Presenting historical images that celebrate the Golden Age of Burlesque and Striptease..
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..
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..
Evelyn West
A publicity still from the 1947 Burlesque film: “A NIGHT AT THE FOLLIES”; when Ms. West was still referred to, as: “The Original Hubba-Hubba Girl”.. This film was essentially a documentary recording of a performance at the ‘FOLLIES Theatre’; located in Los Angeles..
Tempest Storm
A great promotional photo of Tempest and “Her Bosom Pals”!..
A photographer surprises dancer Blaza Glory in her dressing room, backstage of the ‘FOLLIES Theatre’ in Los Angeles..
Jean Carroll (aka. Mary Henrici)
Vintage 50’s-era press photo features Jean performing with her husband: baggy-pants comic Bob Carney.. The pair excelled in Burly-Q comic sketches; and toured regularly together.. By ‘48, they’d bought a house in the San Fernando Valley; and stuck closer to home. But could still be found working nightclubs like the ‘COLONY Club’ in Gardena; as well as L.A’s ‘FOLLIES Theatre’, during the mid-1950’s..
Gaye Daye
A photoshoot taken in her ‘FOLLIES Theatre’ dressing room is featured in the pages of ‘SHEER’ (Vol.1-4) magazine; published in 1959..
Gilda performing onstage at the ‘Follies Theatre’ in Los Angeles, sometime in the 1950’s.. She was one of many performers discovered/trained by Lillian Hunt, the theatre’s proprietor/manager..
More about “Gilda”, here:
http://wangdangdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/02/shirley-jean-rickert-rip.html
Novita (aka. Rosie Mitchell)
In 1955, posing for a promo photo on the stage of the ‘FOLLIES Theatre’ in Los Angeles..
Image courtesy of Novita, The Pixie of Burlesque..
Vintage 40’s-era photo featuring the chorus line onstage at the ‘FOLLIES Theatre’ in downtown Los Angeles.. Can’t identify any of the specific dancers, but the stage details are definitely familiar..
