This past weekend was Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas. Burlesque performers from all around the world got together for the reunion as well as the best excuse to play dress-up for an entire weekend. Legendary stripteasers of yesteryear as well as the young neo-burlesquers gathered for competitions, performances and cocktails (and to raise money for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum). I didn't get to go this year, but looking at pictures and hearing about all the fun that was had put me in the mood to watch an old school Blue Vanities movie. Softcore Nudes 115: Burlesque & Nudes '40's & '50's (All B &W) was just what I needed on a Monday morning.
Softcore Nudes 115 is a 2 hour long striptease-a-thon consisting of a mish mosh of 8mm film clips. The folks at Blue Vanities mix "Strips On Stage" with home movie-esque films of pretty ladies stripping down to and out of their unders. The quality varies from scene to scene, but I personally like the feel that the graininess gives to the movie as a whole. Something that is 60 or 70 + years old shouldn't be in mint condition. Although, I would love to be able to really make out what some of the costumes actually look like.
I love that you get to see the old school burlesque performers in this video. You get to see greats Candy Barr, Jennie Lee and Lilly St. Cyre bumping and grinding in what us burly-q performers consider to be golden footage. You even get to see Tempest Storm, who is still performing today, in one of her earliest acts. Anyone who has a fondness for vintage things will enjoy this. While this movie may be mixed in with all of the dirty movies one can handle on HotMoviesForHer, it is actually of historical importance to anyone who performs or even appreciates burlesque.
Besides being a burlesque geek's dream, this movie is a great opportunity to just enjoy the female body without any sex acts taking place. While many feminists would scold me for "reducing women to body parts", I don't see anything wrong with appreciating beautiful bodies. Back in those days, the hour glass shape ruled and my, were there breasts perky and voluptuous.
Sure, getting to see these lovely ladies in their birthdays suits is a treat, but I do love the costuming and lingerie of the 1940's and 50's. Sheer flowing panels and easily detachable sparkling pieces make me want to travel back in time and find out what their costume secrets were! Not to mention, I love the bullet bras and stockings. Sure, it is back in style now, but I love the way the ladies wore them back in the day.
Softcore Nudes 115 is a great movie for just enjoying the original stripteasers. It is a history lesson for anyone looking to get into burlesque today or who is a present day aficionado. I have to mention that the background music leaves much to be desired. Unfortunately, we don't get to hear the original music that these gals performed to. I suggest putting the movie on mute and playing some sort of "best of burlesque hits" play list at the same time. I realize I am partial, but this is definitely a movie I can get lost in.
