Customer Reviews

The Queens of Burlesque: Vintage Photographs of the 1940s and 1950s (Schiffer Pictorial Essay)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr.Rothe has lovingly put together the photographs of burlesque stars and forgotten performers that would have appeared in publicity packages, coming attractions posters,lobby cards, and advertisments fifty years ago. Not all of the women are conventionally beautiful, and their costumes would be considered less than risque by current standards. These are women that time and mainstream history have ignored.The exsistence of their images is important: for feminists, for people interested in the history of costume, for modern consumers of sex work, for those that think of Doris Day as being the penultimate 1950's woman. Enjoy this piece of work and contemplate where these lovely ladies are now...

Marvelous collection of vintage photos assembled into a lovely coffee-table book. It's difficult to remember that most of these photos were taken a half century ago because the quality is so spectacular.

Suggested companion reading:
"The Bare Truth" - Len Rothe
"Gypsy" - Gypsy Rose Lee
"Minsky's Burlesque" - Morton Minsky
"My G-String Mother" - Erik Lee Preminger
"This Was Burlesque" - Ann Corio

As a former dancer I enjoyed the pictures and shared them with a friend who was an exotic dancer of that time. We both enjoyed the book very much. Lots of good research done here. I have tried to find pictures of Dreamy Darnell 1950-53 and can not find a thing, so I know it can take frustrating long hours of work to find these old pictures. Thanks

It's implied in the book's title, and as a pictorial essay this is a really cute book. The pictures are a good quality and there is good variety.

I recommend you getting this book in conjugation with the other book by Len Rothe. It is fun and informative.

Fantastic Coffee Table book , a short intro and onto the girls who are just stunning.
This is also a 'in your face book' to the current main stream fashion industry who has forgotten the diversity the female body can offer as a feast for the eyes in all shapes colours and sizes.
For aspiring Burlesque models and dancers there is loads of inspiration.
Lost 1 star because Betty Page, Mamie Van Doren and Betty Brosmer are not in this book.

Great book full of beautiful photographs of the true, original queens of burlesque. Great for old fans, as well as people interested in knowing about the history of this art form. So happy I found this book!

This is an amazing collection of promo photos of burlesque performers of the 40's and 50's. It is also an excellent reference for costume designers as was seen in the new movie "Burlesque" when Christina Aquilera's character had this book in her hotel room scene, as she prepares for her new job. It is refreshing to see "real looking" women in this glamourous profession, much different than today's cloned Barbie dolls. Loaded with over 100 big photos, there is just enough historical information to keep it real. You will also want to get "The Bare Truth: Stars of Burlesque From the '40s and '50s" also by Len Rothe, to complete your collection.