia Loren recently (which explains her current fourth place.) Everyone expects to see her in the ring for another championship challenge very soon.
One of four promising young fighters, Marisa Pavan is the twin sister of actress Pier Angeli. She was chosen one of the most beautiful teenagers in Europe last year. This year, she has been nominated for "Rookie of the Year" in the European League.
Claudia Cardinale is too pretty NOT to be a major international movie star in the near future. The young girl is also a very strong, very well-conditioned and terribly determined fighter, so when she steps into the ring her opponents had better beware.
Romy Schneider (shown here stripped and in pain following her upset loss to Cardinale) is still a relative unknown but with her size and determination no one will be surprised if she is at the top of the rankings in a short time.
Just fifteen this year and standing barely 5'3", Elke Sommer of Germany has been described as "too young, too short and too cute" to ever become a serious fighter. She reminds everyone that's what the experts said about Debbie Reynolds in the US and now she's one of the top rated fighters in the New World.
Northern Division
Not only is Denise Darcel the toughest woman in Northern Europe, she's also the only woman in Europe to have beaten ex-champ Anna Magnani (in a non-sanctioned private fight for a rich Greek shipping tycoon on his private island.)
Justly famous throughout the world as a "sex kitten," Brigette Bardot also has a huge following as a fighter. She has beaten all the top women in Europe at one time or another. She was upset by wily veteran Denise Darcel in the finals of the Northern Division tournament last year after the European League split into two divisions but she's vowed to get revenge in their next meeting.
Martine Carol is a relative unknown outside her native France, but those who follow fighting know the tough veteran and respect her for her ability to take pain and dish out punishment to her opponents.
Just after turning 18, Joan Collins signed a contract to join the European League. She hopes fighting will give her a way out of the poverty of her youth. A lovely girl, this dark-haired beauty is destined to become a major star on the world stage.
Anita Ekberg was a relatively unknown beauty contest winner (Miss Sweden 1950) when she joined the European circuit. She quickly made an impression on the fans with her "bountiful" bosom, but her impact on competitors was due to her size, weight and her fast developing ring skill.
Gia Scala is British, despite her Italian-sounding name, and a darkly erotic beauty. Reviews of her first matches (losses to Lollabrigida and Wynter) indicate that, with some experience, she'll be a force to be reckoned with.
Leslie Caron is a dancer and it shows in the ring when the youngster uses those strong legs as lethal weapons against her opponents. Still learning, she is a force to be reckoned with in spite of her dimunitive build.
Brunette Dana Wynter (shown here in one of those mannish suits she usually wears) is one of the most popular fighters in Britain. She recently contracted to appear in two "major" films which she hopes will launch her on the road to film stardom.
Shirley Ann Field is too good looking to leave off this list. Look at her and say she doesn't belong here. Recently beaten soundly by Dana Wynter, however, she is looking for the big win she needs to be taken seriously again as a fighter. Anyway, we'll keep her on the list because we love the picture.
