BURLESK: As You Like It!

Vintage photo from 1952, shows Sally Rand waiting (with her baggage) for a train in Memphis, Tennessee.. This was a stop on the Carnival circuit, where she presented her travelling Burlesque show, entitled: “Happy Holiday”..

Chloe Carter      aka. “The Original Sweater Girl”..

Vintage 50’s-era candid photo captures Ms. Carter presenting herself to prospective audience members, from the Bally stage of an unidentified carnival girlie-show..

Detail from a 60’s-era edition of ‘MADBALL’ — by Fredric Brown

Cover Artwork  — Mitchell Hooks

A vintage 50’s-era carnival show poster featuring: Tempest Storm and her “Sizzling TEASERAMA Revue”..

Large crowds at the ‘56 edition of the ‘Canadian National Exhibition’ gather to hear the barker’s spiel for the ‘STRIPORAMA’ girlie-revue; featuring top headliner: Jennie Lee..

Toronto mayor Nathan Phillips inadvertently gave tremendous free publicity to the exhibit, by complaining to local newspapers about the show’s “nudity and suggestiveness..” As a result, intrigued readers flocked to the CNE to find out firsthand what all the fuss was about?..

Anita Marie

By the mid-1950’s, Anita would re-invent her persona as: Siska.. And begin headlining on the Carnival circuit, with a Feature act that had a Macaw helping to strip off her costume!

Royal American Shows - 1947

Vintage formal portrait photo featuring the full cast of the 1947 ‘Royal American Shows’ travelling tent show.. ‘Royal American’ was one of the longest-running Carnival circuit burlesque shows; and competed directly with the ‘James E. Strates Shows’ for attention at State Fairs & Exhibitions around North America. Most shows included a Feature stripper, a half-dozen chorus girls, a handful of comedians, and a few dance duos and singers..