Gilded Lili: Lili St. Cyr and the Striptease Mystique (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Contemporary "stripper chic" and the "neo-burlesque movement" have spurred new interest in Lili St. Cyr, one of America's best-known postwar striptease artists, and this swift, engaging biography from freelance writer DiNardo is sure to satisfy, offering not only a portrait of the pioneering sex symbol but also a carefully researched history of the burlesque industry from the mid-1800s to its 20th century heyday. Most enthralling, however, is the delicious dossier of St. Cyr's lovers; although her official husband-count is six, her love affairs-with both men and women-may number into the hundreds. Ironically, she battled loneliness all her days, sinking into despair and heroin addiction toward the end of her life. The story of the burlesque queen with the physique of a goddess makes for great reading, and gossip hounds will delight in rumors that "Gilded Lili" taught Marilyn Monroe many of her best-known sexpot affectations. (Even more intriguing, sources claim that St. Cyr had a clandestine love affair with the blonde bombshell.) DiNardo shows admirable skepticism while reporting the salacious morsels long associated with St. Cyr, sorting the stage siren's real life from the legend that grew around her. Despite the rigors of fame, Lili proves strikingly self-aware-"Years of adulation...spoiled me,'" she admitted-making her as tragic and sympathetic a figure as any of the famously troubled stars who followed.
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Review

Contemporary "stripper chic" and the "neo-burlesque movement" have spurred new interest in Lili St. Cyr, one of America's best-known postwar striptease artists, and this swift, engaging biography from freelance writer DiNardo is sure to satisfy, offering not only a portrait of the pioneering sex symbol but also a carefully researched history of the burlesque industry from the mid-1800s to its 20th century heyday. Most enthralling, however, is the delicious dossier of St. Cyr's lovers; although her official husband-count is six, her love affairs--with both men and women--may number into the hundreds. Ironically, she battled loneliness all her days, sinking into despair and heroin addiction toward the end of her life. The story of the burlesque queen with the physique of a goddess makes for great reading, and gossip hounds will delight in rumors that "Gilded Lili" taught Marilyn Monroe many of her best-known sexpot affectations. (Even more intriguing, sources claim that St. Cyr had a clandestine love affair with the blonde bombshell.) DiNardo shows admirable skepticism while reporting the salacious morsels long associated with St. Cyr, sorting the stage siren's real life from the legend that grew around her. Despite the rigors of fame, Lili proves strikingly self-aware--"Years of adulation...spoiled me,'" she admitted--making her as tragic and sympathetic a figure as any of the famously troubled stars who followed. (Oct.) -- Publishers Weekly, November 19, 2007

Recent women's-studies interest in striptease has resuscitated the stars of the form during its mid-twentieth-century heyday, from Bettie Page to Gypsy Rose Lee. One of the biggest star strippers, tall, thin Lili St. Cyr, didn't just dance out of her clothing. She created imaginative variations (e.g., the reverse strip) and settings (bubble baths, Cleopatra and Salome portrayals, etc.) and spiced them with elements of ballet. She realized early that the greatest differences between headliners and chorus dancers were salary and the fact that the stars were usually naked, the chorines usually not. After that, her career path was clear. Although she performed nude for at least part of most appearances, much of her act seems tame today. In the 1940s and 1950s, however, her routines were sufficiently risque to cause legal trouble, and an audience member once sued her for lewdness (one wonders what he thought he was buying a ticket to see). Apparently the first book about St. Cyr since her autobiography, Ma Vie De Stripteaseuse (1982), this is an excellent show-biz study.--Mike Tribby -- Booklist, October 15, 2007

The most popular burlesque star throughout the Forties and Fifties, Lili St. Cyr influenced Marilyn Monroe, performed with Dean Martin, and danced well into her 50s. Author Kelly DiNardo recounts the fascinating life of "the queen of striptease" in the well-researched and superbly written Gilded Lili: Lili St. Cyr and the Striptease Mystique. -- Austin Chronicle, November 15, 20007

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books (October 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823088898
• ISBN-13: 978-0823088898
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,991 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gilded Lili, October 25, 2007

By	DLC - See all my reviews

Gilded Lili is the fascinating story of a woman, famous in her time, but little known today. Kelly DiNardo recounts her life in lively prose that traces the history of burlesque in America through one woman's experience. Lili St. Cyr's life was tragic in many respects, and could serve as a cautionary tale for many of today's current crop of celebrities. Ms. DiNardo's book put's into precise historical context Lili's struggle to remain independent, both personally and financially, in a time when women had few options to reach the level of success she managed to achieve and sustain for 20 years. Her choices, both good and bad, reflect the dramatically changing attitudes towards sex, women and relationships during the first half of the 20th century.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reasearch, June 9, 2008

By	Eileen Murphy (USA) - See all my reviews

It is very obvious that this author did a tremendous & thorough amount of research on this star of a by-gone era. The male social mores of the movie industry are illustrated, as is the role of women in that generation. An excellent story as well as a history of the time. It would make a terrific movie.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever, Thorough, Insightful and Compassionately Told , January 6, 2008

By	Joan Pham (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed the book--it is extremely well written, clever and tender in its narrative (particular in the end). It sheds so much light on only on Lili but on the context of the times she was living in. I also thought that Lili's life story and the surrounding growth and decline of burlesque was also well researched and referenced. My favorite part was perhaps the epilogue though, where I felt Kelly DiNardo really cast an appreciative, sincere light on what Lili achieved during her lifetime and applauded her for her authentic sensual humanity :)

I highly recommend this to all people who are looking for a thrilling, entertaining read with brains and empathy behind the narrative.