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THE
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PERFORMERS SELLING AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOS. We
are also looking for a photo of the “original” Electra, from
Gypsy Rose Lee fame, in her Electric Light Costume… DO NOT COPY THESE PHOTOS…PLEASE BUY THEM AND HELP THE DANCERS FROM OLD TIME BURLESQUE! HOW TO CONTACT THESE PERFORMERS…write them a letter and send it to me in a stamped envelope. Include $1 for EACH letter…if you don’t include $1 your letter will not be mailed on! They wiill handle things from that point on. Autographed photos: $20 each, plus $3 for shipping... money goes directly to these performers, many who need the extra income.. PLEASE DO NOT PRESSURE THESE PERFORMERS FOR MORE INFORMATION THAN THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE! Many of them are not "into" writing long letters! SOME OF THESE DANCERS ALSO HAVE TOPLESS OR NUDE PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN $20…ask if interested! They all have different poses and photos available—not all could be shown here. Just be aware of that when you order photos. YOU NEED TO CONTACT THEM BEFORE SENDING MONEY! Money Orders or even cash are preferred…some will have a separate name that Money Orders will have to be made out too—SO PLEASE ASK! Some also have email addresses where you can contact them…you may want to ask about that as well. Send mail and letters to be forwarded on to: Jane
Briggeman WE ARE ALSO SEEKING DONATIONS AT THIS TIME TO HELP FINANCE ANOTHER REUNION FOR THESE GREAT OLD TIME PERFORMERS. THE LAST REUNION WAS HELD IN 2000. IT'S PAST TIME FOR ANOTHER! CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US?
Pat
Elliott Minsky passed away in 2004. In loving
In loving memory, Gilda passed away Feb., 2009
Photos, Unavaliable at this time!
Photos, No longer avaliable at this time!
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Pat
Elliott—
after studying dance in NYC, Pat performed in theaters, clubs and in
Las Vegas Production Shows from 1963 to 1967, at which time she married
burlesque producer Harold Minsky. Upon their marriage Pat worked behind
the scenes, learning the business end of producing the Minsky Shows.
After Harold’s death in 1977, Pat went on to co-produce two shows
under the Minsky banner. She has remained active with charities and
has produced her own photography show. Pat continues to dance on occasion,
and does some theater and modeling as well. She produces glass art and
is featured in the book “Neon Queens” (1999) by Gale Baker.
Sunny
Dare —
At age 17, Sunny joined the chorus line at the Gayety Theatre in Detroit,
which was just the beginning of a long, successful career in burlesque.
In 1950, she went on the road with Sally Rand, and in 1951, "Sunny
Dare" was born. Billed as, "The Girl with the Blue Hair,"
Sunny performed as a feature all over the United States, as well as
touring Japan. She would sing, perform acrobatics, high jumps, and splits.
Working for Minsky's, in the late 1960's, she worked month-long club
shows in Italy, England, and the Dominican Republic. But in 1970, seeing
where burlesque was headed, Sunny decided to make a change. She went
to nursing school, by day, and performed as Nejma, "Turkey's Foremost
Belly Dancer," by night. She worked for years, as a belly dancer,
in Greek clubs and Middle Eastern restaurants, while working her way
through nursing school. 
The
Fascinating Jennifer
—
Jennifer was invited to dance in the chorus line of the Casino Burlesque
Theatre in Boston when it re-opened in 1954. After learning stage presence,
she was asked to do a solo striptease routine, which was of no interest
to the young dancer until AFTER Sequin came to the theatre and performed.
Watching Sequin's routine, which contained no bumps and grinds, Jennifer
began creating her own costumes and routines and frequently filled in
on stage when needed thereafter. In 1957, "The Fascinating Jennifer,"
toured on the Bryan & Engle circuit as a co-feature, and by 1958,
performed as a feature, continuing to work in burlesque theatres until
her retirement in 1963.
Mary
Rooney
— Mary began dancing in 1957, at age 16, and still
loves to dance today. Billed as "The Million Dollar Baby,"
Mary Rooney became a headliner and star attraction who worked all over
the United States, except the West Coast, and Canada. She also danced
under the names Chris Snow and Crystal La-Vegas, "The Girl with
the Golden Nuggets and the Winning Numbers." Working as Crystal,
Mary did a production number with a 300-pound prop Roulette Table, with
a revolving wheel. The audience would be invited on stage and, one by
one, they would spin the wheel. Wherever the wheel stopped, that's the
clothing item she would remove. The jackpot was the G-string; but the
wheel was fixed so it would never stop there--no matter how hard the
guys tried. Mary says, "I can still dance up a storm, even on a
dance floor packed with teenagers. I just have music and rhythm in my
bones." Photos,
Unavaliable at this time!
La
Savona
- La Savona, originally from Czechoslovakia, (now the Czech Republic,)
was an attraction in many European cities, before moving to the United
States. In Europe, dancing was recognized as a sensuous ancient art
form; the performance was what was most important, not how much clothing
was worn. Upon arriving in the United States, her career in NYC, working
as a "special added attraction" on the same bill with Blaze
Starr. When Blaze left, she became the star of the show. Touring in
theatres and clubs, La Savona worked in the United States, Canada, and
all across Eastern Europe. Some newspaper write-ups reviewed her performance
as "an interpretation of Sally Rand," and she didn't even
know who Sally Rand was. La Savona's photos have appeared on the cover
of several magazines, as well as appeared on the cover of two record
albums. She has also performed on radio, television, and in films. She
is perhaps best known for her Scheherazade Oriental number; and is most
proud of the Honorary Membership bestowed upon her by the crew of the
legendary atomic submarine, USS SEAWOLF. 
Sequin
-
Sequin's career in show business first began at age 17 when she was
hired as a nightclub singer in Oakland, CA, and the only gown she had
to wear was her high school prom dress. But it was wartime, 1945, and
Oakland was swarming with sailors who didn't care what a gal was wearing,
as long as she was a good-looking female. By the time Sequin was 19,
she had performed for the USO, and numerous Veterans Hospitals, as she
made her way across the country to join Buddy Johnson's band in NYC.
After touring with Johnson, and later, Jack "Madman" Mitchell,
Sequin, with the aid of her friend, artist Ted Littleton, created a
striptease act, and began her burlesque career at "Strip City"
in Los Angeles. Lili St Cyr was her role model. Touring as "Sequin,
Beauty to the 4th Dimension," she worked throughout the United
States in theatres and clubs, (Dick Richards was instrumental in getting
Sequin booked onto the Ohio Burlesque Circuit,) until appearing at Minsky's
in 1957, where she met future husband, Tony Tamburello. Tony, musical
director for Tony Bennett, created a nightclub routine with special
material, which he and Sequin performed until they married a year later,
and Sequin retired. 
Gilda
and Her Crowning Glory—
also known as Shirley Jean in the “Our Gang/Little Rascals”
movies. Gilda began as a chorus girl at the Follies Theatre in LA, in
between jobs in the movies; her last film job was as a dancer in “Singing
in the Rain.” Lillian Hunt, choreographer at the Follies, gave
Gilda her first job as a strip-tease dancer and talking woman, and then
went on to manage her career in burlesque. Known for her waist long
golden hair, Jennie Lee’s EDL voted Gilda number 9 among all time
best strips the same year she retired, in the late 1950’s. During
her burlesque career Gilda worked theaters and clubs all over the country
and Canada.
Dee
Milo, Venus of Dance—
worked in burlesque theatres and clubs across the country, Japan and
Mexico from 1949-1964. She also toured in USO Shows. While working in
Mexico in 1957 Dee met and became close friends with Jennie Lee. Dee
Milo was known for her “Sentimental Journey” number and nearly
went to jail when she introduced a new routine called “ I Married
an Angel.” Upon retiring from burlesque, all photos, publicity,
costumes and memorabilia were burned in a fire…CAN YOU HELP US
REPLACE ANY OF THESE ITEMS? Dee has been involved in the practice of
energy healing for the last 30 years, but will still perform when asked
to do so.
Novita—
started performing in clubs as a child, and began working in burlesque
in 1950. Working clubs and theatres, she was often the featured dancer
in Lenny Bruce shows. “Novita” was voted in as the Vice-President
of “The League of Exotic Dancers.” The “EDL,” created
by nine dancers in 1955, threatened to strike over the low wages paid
to the strip-tease dancers in the Los Angeles area. The nine dancers
involved included: Jennie Lee, President and Founder; “Novita,”
Vice-President; Rusty Lane; Betty Rowland; Virginia Valentine; Daurene
Dare; Denise Dunbar; Peggy Stuart & “Champagne.” Others
who wanted to be there, but could not, included: Pat Flannery, Doreen
Gray, “Caprice” and Misty Aires. “Novita” stopped
performing in burlesque in 1957, but remained an active member of “EDL.”
Today she works under her real name as a professional artist, with numerous
works in private and corporate collections.
Diane
DeLyse—
worked as a specialty dancer in burlesque on and off from 1938 to 1969.
She worked all over Europe before being forced to come back to the United
States at the start of WWII—often using the name Diane Page. It
did not matter to her if she worked clubs or theaters—she just
loved dancing. However it was written into her contract that she was
not going to mix with the customers when working the clubs. “The
Devil and the Virgin” was one of her best-known routines.
Carmela,
the Sophia Loren of Burlesque—
worked all over the country from 1950 to 1976, preferring the burlesque
theaters to the clubs. She also worked In Europe, Canada and South America,
sometimes following and/or co-featuring with Blaze Starr and Tempest
Storm. Fellow performers that Carmela worked with include: Louis Armstrong,
Soupie Sales and Don Rickles. She is especially proud of the performance
she gave for President Kennedy’s honor guard.
Marinka
aka Melanie Hunter—
worked in burlesque from 1960 on, including the Ann Corio show “This
Was Burlesque.” She is very proud of the fact that she got guidance
from and was trained by Rose La Rose. “Marinka” has appeared
in films and legitimate theater productions, including “All That
Jazz.” Performing all over the country, including Canada, Mexico
and Europe, “Marinka” still performs today whenever an audience
wants to see a true, old-time burlesque routine.
Lee
Angel, aka Angel Robinson or Robin Lee—
began her burlesque career on the east coast in 1956 with the “World
of Mirth Show.” She was the only strip-tease dancer to headline
the Rock n’ Roll Shows on the “Chitlin Circuit.“Angel
went on to perform all over the world, becoming an International Star
before retiring from burlesque in 1977. Little Richard recently stated
in public that Angel has been his woman for the past 50 years.
Tanya,
aka Dee Valka— Tanya
and sisters Bronya and Marie Stobbe all attended dance school in the
1930’s before going on to perform in burlesque. Tanya worked in
theaters and clubs across the United States from 1942 to 1971, but always
preferred working in clubs. Bronya, who passed away in 1995 with Tanya
by her side, also worked across the country and Canada. Tanya and Bronya
excelled in tap, ballet and acrobatic dancing. Bronya was known for
her Half-and-Half act. Dancing was her life! Tanya also used the name
Dee Valka, but only when performing in the state of Florida. Besides
her own photos, Tanya also has UNAUTOGRAPHED photos of Bronya that are
available. Just Ask!
Joni
Taylor—
Joni began her career in burlesque in 1952 working in the chorus line
at the Casino Theatre in Pittsburgh. Comic George Murray was the theatre
manager and his wife Eileen Hubert, dancer/talking woman, choreographed
the shows. As her career progressed, Joni went on the road working in
bits with comic Charlie Robinson, and dancing as a co-feature, always
working in theaters on the east coast. Joni left burlesque in 1964,
but would fill-in if AGVA called for a last minute replacement. She
is proud to have worked with many top-notch comics and straight men
from the last decades of burlesque.
April
March—
worked in burlesque from 1952 to 1978, performing all over the US, Canada,
Mexico and in England. April headlined two Harold Minsky Shows, also
Ann Corio’s show “This Was Burlesque” for 6 weeks. It
was during a press party thrown by Ann Corio that a writer discovered
April was a talented golfer. Because of that interview she became the
first female strip-tease dancer from burlesque to be given a full write
up in “Sports Illustrated.” In 1964 she appeared in a film
short made by Jim Henson called “Time Piece” which won major
awards within the film industry. April preferred working in theaters
to clubs, and says she truly enjoyed getting to know all the great comics.
Vicki
O’Day—
worked mostly in burlesque clubs on the west coast, also in Alaska and
Canada, from 1964 to 1979. However she likes to tell about how she was
headed to work in Guam and made a left turn only to find herself working
in Boston instead. Also known as “Astarte— Goddess of Fertility”
Vicki made a movie in Denver in 1965 with Tempest Storm called “A
Day in the Life of a Stripper.”
Cynthiana—
worked burlesque clubs and theaters from 1963 to 1970. She mostly worked
on the west coast, Hawaii and Japan, but was particularly popular in
Louisville, KY. She was known for the large hats she wore in her routines,
which were made by “Kiva.”
Sheila
Rae—
worked in burlesque from 1946 to 1971. She was a feature attraction
who worked in clubs and theaters all over the United States, Europe
and Canada. She was sometimes billed as “The Hungarian Bombshell.”
Due to health reasons Sheila is not able to correspond with her fans
at this time but autographed photos ARE available. Please contact us
regarding the purchase of her photos and we will be more than happy
to help you.
Sandy
O’Hara—
known as “The Improper Bostonian,” Sandy is currently starring
in “The Best
of Burlesque.” Starting her career in the chorus line at age seventeen,
she was headlining “Minsky’s Burlesque Follies” in Las
Vegas by age twenty. Sandy has also starred in Ann Corio’s “This
Was Burlesque,” Barry Ashton’s “Wonderful World of Burlesque,”
and Rocky Senne’s “Wild World of Burlesque.” Sandy is
famous as being a world-renowned fan dancer, and for her tribute to
Sally Rand. After an appearance at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas
in 1970, Miss O’Hara was dubbed “Miss Armed Forces Pin-Up.”
She was the first lady so honored since Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable.
Satin
Doll—
began her career in burlesque in 1959 appearing at the Terris Club in
Milwaukee, where she performed a soft shoe and dance routine. Billed
as “The Fabulous Dee Dee,” “DeAnna Day,” “Princess
Dee,” or “Satin Doll” (there were several “Satin
Dolls”), she learned the artsy-seductive moves from such troupers
as “The Gypsy,” Vicki, Mitzi, Tanya and other high caliber
artists in the world of burlesque. She worked mostly in the Midwest,
but did appear in clubs and theaters across the country, including Jack
Ruby’s Club in Dallas. Not only did she perform as a dancer, but
as a comedienne and MC as well, retiring from the stage in 1969. At
present, she is a nationally published author of romance, poetry and
children’s books. 
Gina
BonBon—
born in Cuba, Gina began her career in burlesque in NYC in 1965. It
was soon there after that she found herself performing on the burlesque
theater circuit for Al Baker Jr. Jess Mack and Dick Richards were just
two of the big named burlesque agents Gina worked for. She has worked
clubs and theaters all over the country, including Canada and Guam.
Performing in The Minsky’s Follies, Burlesque USA—starring
Robert Alda and Red Buttons, “The Cabaret” in Las Vegas, and
“The Playboy Club” in Chicago, provide Gina with just a few
of her favorite memories from working in burlesque. Gina has also done
some film and TV work. She retired from burlesque after giving her final
performance in Hawaii in 1990.
Sunny
Day—
It was shortly after being introduced to the owner of the Follies Theatre
in Baltimore in 1969, that Sunny began her career in burlesque. Once
her routines were polished and perfected at the Follies, she hit the
road. Being able to travel is what appealed to her the most. Performing
in clubs and theaters across the US and Canada, Sunny was known for
her “Butterfly” act. The finale included wings that spread
open to approximately 20 feet. Sunny retired from burlesque in 1976
to pursue a career in acting and her interest in photography.
Delilah
Jones— Delilah
Jones—began dancing in burlesque in 1959 by working at clubs in
the LA area. Sally Rand and Tempest Storm both worked with Delilah,
helping her learn the fine art of dancing with fans and by giving her
suggestions for her act. But her specialties were belly-dancing and
contortion routines. She also did an act with a large champagne glass.
(she has a great nude photo available in a champagne glass.) Delilah
performed in burlesque into the late 1970’s, working all over the
United States, Canada and Mexico. However she regularly performed at
the world famous “Palomino Club” in Las Vegas. After retiring
from the burlesque stage she ppeared in several movies and TV shows.
BEFORE her career in burlesque, Delilah worked as a pin-up model, appearing
in 75+ magazines under the name Doris Gohlke. She was also Miss Teenage
Berlin in 1955 and the second runner up in the Miss Germany Pageant
in 1957.
Mara
Gaye -
Billed as, "Exotic Surprise," and "The Lady of Fashion,"
Mara Gaye began performing in theatre productions at a very young age,
before winning the 1936 title of "Miss Dallas." In the late
1930's, she became a Radio City Music Hall Rockette for five years,
after working in films, such as: The Mexican Hayride, My Dear Public,
and The Devil on Horseback, with Ann Miller. Mara also danced in Billy
Rose's Casa Manana Show, and at the Clover Club in Miami, before beginning
her career in burlesque in the early 1940's. Headlining in theatres
and clubs across the United States, including: Minsky's, Empire Burlesque,
the Hudson Theatre, Club Samoa, and the Willows, Mara also appeared
in the "Paris Spice" edition of Michael Rose Capers at the
Holiday Theatre on Broadway. Not only has Mara Gaye published her own
catalog of bizarre and exotic costumes, but also her photos have appeared
in many major publications. Friends and co-workers from burlesque included:
Georgia Sothern, Peaches, Lili St Cyr, and Sally Rand.