Femme Vivre La Rouge has compiled a list of great vintage and burlesque inspired books and films to keep you cozy by the fire this winter!
Books:
For a cheeky and satirical look at social history, go with The Nice Girl’s Guide to Good Behavior by Monica Redlich.
With chapter headings such as “A Guide to Public Appearances” and “People You Ought to Know About” this book gives the best worst advice of the 1930s and, while it purports to teaching girls good behavior, it really focuses more on how to put other women down ‘politely,’ play men, and climb the social ladder.
If you’re looking for something instructional this year, you may want to give Atomic Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for Modern Times a whirl. Compiled by Karen Brooks, Gideon Bosker, and Reed Darmon, this book is full of fantastic photos, illustrations, and best of all, drink recipes from the great age of the cocktail. Throughout the year this little gem has helped my fella and I keep our New Year’s resolution of ‘drinking fancy.’
For aesthetic inspiration and leisurely gazing, I recommend The Art of the Great Hollywood Portrait Photographers by John Kobal. Spanning the period of 1925-1940, this title offers up 150 stunning photographs with information on the photographers and their subjects. This one would look great on your coffee table!
Sisters of Salome by Toni Bentley is an excellent look at female artists at the turn of the last century, the emergence of modern dance, and the Salome Craze This one is definitely in my top 10 favorite non-fiction books.
For something spooky, I recommend Hollywood Haunted: A Ghostly Tour of Filmland by Laurie Jacobson and Marc Wanamaker. Featuring stories about Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Bela Lugosi, and many more, this is an excellent compilation of Hollywood’s most famous specters.
If you enjoy pulp fiction and a good detective mystery as much as I do, and you’ve already made your way through the Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammet classics, here a few new suggestions:
The Corpse Wore Pasties by Johnny Porkpie, the Burlesque Mayor of New York City– a scintillating burlesque detective mystery written by one of our own He Done Her Wrong: A Toby Peters Mystery by Stuart Kaminsky features Mae West as a main character, blackmailed with a stolen manuscript of her scandalous autobiography. Chinatown Death Cloud Peril by Paul Malmont is another fine choice An excellent modern pulp fiction, this book’s characters are all famous writers from the great pulp era.
Films:
If you’re in the mood for a classic holiday film, but you’ve tired of White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life, check out 1945’s Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck
For another marvelous Barbara Stanwyck film of the burlesque variety, look up Ball of Fire, in which she plays a nightclub performer mixed up in a murder case with her gangster boyfriend. It’s a little bit like a 1941 version of Sister Act except that Stanwyck seeks asylum with a group of nerdy lexicographers rather than nuns.
For a burlesque biopic try The Josephine Baker Story Released in 1991, with Lynn Whitfield as the title character, this film chronicles the incredible life of Josephine Baker.
Another great biopic that shouldn’t be missed is 2009’s Coco Before Chanel starring Audrey Tautou as the great designer, Coco Chanel.
If you’re in the mood for a musical, might I suggest 1960’s Can Can starring Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra, and Maurice Chevalier
For Romantic Comedy, try one of my all-time favorite films, 1934’s It Happened One Night, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Filmed in just four weeks while Colbert was on break from another film set, this cinematic masterpiece was the first to win every major Academy Award.
A marvelous series of films beginning in 1934, The Thin Man movies are a mix of detective mystery and romantic comedy, with heavy drinking and witty dialogue on the side
Finally, for a modern classic, set in the 1930s just before the dawn of WWII, watch 2008’s Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, with Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, and Lee Pace
Fireside Guide
We’ve compiled a list of classic pin-up and burlesque reads and films for those cozy winter nights.
Must See Films for the Vintage Minded:
Lady of Burlesque (1943) Starring Barbara Stanwyck, a burlesque murder mystery based on “The G-String Murders” written by Gypsy Rose Lee herself
Gilda (1946) Stars Rita Hayworth, one of the most famous pin-ups of WWII, who whispers the line- “I can never get a zipper to close. Maybe that stands for something.”
Dinner at Eight (1933) Ah, New York Socialites and their dinner parties! An all star cast including Jean Harlow.
Gypsy (1962) Based on the life of burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee
Guys and Dolls (1955) There’s a reason this one of the most famous comedic musicals of all time. Features Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando, and the delightful “Hot Box Girls”
Ziegfeld Follies (1945) A film tribute to the great Ziegfeld, packed with astounding acts and top-notch performers.
A Night at the Opera (1935) The Marx Brothers at their finest
Dita Von Teese at the Crazy Horse: Paris (2009) The notorious Dita in all her glamour & spectacle at her recent live Parisian show.
Our 2009 Fireside Guide featured: Some Like It Hot (Marilyn Monroe), I’m No Angel (Mae West), and A Wink and a Smile(Indigo Blue)
Must Read Books:
No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book that Made Vaudeville Famous, Trav S.D.
Bombshell: The Life and Death of Jean Harlow, David Stenn
The Bare Truth: Stars of Burlesque From the ’40s and ’50s, Len Rothe
Burlesque and the New Bump-n-Grind, Michelle Baldwin
The Burlesque Handbook, Jo Weldon
Complicated Women: Sex and Power in Pre-Code Hollywood, Mick LaSalle
Pretty Things: The Last Generation of American Burlesque Queens, Liz Goldwyn
Have a little extra time on your hands during the cold winter months spent inside? Check out our list of Pin Curl Magazine’s Top Five Vintage Movie Picks for Winter.
Burlesque Undressed
2010. Produced by and Starring Immodesty Blaize
The mighty Immodesty Blaize has done it again in her documentary of The Tease Show which was a smashing success in Europe. One of the most famous modern burlesque performers Miss Blaize is featured throughout the film, as well as performances and interviews with the biggest names in modern burlesque including: Perle Noire, Kalani Kokonuts, Dirty Martini, Michelle L’Amour, Catherine D’Lish, and Kitten D’Ville.
Burlesque Undressed chronicles the history of burlesque from its European roots to its American Revival. Also included in the film are interviews with burlesque legends Dixie Evans, Satan’s Angel, Lily Ann Rose, and The First Lady of Burlesque April March.
Burlesque Undressed is now in theaters in Europe, and will be available on DVD there in February. Which begs the question — but what about the American fans? Glad you asked! Dallas will be home to the U.S. film premier! We are proud to announce the U.S. film debut of Burlesque Undressed, as well as live burlesque performances by some of the top stars in the film including Immodesty Blaize will take place in Dallas in March and is presented by none other than Pin Curl Magazine!
Watching all the talent, glitz, and feathers is a high definition spectacle not to be missed (not to mention Immodesty Blaize’s first ever performance in Texas!)
I’m No Angel
1933. Starring Mae West and Cary Grant
Nominated for Best Picture in its day, I’m No Angel may be the legendary Mae West’s best film ever. The story of famous glamorous shimming side show performer turned lion tamer, this is a brilliant woman chasing her dream story. Curveballs are thrown at her when she falls in love with a man, only to have her ex interfere, but she wants it all — and she gets it.
Some Like It Hot
1959. Starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon
This Oscar-winning film, finds two struggling musicians running from the mob. In order to avoid being killed, they dress in drag and join an all girl band, but things get complicated when one of the musicians falls for a female band mate. This comedic thriller is sure to become a favorite!
The Notorious Bettie Page
2006. Starring Gretchen Mol
While Bettie fans give this film mixed reviews, it did earn two SAG nominations and is well worth a watch. This film focuses on a side of Bettie few knew, the innocent, naïve country gals that she was. Chronicling her life from her very first shoot to her legal battle, which all but forcefully removed her from modeling, this film strives to give an accurate pictorial of the Notorious Bettie Page.
**There is also a new Bettie Page documentary in the works. This one claims to be an authorized biography, made with Bettie’s full cooperation. For more info and projected release dates, visit the official site Bettie Page Reveals All.**
A Wink and a Smile
2009. Produced by and Starring Indigo Blue
This film documents the lives of ten ordinary women, as they enroll in and complete Miss Indigo Blue’s Burlesque training course. With performances, clips, and interviews from almost all of the heavy hitters in Seattle’s current burlesque scene, this is a show every fan of neo-burlesque should see.
