Directed by Leslie Zemeckis
Produced by Sheri Hellard, Jackie Levine & Zemeckis
Edited by Evan Finn
Released by First Run Features
USA. 98 min. Not Rated
[Article originally appeareed: http://film-forward.com/burlyq.html]
The main problem with Leslie Zemeckis’s history of burlesque is that it doesn’t reveal enough. It’s obvious from the impressive group of ex-dancers who have been gathered that the subject is of great significance to the filmmaker, but, unfortunately, the story just doesn’t…er…take off. Considering the film’s participants include such scantily clad luminaries as Sunny Dare, Tempest Storm, and Blaze Starr, it comes as something of a disappointment that the banter remain so tame. Many of the ex-dancers have understandably settled into geriatric complacency, but their memories don’t lift the film to a more memorable level.
Burlesque was at its most popular in New York between the wars. It’s noted that during the Great Depression a man could do back breaking work for only nickels a day, but on the way home, he could stop at a burlesque show, plop down his dime, and for a couple of hours, he could forget his troubles. Burlesque was not just about solely women stripping. Comics, singers, and novelty acts were commonly showcased. Some shows were actually considered family entertainment. But by and large, burlesque was pushed to the margins and probably became popular because there was no porn to be downloaded at the time. Read more