The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters this Friday, and we're most excited to see Anne Hathaway kick some tail in her role as Catwoman. But Anne isn't the first actress to slink into that iconic leather jumpsuit. Women have been portraying Catwoman since the 1960s, and while we're sure Anne will be great, she's got some pretty big cat ears to fill. From Eartha Kitt to Michelle Pfeiffer, click through to see which ladies have played Batman's sexy sidekick.
The costume: Catwoman
Batman's sexy nemesis/paramour has been a sexy costume staple since the 1960s (when the lovely Eartha Kitt played her on TV), and she shows no signs of fading away. Plus, as long as you have an all-black outfit, cat ears, and a mask, she's a really easy character to put together. Do it this year, before everyone copies Anne Hathaway's Catwoman from next year's The Dark Knight Rises.
Hair and makeup: Black kitty cat ears, of course, and a black mask, with plenty of red lipstick and black eye shadow. Also, sexy hair is a must, preferably curls or big retro volume.
What to wear: Black leggings, black gloves, black boots, and a tight black motorcycle jacket or long-sleeved top.
Take it to the next level: Add Catwoman's "claws" by gluing or pressing on some super-long acrylic tips. You can even paint them red for extra feline flair.
Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Studio 54 was the place to be. During its heyday, the Manhattan discothèque was notorious for its jet-setting crowd of celebrities and socialites, and among other things, its reputation for drugs and illicit sexual liaisons among some of those in attendance. All hedonism aside, it was also an era where fluffy hair, lots of makeup, and sparkled accessories reigned supreme. Check out some of these trendy hair and makeup stylings, along with a few more shots of other famous disco-goers, now.
There's no mistaking Eartha Kitt's voice for anyone else's; it's the one that makes "Santa Baby" the world's sexiest Christmas song, and her trademark purr left an indelible mark on Broadway and lounge music alike. But it was her iconically sexy turn as Catwoman in the original television version of Batman that made her a household name. In becoming the ultimate comic book temptress, Eartha became a living (gorgeous) rebuttal to the bigotry and marginalization people of color were faced with in Hollywood and American culture in general. She was a model of the self-possessed, powerful woman, and her personal convictions were as amazing as the characters she played.
Most famously, Eartha, while at a White House luncheon, was asked by then-First Lady Lady Bird Johnson what she thought about the Vietnam War's progress. She responded very calmly, "You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. No wonder the kids rebel and take pot." There was enormous popular backlash against her, but she stood by her statement in the face of career derailment, threats, and pleas from her friends to retract. Such strength of principle and beauty are a rare combination, but Eartha had it. Orson Wells, who was madly in love with her despite her total disinterest in him, once called her the "most exciting woman in the world," and we wholeheartedly agree. Ms. Kitt, you were truly the cat's meow.
