Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 792
EAN num: 9781888054941
ISBN number: 1888054948
Label: Collectors Press
Manufacturer: Collectors Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 176
Printing Date: 2004-09
Publishing house: Collectors Press
Sale Popularity Level: 187821
Studio: Collectors Press
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Product Description:
They were temptresses of tease and specialists in seduction—bawdy and beautiful burlesque performers. Expertly twirling their tassels, these sexy stage professionals took cues from their vaudeville and variety show predecessors. Remembering the time when a striptease was a theatrical act complete with humor, live music, and skits, BURLESQUE: LEGENDARY STARS OF THE STAGE captures the spirit of the genre with photographs, interviews, and histories. The book is a tribute to the performers who shimmied and shook for countless crowds while striving to maintain a high level of artistry and professionalism. Author Jane Briggeman is the founder of the Golden Days of Burlesque Historical Society, whose mission is to unite former stage performers and promote the story of their craft. Spurred by the deaths of some of burlesque’s greatest names, BURLESQUE captures the heart of this unique industry.
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Rated by buyers -
As another reviewer already said, this book is obviously a labor of love. The author went to a tremendous of amount of effort to get interviews from dozens of the surviving Burlesque trooper, whose histories and stories are engagingly told in this book.
I happened to see the book in a used bookstore, and picked it up just for fun. I didn't know anything about the subject, and was surprised at how much there was to know. For example, one of the women points out that back in those days, they didn't have the elaborate production numbers that they do now, and so just simple talent had to carry the brunt of the show, and she's generous (unfortunately I don't recall her name) in saying that the whole cast was just packed with talent and everyone in the show was usually very talented, so that usually wasn't a problem.
I was so naive about the subject that I didn't even know that women were appearing on stage in such skimpy costumes back then. :-) I thought it only happened in photos taken in shady back rooms for rags that were circulated to a small but discrete clientele. Until Playboy came along in the 50s, you didn't this kind of nudity anywhere in print, at least in a widely circulated publication. But the women here are easily the the peers of those from the famed silkscreen magazine era.
But even more than the visual titillation aspect of the book is that the stories of these women, who were true pioneers and unappreciated until now in many ways, are being told for posterity. Also, some of the men who were important to the period are profiled too. Overall, it's a fine book on what was a bygone and almost lost age of the stage and theater that finally seems to be getting some of the credit it deserves.
And as for the reviewer who gave the book a low rating because he works on Broadway and thought the book should have mentioned the new Burlesque revival, and that the book was just the author gushing about shows she'd never actually seen hersellf, well, stop whining. The book is about the old Burlesque, not the new stuff. And as for not having seen it, that's pretty much the nature of history, since most of it wasn't seen firsthand, anyway. And if you want a book on the new revival, then go write it yourself. Some day someone will be saying the same thing about you.
Rated by buyers -
Just noticed that there are some copies around for used prices on this insanely well-done hardbound. I paid a lot more and if you're looking for some vintage burlesque history of real performers, begin here. Briggeman clearly states how and why she undertook this search; this isn't a working author, she approached it as a fan, a researcher and hit a bull's eye. And if you can scarf one up for a good price, grab it for a fascinating read.
No Virginia, this isn't neo burlesque: here are the roots of the original bump & grinders who paved the way for today's performers who now cross into new media, post-feminist stuff and are more rock stars than many rock stars: today's performers owe a major bow to the subjects in "Burlesque: Legendary Stars of the Stage" and as a labor of love, this proves that a well sought-out and researched project like this can transcend its original goal. "Burlesque" humanizes the performers behind the glitter and, sometimes, grime of a lost era. for the Bettie Page fans and Brown and Bigelow pin up fans along Elvgren's alley, a tip o' the Hatlo hat to a book well done. could it have been heavier in one way or another? Sure: any subject like this is a jump into the deep end of the pool. There's a lot more to cover, but that's not the point: finding real, breathing people and hearing their stories was and is the point. Great vintage photos make it a time trip. And like so many art forms that were reviled by upper class, burlesque, baseball, comic books and rock and roll are spawned by commonality and drew from their working-class roots to become the colour in a grey society. This books rocks: what an homage and how well it is done! Kudos!!!
I'm glad to have it in my library; I envy the author in her numerous encounters with the real, working performers who, in their own stories, are now legends. True stories; real people. Bless Briggeman; bless her subjects.
Rated by buyers -
I just heard this book, "BURLESQUE: Legendary Stars of the Stage," won the 2005 IPPY Award in the Performing Arts catagory. From what I've read, over 2200 books were submitted by over 1500 Independent Publishing houses...and this book was judged to be the best in its catagory. That's all I need to know; it tells me this is a good book--perhaps considered a collectible due to all the photos it contains. The book also preserves at least a small piece of burlesque history; written by someone who has gotten to know many of these old-time performers in their later years. It's a book worth owning!
Rated by buyers 
-
This book is full of wonderful memorabilia, but it's a little weird that the author doesn't mention, or never has heard of, the neo-burlesque movement that has sweeped America and parts of the World. Rhapsodizing about performances she has never seen seems to be her way of romanticizing the past. There's no denying the book has wonderful photos, and the author's collection is full of amazing items. Even if she doesn't like the current burlesque scene, it's something she should comment on. Even the NY Times has written about the current burlesque revival! Nowhere does she mention Teasorama, the NY Burlesque Fiestival, or Exotic World, though she talks about the Museum. It's a flaw in an otherwise entertaining book.
Caveat: I am very much a part of the NY scene, stage managing and helping in a variety of shows, so perhaps I'm prejudiced.
Rated by buyers -
Slipping behind the scene, author and founder of the Burlesque Historical Society, Jane Briggeman,draws the reader into the dressing rooms and personal lives of the woman and men of burlesque.
Peppered troughout the book are beautiful photographs that show lots of curves, georgious gowns and costumes that bring the art of the dance into the readers mind.
Jane Briggeman covers all the ground from men performing baggy pants comedy to the burlesque stars and big production shows.
The author writes about burlesque's high popularity as well as its low periods when threatened by repressive times. Her impressive collection of burlesque memorabilia would be a welcome addition to any writers research library. Briggeman reveals heart and soul in "Burlesque". The size of the book and the attractive high gloss blue cover makes this a very classy coffee table conversation piece. Go out, buy the book and have some fun, it's a very exciting read.
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