#254 - CoB 2 2
Cavalcade of BurlesqueVolume 2, Number 2
Burlesque Historical Company, 1953
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
a page-by-page digital replica
If Striparama focused on the glamor facet of burlesque, Cavalcade of Burlesque shows us the complete theatrical presentation, paying lots of attention to comedians. The founder and Executive Director of Cavalcade, Jess Mack, had a successful career as straight man to many top bananas in the business.
The publication blends aspects of trade journal and fan magazine. More than 50 publicity photos of strippers and dancers appear on the magazine's 52 pages. These leggy lovelies include Blaze Fury, Gary Dawn, Ann Arbor. Yvette du Vale, Penny Page, Lily White, Angelina Paessos, Flash O'Farrell, Dolly O'Day, Roxanne, and Terry Miller. Most photos show the stripper's name.
Now most remembered for his portrayal of Ralph Kramden in his Honeymooners TV sitcom, Jackie Gleason penned a brief introduction. In it, he acknowledges all Jess Mack taught him his first day on the job as house comic at the Empire Theatre in Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Gleason acted in many films, including the biggest grossing feature of 1977, Smokey and the Bandit, in which he played Sheriff Buford T. Justice.
Essays describe current striptease fashions, and burlesque in Mexico. We're told about Billy Watson, whose Krausmeyer's Alley got laughs from three generations. His Beef Trust chorus of big girls collectively tipped the scales at more than 1500 pounds. The longest piece tells the story of burlesque troupers who entertain American soldiers and sailors through the USO agency.
Cartoons make jokes about strippers. Pages also present the compete dialog of three classic burlesque skits.
Business-to-business advertisers sell costume fabrics, costumes, music arrangements, stage equipment, tickets, posters, talent placement, photography, feathers, footwear, and the onstage services of entertainers. Restaurants, bars and hotels offer their wares to traveling performers.
The ebook is a full-sized, page-by-page digital replica that retains the page sequence of the original. Every word, picture and ad is in the ebook. Many page layouts were revised to present photographs and text at original sizes. Image-editing adjustments improve the clarity of pictures for the digital iteration. All original scans.
A nostalgic artifact of mid-century bawdiness, Cavalcade of Burlesque pays sincere respect to the performance artists who made audiences dream and laugh. With its view from the wings and dressing rooms, we're privy to the nuts and bolts of an old stagecraft that pleased generations.
One ebook, delivered by download link.