The Radium Girls: A Cinematic Tribute to Courage and Justice-
In the early 20th century, a group of young women working in factories across the United States unknowingly became victims of corporate negligence, forever altering the landscape of workplace safety and labor rights. Their story, one of tragedy, resilience, and triumph, is powerfully depicted in the 2018 film Radium Girls, directed by Lydia Dean Pilcher and Ginny Mohler. This historical drama, starring Joey King and Abby Quinn, shines a light on the real-life “Radium Girls,” female factory workers who suffered radiation poisoning from painting clocks and radium watch dials with radium-based paint. Through compelling performances, a poignant narrative, and a focus on social justice, the film serves as both an educational tool and an emotional tribute to these unsung heroes. This post explores the historical context, thematic depth, cinematic execution, and lasting impact of Radium Girls, offering a comprehensive look at why this film deserves a wider audience.
How many of the Radium Girls died?
At least 50 of the women and girls known as the Radium Girls died due to radium poisoning by 1927, according to Wikipedia and NPR. This number continued to climb, with 50 deaths specifically cited by 1927.
Historical Context: The Real Radium Girls
The story of the Radium Girls begins in the 1910s and 1920s, following Marie and Pierre Curie’s discovery of radium in 1898. Radium was hailed as a miracle element, believed to have health benefits and used in everything from tonics to glow-in-the-dark watch dials. Factories in Orange, New Jersey, Ottawa, Illinois, and Waterbury, Connecticut employed young women, often teenagers, to paint watch dials with radium-based paint, marketed under names like “Undark.” These women were instructed to “lip-point” their brushes—licking the bristles to create a fine tip—unaware that they were ingesting deadly amounts of radioactive material.
The consequences were horrific. Workers began suffering from mysterious illnesses, including dental pain, loose teeth, jaw necrosis (known as “radium jaw”), anemia, bone fractures, and sterility. By 1927, over 50 women had died, and many others were debilitated. Dentists were among the first to notice the alarming symptoms, but companies like the United States Radium Corporation (USRC) denied the dangers, even as evidence mounted. The women’s fight for justice, led by figures like Grace Fryer, resulted in landmark lawsuits that exposed corporate cover-ups and led to significant changes in labor laws and radiation safety standards.
Plot Summary: A Tale of Awakening and Activism
Radium Girls (2018) focuses on sisters Bessie (Joey King) and Josephine “Jo” Cavallo (Abby Quinn), fictionalized composites inspired by real-life workers like Quinta McDonald and Albina Larice. Set in 1920s Orange, New Jersey, the film follows the sisters as they work at the American Radium factory, painting watch dials with the glowing paint. Bessie dreams of Hollywood stardom, while Jo aspires to become an archaeologist, but their aspirations are overshadowed by the grueling reality of factory work. The sisters, like their colleagues, are encouraged to lick their brushes to maintain precision, a practice that leads to devastating health consequences.
When Jo begins losing teeth and falling ill, Bessie grows suspicious. The death of their older sister, Mary, who also worked at the factory, raises further alarm. Bessie’s investigation, spurred by her budding romance with Walt, a Communist photographer, uncovers the truth: the radium paint is toxic, and American Radium has been concealing its dangers. With the help of Wiley Stephens (Cara Seymour), a representative from the Consumers League, Bessie rallies other workers to confront the company in court. The film culminates in a courtroom drama, highlighting the women’s courage as they face intimidation and a biased legal system. The epilogue notes that their 1928 case led to a $10,000 settlement per worker, the closure of the New Jersey factory, and lasting impacts on workplace safety laws.
Thematic Depth: Power, Injustice, and Female Empowerment
Radium Girls is more than a historical retelling; it’s a meditation on power dynamics, corporate greed, and the resilience of marginalized voices. The film underscores the era’s gender inequalities, depicting a time when women had little agency and were often dismissed by employers, doctors, and authorities. The Radium Girls’ story is a stark reminder of how corporations prioritized profit over human lives, with American Radium dragging out legal proceedings in hopes that sick workers would die before a verdict.
Bessie’s transformation from a dreamy teenager to a fierce advocate mirrors the radicalization of the real-life workers. Her journey reflects themes of female empowerment, as she and her fellow “Radium Girls” defy societal expectations to demand justice. The film also touches on broader social movements, such as women’s suffrage and early Communist activism, though some critics argue these subplots dilute the central narrative. The inclusion of Black characters, like photographer Etta (Susan Heyward), acknowledges the intersection of labor and civil rights, though their underdeveloped roles have been noted as a missed opportunity.
The film’s use of vintage footage, including clips of 1920s protests and cultural moments like the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, grounds the story in its historical moment. However, some reviews critique the overuse of these clips, arguing they disrupt the narrative flow. Nonetheless, they effectively highlight the era’s social unrest, drawing parallels to contemporary issues like corporate accountability and worker protections.
Cinematic Execution: Strengths and Shortcomings
Directed by Lydia Dean Pilcher, an Emmy-winning producer, and Ginny Mohler, a filmmaker with a background in archival research, Radium Girls benefits from a strong commitment to historical authenticity. The outdoor cinematography captures the radiant yet deceptive allure of the 1920s, and the period costumes and sets evoke the era’s aesthetic, despite some noted anachronisms, like 50-star flags and swing music.
Joey King delivers a standout performance as Bessie, balancing youthful naivety with growing resolve. Abby Quinn’s portrayal of Jo is equally compelling, conveying the physical and emotional toll of radiation poisoning. The supporting cast, including Cara Seymour, Scott Shepherd, and Colby Minifie, adds depth, though some characters, like the factory supervisors, are criticized for being one-dimensional.
Critics have mixed views on the film’s execution. The New York Times praises its emotional resonance and the leads’ performances, calling it a “worthy entry in the category of workers’ rights movies” akin to Silkwood. However, outlets like Roger Ebert and Third Coast Review argue that the script, written by Mohler and Brittany Shaw, feels formulaic and fails to fully capture the story’s emotional weight. The courtroom scenes lack the dramatic punch of classic legal dramas, and subplots, like Bessie’s romance and Communist ties, sometimes overshadow the central tragedy. Rotten Tomatoes reflects this divide, with some viewers lauding the film’s historical accuracy and others decrying its low budget and uneven pacing.
Lasting Impact: A Story That Resonates
Despite its flaws, Radium Girls succeeds in bringing a lesser-known chapter of history to the screen. The real Radium Girls’ legacy is profound: their lawsuits established precedents for workers’ rights to sue employers for occupational illnesses, influenced the creation of OSHA, and advanced radiation safety standards. The film’s epilogue notes that radium was used in watch painting until the 1970s and that a Geiger counter over a Radium Girl’s grave would click for over a thousand years, underscoring the enduring consequences of their exposure.
The story remains relevant today, raising questions about which modern “safe” products might later be revealed as harmful. As Common Sense Media suggests, the film encourages teens to consider corporate accountability and the importance of regulations. Posts on X echo this sentiment, with users like @_HistoryNerd noting that the Radium Girls’ suffering “saved millions of lives” by shaping labor laws.
Conclusion: A Call to Remember
Radium Girls is a poignant, if imperfect, tribute to the women who fought against overwhelming odds for justice. Its compelling performances, historical significance, and timely themes make it a valuable addition to the canon of films about workers’ rights. While it may not reach the cinematic heights of a Soderbergh thriller, its heart lies in its celebration of courage and solidarity. For those interested in diving deeper, Kate Moore’s book The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women (2016) and D.W. Gregory’s play Radium Girls (2000) offer further insight.
This film reminds us that progress often comes at a steep cost, paid by ordinary people who refuse to be silenced. As we navigate modern debates over workplace safety and corporate responsibility, the Radium Girls’ story urges us to remain vigilant, ensuring that no one else suffers in the shadows of progress.
Sources:
- Kate Moore’s The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women (2016) is a comprehensive book detailing the history of the Radium Girls, their lawsuits, and their impact on labor laws.
- D.W. Gregory’s Radium Girls (2000) – A play that dramatizes the events surrounding the Radium Girls, often used as a reference for adaptations.
- The New York Times – Film review of Radium Girls (2018), praising its emotional resonance and performances.
- Roger Ebert (rogerebert.com) – Review of Radium Girls, critiquing its formulaic script and pacing.
- Third Coast Review – Another review source that discusses the film’s strengths and shortcomings.
- Common Sense Media – Provides an analysis of the film’s educational value and suitability for younger audiences.
- X Posts – General sentiment and comments, such as from users like @_HistoryNerd, reflecting on the Radium Girls’ legacy (no specific posts were directly quoted, but these represent public discourse on X).
