Belle: The Life And Writings Of Belle Case Lafollette; Patchwork: A Kaleidoscope Of Quilts

These two works by writer/producer Jocelyn Riley are similar to her interesting Zona Gale: Her Life and Writings (reviewed Sept. 1989). Combining voiceover narration of excerpts from the works of women writers with video-enhanced still pictures, Riley creates lovely atmospheric pieces. In Belle: The Life and Writings of Belle Case LaFollette, viewers get a glimpse into the life of a late-19th century writer/activist. Born in Wisconsin, in 1859, Belle married in 1881, and went to law school--becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin's Law School. It was one of many triumphs. Later, as a contributing editor to LaFollette's Magazine, a periodical she and her husband engineered, she would say: "If I had my way, typewriters would be as common as sewing machines." This is a nicely done portrait of a woman whose interests ranged from equal suffrage to the need for physical exercise. Patchwork: A Kaleidoscope of Quilts draws from a number of literary sources (including Riley's own Crazy Quilt) to help explain the ways of women and quilting to all and sundry. Many historical quilts and anecdotes are used in this informal overview. In the old days, as one writer puts it: "It was as necessary to know how to sew, as how to eat." For many of the women, the quilts became the equivalent of family albums--with every panel telling a story. An appealing film on a perennially popular subject. Both titles are recommended. (Available from: Jocelyn Riley, P.O. Box 5264, Madison, WI 53705.)