Pretty Things: The Last Generation of American Burlesque Queens – The Definitive Study of Golden Age Cabaret, Glamour, and Sexuality

This book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the history of burlesque, theater history or costume design. I actually found this book while searching for information on Gypsy Rose Lee. I have never seen the documentary, but the book stands on its own merits.Not only are the stories of the performers interesting - and sometimes heartbreaking - but the photos are amazing. There are candid shots of costume fittings, fabric swatches, original sketches and, in one case, photos of the inside construction of the costume. I work with costumes and it was interesting to see the rigging used in the "pre-velcro" days. I have done plenty of quick change rigging over the years and enjoyed seeing the skill and imagination used in the construction of these costumes.

Love this book. We own a burlesque dinner theater in St. Louis Missouri and we bought this book so I could teach my new performers what pinup is as none of them had any burlesque or pinup experience we bought several other books also however this is been a great book for inspiration for them to learn all about the art a burlesque

I enjoy all things burlesque and pinup. This book has it all...the costumes, the history, the glam, the not so glam, such a great book! It’s a treasure-trove of photos and information to savor.

I love Burlesque and this was a nice introduction to the history of that subject. Well written, good background history of the subject, and lots of pictures. I wish that Burlesque was around today. If you like beautiful women being creative and entertaining then you will enjoy this book.

This is a beautiful iconic scrap book of striptease artists. It gives information about the lives of the girls, their costumes, their admirers. It is a feast for people interested in this art, not just for the eyes but for the mind and heart. I understand the author did a documentary, as well, and I would love to see it. Please someone release it on DVD.

FANTASTIC BOOK. This book by Liz Goldwyn is so nicely done and sointeresting about the Burlesque Queens of years past. The TV special'Pretty Things' was so good, I watched it a few times and then ordered the book. Thanks to dear Liz Goldwyn. Her research, interviews, costumes, the pictures, the costume designers, etc. were superb. I do hope Ms. Goldwyn will do more, maybe about Vaudeville, Gypsy Rose Lee, Minsky's , Billy Rose, Fannie Brice or any others. I enjoyed this book & my thanks & admiration to Liz Goldwyn & please, please do more TV specials about these great people along with books about them. Fantastic!From, Missey

This is a well-researched book with numerous photos and other details of the working and creative aspects of the burlesque performers' lives. Some lives were good, some bad. Really shows how much work and care went into the art of burlesque. The personalities are as sparkling as the costumes.

Funny how I purchased this book and find my grandmother in it boy she was a beauty! Look for Jacklyn Jorge the Angel from Paris that’s my grandmother!

Great book!

Ein wunderschönes Buch für alle Burlesque- und Vintage-Fans. Schöne Bilder, aber auch sehr viele tiefgehende Texte sind im Buch enthalten.

This hefty volume presents archive material likely to be useful to anyone researching the costumes and style of classic burlesque; the drawings and photos taken by designers themselves are of particular interest. Much of the book adopts a scrapbook format and the many backstage and publicity shots evoke the nostalgic glamour of the era. As the text points out however,some of the documentation here is the only proof some of these performers ever existed; it brings home the transience of fame achieved within a branch of theatrical performance, first persecuted by a conservative society then washed away by the liberal backlash that made its artistry redundant. Goldwyn admits in her summation that her naieve perceptions were changed by her research; there are some sad stories told here and the seedy side of the business is not ignored. Despite the colourful subject matter the book is quite monochromatic; there are colour images but they are for the most part subdued lending an elegiac feel to the presentation, appropriate for the tone of the book perhaps? It is a shame Goldwyn`s documentary film of the same title has not yet been released on DVD - very remiss of HBO. If you are at all interested in burlesque this is a book you will want - material like this is not easy to come by and although it deals mainly with the specific group of performers Goldwyn met it is a valuable window into a lost world. If you can afford it, buy it.

19世紀末アメリカの身体表現による風刺、体型をネタにしたジョーク、お色気などがつまったエンターテイメントショウ。そんな当時の無邪気でお行儀の悪いバーレスクダンサーの写真や、衣装など様々な角度からバーレスクを追った読み応えたっぷりの秀作写真集。バーレスクの女王たちを支え、40年にわたってバーレスクの衣装を作ってきたグッシー・グロスの衣装なども垣間見れる、女性なら色々とお手本にしたい要素がいっぱい詰まっています。全頁英語での解説となりますが、カラー写真のみで構成されており当時のダンサー達の写真眺めているだけで飽きない一冊です。

This book is just beautiful. The copy I have is used with slight sun damage on the outer cover but the inside is pristine. Just amazing detail in the photographs and other illustrations. Incredible background information on costumes. Just what I was looking for :) Fast turnaround on delivery too.