Includes bibliographical references and index.

The 1954 motion picture Creature from the Black Lagoon featured a monster designed by a woman, Milicent Patrick. But Patrick's contribution was claimed by a jealous male colleague, her career was cut short, and she soon after disappeared from film history. Working in the horror film industry, O'Meara set out to right the wrong and in the process discovered the full, fascinating story of an ambitious, artistic woman ahead of her time. Patrick began her career as one of Disney's first female animators, and O'Meara establishes Patrick in her rightful place in film history while calling out a Hollywood culture where little has changed. -- adapted from jacket.