Leslie Zemeckis's Blog - Posts Tagged "burlesque"
Daisy and Violet HIlton
f course this book lead to my documentary Bound By Flesh. Jensen is a thorough, insightful researcher. He brings to life the twins' story in a compassionate, humorous, tragic light. Can't wait for his next book.
Cleopatra
So sorry - it didn't live up to its press. I found it to be as dry as the desert. sorry Cleo. Make a movie!
Publishers Weekly
http://reviews.publishersweekly.com/9...
Filmmaker Zemeckis offers a narrative version of her 2010 documentary film of the same name in this comprehensive history of the golden age of burlesque. Drawing from extensive interviews conducted for the film, Zemeckis profiles a host of colorful dancers, from 4’11” Tiny Kline—a former circus performer turned burlesque star turned Disneyland’s first Tinker Bell—to Sherry Britton, who was named an honorary Brigadier for entertaining troops during WWII and who went on to get a law degree from Fordham University. The author also describes some of the most famous acts, including Kitty West emerging from a giant oyster shell and Gypsy Rose Lee’s “reverse strip,” in which she dressed other women in the clothes she removed. Some stories are nearly too tragic to bear, like that of Faith Bacon, who had her routine stolen from her, survived two freak accidents, became addicted to barbiturates, and finally killed herself. Rounding out Zemeckis’s oral history are profiles of those connected to the burlesque circuit—like comedians Abbott and Costello—and examinations of the legal and social furors and fevers kicked off by the “Burly Q.” This rich history, rife with vibrant quotes and first-hand insights from burlesque’s biggest dancers, is indispensable for fans of the ribald pastime. 80 b&w photos. Agent: Danny Passman, Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown. (June)
Filmmaker Zemeckis offers a narrative version of her 2010 documentary film of the same name in this comprehensive history of the golden age of burlesque. Drawing from extensive interviews conducted for the film, Zemeckis profiles a host of colorful dancers, from 4’11” Tiny Kline—a former circus performer turned burlesque star turned Disneyland’s first Tinker Bell—to Sherry Britton, who was named an honorary Brigadier for entertaining troops during WWII and who went on to get a law degree from Fordham University. The author also describes some of the most famous acts, including Kitty West emerging from a giant oyster shell and Gypsy Rose Lee’s “reverse strip,” in which she dressed other women in the clothes she removed. Some stories are nearly too tragic to bear, like that of Faith Bacon, who had her routine stolen from her, survived two freak accidents, became addicted to barbiturates, and finally killed herself. Rounding out Zemeckis’s oral history are profiles of those connected to the burlesque circuit—like comedians Abbott and Costello—and examinations of the legal and social furors and fevers kicked off by the “Burly Q.” This rich history, rife with vibrant quotes and first-hand insights from burlesque’s biggest dancers, is indispensable for fans of the ribald pastime. 80 b&w photos. Agent: Danny Passman, Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown. (June)
Zelda
First start with a pitcher of Orange Blossom Cocktails: 10T oj 10 T Grand marnier, 10 T Absolute Mandarian, 2 1/2 tsp. orange flower water and 5 cups prosecco. Then sit back in your favorite string of pearls and shift dress, kick of your mules and enjoy slipping back to the 1920s with a heart-felt Zelda telling her side of the story. Sad yet infused (like our cocktails) with the scents of Magnolia blossoms from Montgomery, the sound of jazz from the New York speakeasies and the lights of Paris. This book is a delight.
Behind the Burly Q
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY:
Behind the Burly Q: The Story of Burlesque in America
Leslie Zemeckis. Skyhorse (Norton, dist.), $24.95 (352p) ISBN 978-1-62087-691-6
Filmmaker Zemeckis offers a narrative version of her 2010 documentary film of the same name in this comprehensive history of the golden age of burlesque. Drawing from extensive interviews conducted for the film, Zemeckis profiles a host of colorful dancers, from 4’11” Tiny Kline—a former circus performer turned burlesque star turned Disneyland’s first Tinker Bell—to Sherry Britton, who was named an honorary Brigadier for entertaining troops during WWII and who went on to get a law degree from Fordham University. The author also describes some of the most famous acts, including Kitty West emerging from a giant oyster shell and Gypsy Rose Lee’s “reverse strip,” in which she dressed other women in the clothes she removed. Some stories are nearly too tragic to bear, like that of Faith Bacon, who had her routine stolen from her, survived two freak accidents, became addicted to barbiturates, and finally killed herself. Rounding out Zemeckis’s oral history are profiles of those connected to the burlesque circuit—like comedians Abbott and Costello—and examinations of the legal and social furors and fevers kicked off by the “Burly Q.” This rich history, rife with vibrant quotes and first-hand insights from burlesque’s biggest dancers, is indispensable for fans of the ribald pastime. 80 b&w photos.
Behind the Burly Q: The Story of Burlesque in America
Leslie Zemeckis. Skyhorse (Norton, dist.), $24.95 (352p) ISBN 978-1-62087-691-6
Filmmaker Zemeckis offers a narrative version of her 2010 documentary film of the same name in this comprehensive history of the golden age of burlesque. Drawing from extensive interviews conducted for the film, Zemeckis profiles a host of colorful dancers, from 4’11” Tiny Kline—a former circus performer turned burlesque star turned Disneyland’s first Tinker Bell—to Sherry Britton, who was named an honorary Brigadier for entertaining troops during WWII and who went on to get a law degree from Fordham University. The author also describes some of the most famous acts, including Kitty West emerging from a giant oyster shell and Gypsy Rose Lee’s “reverse strip,” in which she dressed other women in the clothes she removed. Some stories are nearly too tragic to bear, like that of Faith Bacon, who had her routine stolen from her, survived two freak accidents, became addicted to barbiturates, and finally killed herself. Rounding out Zemeckis’s oral history are profiles of those connected to the burlesque circuit—like comedians Abbott and Costello—and examinations of the legal and social furors and fevers kicked off by the “Burly Q.” This rich history, rife with vibrant quotes and first-hand insights from burlesque’s biggest dancers, is indispensable for fans of the ribald pastime. 80 b&w photos.
On Writing
Grab your Miller Lights and sink into a fast-paced thorough inspiring story of a man and his writing. King gives us concrete – that’s the key, not airy fairy advice here – ways to get your writing done. As King struggles with crap jobs (Dunkin’ Donuts – pg. 69) and alcohol and drug problems he wrote wrote wrote. And who isn’t a fan of Mr. King? I grew up on Christine and Cujo. And Hollywood is making another Carrie. Brilliant What an imagination. My fav quote “you need a concrete goal . . . don’t wait for the muse.” King is a writer who loves to write.
Here’s a recipe for the best donuts
1 cup unsalted butter
3 cups flour
1 tbs baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
2 oranges with just the flesh removed and chopped
1 lemon zested and juiced
1 navel orange zested and juiced
2 tbs powdered sugar
8 oz dark chocolate
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 inch bundt pan. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large measuring cup, combine the milk, citrus juices and zest.
With an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar. Add the eggs.
Alternating between the dry ingredient mixture and the liquids. Mix in the orange pieces. Pour into bundt pan and bake for approximately 50-60.
combine the orange juice, zest and powdered sugar. glaze the cake with a pastry brush. melt the dark chocolate. Dribble he dark chocolate over top the cake. Adapted from Sunday Sundaes
Here’s a recipe for the best donuts
1 cup unsalted butter
3 cups flour
1 tbs baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
2 oranges with just the flesh removed and chopped
1 lemon zested and juiced
1 navel orange zested and juiced
2 tbs powdered sugar
8 oz dark chocolate
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 inch bundt pan. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large measuring cup, combine the milk, citrus juices and zest.
With an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar. Add the eggs.
Alternating between the dry ingredient mixture and the liquids. Mix in the orange pieces. Pour into bundt pan and bake for approximately 50-60.
combine the orange juice, zest and powdered sugar. glaze the cake with a pastry brush. melt the dark chocolate. Dribble he dark chocolate over top the cake. Adapted from Sunday Sundaes
The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton
The sidecar:
1 1/2 oz Cognac
1 oz triple sec orange liqueur
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Lemon twist for garnish
Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar.
Shake ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Strain, pour and garnish with twist.
Sit back and read Dean Jensen's loving bio.
Another fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of American entertainment. Incredibly written and researched. I love Dean's voice.I was haunted by this work. I had never heard of Daisy and Violet Hilton. Boy do I know about them now (I would devote a couple years to making a documentary on them and interviewing Mr. Jensen who has an incredible brain for dates and names). From their beginnings in 1901 in Brighton, England through their deaths in 1969 Jensen is enthralling in this biography.
Like the author himself the book is articulate, funny, sad, non-judgmental. Jensen recreates the world of carnivals and vaudeville. The twins lives themselves is ultimately sad, but their spirit and those around them – for better or worse shines through.
1 1/2 oz Cognac
1 oz triple sec orange liqueur
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Lemon twist for garnish
Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar.
Shake ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Strain, pour and garnish with twist.
Sit back and read Dean Jensen's loving bio.
Another fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of American entertainment. Incredibly written and researched. I love Dean's voice.I was haunted by this work. I had never heard of Daisy and Violet Hilton. Boy do I know about them now (I would devote a couple years to making a documentary on them and interviewing Mr. Jensen who has an incredible brain for dates and names). From their beginnings in 1901 in Brighton, England through their deaths in 1969 Jensen is enthralling in this biography.
Like the author himself the book is articulate, funny, sad, non-judgmental. Jensen recreates the world of carnivals and vaudeville. The twins lives themselves is ultimately sad, but their spirit and those around them – for better or worse shines through.
The Shoemaker's Wife
mix a Sgroppino: 1/2 c prosecco, 1 T vodka, 1/4 c chilled lemon sorbet, and chopped mint - slip on a pair of Blahniks and enjoy this slow but ultimately old-fashioned story.
Though I found the characters to be a bit "too good" for reality, I did enjoy the author's great detail and struggle of two italian immigrants. With seemingly impossible coincidences that keep bringing the two main characters together and I did wish the story would move along faster, it made me reveal in the details of early New York. A worthy read.
Though I found the characters to be a bit "too good" for reality, I did enjoy the author's great detail and struggle of two italian immigrants. With seemingly impossible coincidences that keep bringing the two main characters together and I did wish the story would move along faster, it made me reveal in the details of early New York. A worthy read.
Night Circus
1 cup sugar
1 c water
1/4 light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. white vinegar
9 c popped pop corn
tiny white marshmellow pieces
black licorice cut up into pieces
red vines cut into little pices
mix together and sit down and enjoy the most creative, stunningly original voice in fiction in years. A magical circus comes to town and sucks the reader in from the get go. I did not want this book to end and cannot wait for the author's next venture. I don't want to give anything away except to say the characters are heartbreaking, original, sensual - and I love all things circus - even if it only appears at night.
1 c water
1/4 light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. white vinegar
9 c popped pop corn
tiny white marshmellow pieces
black licorice cut up into pieces
red vines cut into little pices
mix together and sit down and enjoy the most creative, stunningly original voice in fiction in years. A magical circus comes to town and sucks the reader in from the get go. I did not want this book to end and cannot wait for the author's next venture. I don't want to give anything away except to say the characters are heartbreaking, original, sensual - and I love all things circus - even if it only appears at night.
