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Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story 12 rating

Fascinating documentary about the glamorous Hollywood star who was also a genius inventor of military technology.

Documentary 2017 89 mins

Director: Alexandra Dean

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Overview

Hedy Lamarr was one of the leading female stars of 1940s Hollywood, but few would be aware of her off-screen accomplishments as an inventor of frequency hopping during WWII, which later became the basis for wi-fi and bluetooth. Alexandra Dean’s documentary charts Lamarr’s fascinating life, from her youth in Vienna, the pivotal transatlantic journey that landed her a lucrative contract with MGM, her struggles for more challenging roles, to her determination to contribute to the war effort.

Through her own words and those close to her (and with her letters voiced by Diane Kruger), Bombshell paints a picture of a strong woman who defied expectation and earned her place in the history of both Hollywood and science. Supported by The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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