Presenting historical images that celebrate the Golden Age of Burlesque and Striptease..
Diane Raye
Couchita
Vintage promo photo dated from April of ‘43.. The reverse side of the photo mentions her scheduled appearance at ‘The L & L Café’ in downtown Chicago..
Dorothy Haller
This 5’6” girl from Minneapolis was a child actor on radio, as a 5 year-old. In her teens, she caught a strip show featuring Carrie Finnell; and decided to pursue a burlesque career.. She became a sensation at Chicago’s famed ‘Silver Frolics’ nightclub when a fellow dancer dared her to smoke the cigars onstage, that she’d been enjoying backstage. Dorothy wore a feathered bowler hat in her routine, and ended each performance by handing her cigar to a lucky audience member..
Vintage 50’s-era matchbook for ‘The ROSE BOWL’ nightclub, located somewhere in Chicago.. No address listed, but you could always try phoning: “Delaware - 2819”
Vintage photo dated from March of ‘64, features the marquee and entrance to Chicago’s ‘FOLLIES Theatre’ (once known as the ‘GEM Theatre’); located at 450 S. State Street..
Mae Brown
Vintage promo photo dated from the early 1940’s..
Evelyn West is featured on the cover of “Artist’s Photographer’s Special” — No. 3 magazine; published in Chicago during the mid-1950’s..
Though these pocket-sized digests featured legitimate information on Photography,— it seems clear the format was designed to skirt postal obscenity laws.. Also featured in this issue, are dancers: Sheila Ryan, Velma Fay, and Virginia Kinn..
Madelon Lewis
Lupita Peruyero
