Christina Lane
Author photo by Karli Evans
Christina Lane is the author of three books, including the recent Phantom Lady: HollywoodProducer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock, which Molly Haskell has called "a revelation" and "a riveting read." In addition, she has written numerous articles on classical Hollywood stars, film history, and contemporary women directors. Chair of the cinematic arts department at the University of Miami, she makes frequent speaking appearances and has provided commentary to such media outlets as NPR, Air Mail, and the Daily Mail.
Twitter: @clane33
Instagram: @phantomladyjoanharrison
Are there particular films that have influenced your writing?
Rebecca, Suspicion, Gaslight, and that strain of gothic women's noirs from the 1940s. Not only are these films visually dramatic, but they experiment with female narration and point of view. They also reflect literary influences. Many are based on novels and plays by Daphne du Maurier, Charlotte Bronte, and Patrick Hamilton, while others are informed by the works of writers like Mary Shelley and Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
Is there a work of art that you love? Why? Have you ever visited it in person?
I really like the photography of Sally Mann. The reason for this is somewhat autobiographical. Like Mann, I was born in the small town of Lexington, Virginia, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (In fact, as a very young photographer, Mann took my baby pictures. Those remain a prized possession.) With a keen eye, she slows down time and captures the texture of rural life and the eclectic mix of people I remember as a child. My favorite photo, "Gorjus," features her two young daughters playing dress up near a pick-up truck.
Vacation druthers… City or Rural destination? Why?
Brief getaways, whether day trips or weekend jaunts, to neighboring beach communities are the best. One of the advantages to living in Miami is that destinations like the Florida Keys, Sanibel Island, and the towns of the Treasure Coast are not too far away. For my last birthday, my husband and son took me to Vero Beach, where we spent the day strolling the sand, digging around vintage shops, enjoying frozen custard, and taking our dog to the local dog park. That was a perfect birthday.
Do you have another artistic outlet in addition to your writing? Do you sew? Paint? Draw? Knit? Dance?
I started doing ballet when I was in kindergarten. In my teens, I danced pre-professionally and majored in dance in college, before switching to English. My first pair of pointe shoes are still hanging in my closet. In more recent years, attending recitals and performances has taken the place of actual dancing. Nevertheless, I still find that artistic form to be most inspiring to me. Right now, as the pandemic takes its toll on nonprofit organizations and the arts, I'm most concerned for dance companies, locally and nationally.
What piece of clothing tells the most interesting story about your life?
My research for Phantom Lady fueled my passion for the fashions of Joan Harrison's era. It's been great fun to hunt down sweaters, hats, bracelets, and earrings from the '40s and '50s. I recently found a sweet '40s dress, originally from Europe, that had been used as wardrobe on a Netflix TV series. I often ask myself, "Would Joan approve?" When I discovered this number, I thought, "Absolutely."
