Bello mag #49

KILLER BEAUTIES: TOP 8 FILM FEMME FATALES WORDS BY ADRIENNE MCILVAINE A classic figure stretching back to Roman and Greek times (remember the Sirens?), the femme fatale has always harbored mystery and drama underneath her alluring and sexy facade.

Her combination of irresistible charm and striking beauty has led many a man to his doom. Here are eight of the deadliest, most calculating and gorgeous femme fatales to grace the big screen.

Jessica Rabbit, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”

With her vavavoom figure, luxurious hair, and unabashed love for screwloose Roger, the loyal Jessica Rabbit in 1988’s halfanimated, halflive action comedy was a clever sendup of the scheming femme fatale. She's not bad, she's just drawn that way.

Faye Dunaway, “Chinatown” One of the hallmarks of the femme fatale is you can never pin them down. Dunaway's mysterious, intriguing turn as the beautiful but damaged Evelyn Mulwray is just as devastating now as it was in 1974.

Sharon Stone, “Basic Instinct” Stone's infamous legcrossing scene in Paul Verhoeven's 1992 Oscar nominated drama was the ultimate femme fatale move her icy beauty and bold personality blinded men from her danger.

Lana Turner, “The Postman Always Rings Twice” As the gorgeous but unhappy wife of a much older man, Turner was all slippery charm and sly cunning in this 1946 noir. Her feminine wiles may have been enough to seduce a lonely drifter, but they weren’t enough to stave off her inevitable downfall.

Kim Basinger, “L.A. Confidential” An adaptation of author James Ellroy’s novel about political corruption and organized crime in ‘50s Los Angeles, the 1997 film became a highpoint of Basinger’s career when she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a sultry prostitute whose resemblance to Veronica Lake is no accident.

Barbara Stanwyck, “Double Indemnity” Made in 1944, “Double Indemnity” is arguably one of the finest filmnoir films ever made, and Stanwyck’s coldly duplicitous, multiplemurdering housewife is one of the best (and worstfemme fatales ever.

Kathleen Turner, “Body Heat” Partially inspired by “Double Indemnity”, this steamy 1981 drama served up a coolly confident Kathleen Turner as the sexually charged, murderously motivated Matty Walker. Of course William Hurt couldn't resist her, and neither can we.

Natasha Henstridge, “Species” A sleeper scifi hit from 1995, “Species” follows the beautiful but deadly alien Sil as she attempts to seduce men into impregnating her, thereby allowing her alien race to take over Earth. Henstridge may not have a lot of lines but she doesn’t need them; Sil is smart enough to let her body do the talking.

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