Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

“Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” is a documentary written and directed by Alexander Dean. It is, as the title indicates, the story of the life of movie star and inventor, yes inventor, Hedy Lamarr. Born of 2 Jewish parents in Vienna in 1914, Ms. Lamarr soon became a film favorite there and later in America due in no small part to her incredible beauty. But unbeknownst to her audiences, she was, in her own right. also an inventor including the development of a frequency hopping system insuring safe communications. Her know-how and patent served as the basis, not only for FM transmissions but, more importantly, for

wi-fi,  GPS and Bluetooth technology. Originally aired as a PBS special, this 90 minute film is now being exhibited theatrically. No screenwriter could write a more compelling drama than the story of Ms. Lamarr’s talents, history and unjust treatment by the country she adopted and loved. Despite her loyalty and efforts resulting in the sale of millions of dollars of US Bonds during World War II, her patent was confiscated by the government who labelled her a hostile alien. I give this documentary 3 and ½ stars for it relates, in a truly jaw dropping manner  a story that needed to be told.