Story: Martial arts

'The hooligan and the lady' (2nd of 2)

The life and adventures of Miss Florence Le Mar – the world's most famous jiu-jitsu girl was published in New Zealand in 1913. The book described techniques used by 'Flossie' Le Mar to overcome male attackers, which she demonstrated throughout New Zealand and Australia with her husband, Joe Gardiner. The highlight of their act, 'The hooligan and the lady', is also the title of a 2011 play by Hawke's Bay writer and self-defence teacher Pauleen Hayes. It includes this short film, made in the style of an Edwardian-era silent movie and based closely on techniques in Le Mar's book.

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How to cite this page:

Bronwyn Dalley, 'Martial arts - Martial arts to the 1970s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/39036/the-hooligan-and-the-lady (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Bronwyn Dalley, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 27 Jan 2015