Top Ten Films featuring Libraries, Librarians and the Book Arts
Compiled by Steven J. Schmidt
IUPUI University Library

Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag, The (Touchstone, 1992) Rated: PG-13

Director: Allan Moyle.
Screenplay: Grace Cary Bickley.
Cast: Penelope Ann Miller, Eric Thal, Alfre Woodard, Julianne Moore, William Forsythe, Cathy Moriarty, Faye Grant.

Storyline: Betty Lou Perkins (Miller) is a mousey small town librarian who is married to a police detective (Thal) who takes her for granted. After a gangland murder in town, Betty Lou finds the murder weapon, but can't get anyone to pay attention to her when she tries to tell them about it. In a fit of frustration, she fires the gun in a restroom and is taken to the police station where she confesses to the murder. In the cellblock, two hookers offer Betty Lou some advice on how to assert herself more. Her husband is not pleased when he is suspended from the force, especially when the gangster who ordered the murder starts getting interested in her.

Library focus: This film presents two distinctly different versions of librarians. In the opening sequence, Betty Lou Perkins is telling a story to a bunch of preschoolers, her boss comes in to quiet them down, passing out books and telling them to read quietly. According to her, the goal of a library book is to return to the shelf unmutilated. Betty Lou presents the flip side at the library open house when she promises to show the people sex, adventure, crime, and romance. She reaches into her purse and pulls out her library card. Her personal life may have problems, but as a librarian, Betty Lou is very much alive and involved. The library open house scene is a wonderful teaser for libraries everywhere.

Image copyright of Internet Movie Database.

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