For years, the Austrian-born Hedy Lamarr was known as the hottest, most sophisticated lady in Tinseltown. But Alexandra Dean’s documentary, using archival footage, testimony, and some recently rediscovered interviews with Lamarr, reveals just how shallowly studio executives viewed their scandalous asset. When still a teenager, Hedy Lamarr was quite possibly the first person to simulate an orgasm onscreen. After fleeing a bad marriage in the Third Reich for the safety of Hollywood, she became frustrated with her pigeonholed status as a European sex symbol. But worse than the limitations on her acting career was the dismissal of her intellect. She collaborated on a frequency-hopping torpedo signaling system with the American composer George Antheil. While the Navy ignored their idea, their patent inspired technology essential to secure wifi, bluetooth, and military communications. Bombshell is an essential re-examination of the fascinating woman obscured and cheapened by Hollywood mystique. by Joule Zelman