Striptease: From Gaslight to Spotlight

by Jessica Glasscock

Striptease is the history of unapologetic fun aimed not at the head, not at the heart or even the stomach, but south of all three. Beginning with the birth of the striptease in the mid-19th century and culminating with its garish heyday in the 1950s, this book charts the evolution of the infamous bump and grind, which is, at its simplest, a pretty girl in a pretty dress ... and then not. The only fully illustrated book available on the subject, Striptease tells the history of this provocative form of stagecraft from its birth in vaudeville and burlesque through the "take it all off" attitude for which the term "striptease" was coined. Along the way, the book highlights such performers as Isadora Duncan, Loie Fuller, Maud Allen, Gypsy Rose Lee, Tempest Storm, and Blaze Starr. The witty and well-informed text is illustrated with an array of titillating images, including never-before-published ephemera and illicitly photographed performances in progress. Whether revealing ankles or breasts, playing peek-a-boo or going the full monty, Striptease pays tribute to the women who made a vocation of their sex appeal and shimmied their way into American culture.

Genres: History, Photography, Nonfiction, Art

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Annelisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you hug closely to your chest because you don't want anyone asking any naughty questions about why you're reading it. (Or that might just be me. Anyway.) I saw this in the library and immediately snatched it up. It's a medium-sized read, which can be finished in a day, and it isn't overwhelmingly dense, either. I enjoyed Glasscock's writing style and tongue-in-cheek humor, and I always appreciate when authors actually write their own detailed captions to pictures. She does a good job of tracing the development (and eventual decline) of what we know as a striptease from the Victorian era until now. There is a fascinating history here, one that isn't as simplistic or one-sided as it might initially seem, and I think that the book does expose the reader to the subtleties behind the tassles and clear heels. However, there's something about this book that still doesn't feel complete. Although it is evident that a lot of research went into constructing the text, I think it could benefit from more length, in large part to fill in the gaps and historical anecdotes/incidents that are mentioned briefly or alluded to in the text. For example, there are a number of fascinating women mentioned here, all of whom contributed an important aspect to the development of this art form (and yes, I do consider it to be an art form.) They're even listed by name on the back of the book's jacket. But rather than provide little half- or even full-page bios about them, they're only discussed in relationship to their role in the striptease's history. This makes sense on one level, but I believe that the mini-bio approach, with accompanying references if available, might give readers a better idea of who these fascinating women were. Another drawback of the text is that unintentionally or not, it does take a very Eurocentric viewpoint in charting the striptease's history. There are notes about the incorporation of Orientalism in the construction of different acts, dances, and costumes, as well as the problematic nature of this trend. But all of the key players mentioned in the book are white women, with little to no mention of women of other ethnicities, and the role that they played. Surveying the intersection of race, womanhood, and the allure of the striptease is an important part of this narrative. White men were not the only ones looking for this sort of entertainment, and we know that different ethnicities of women have entered this profession, and not only during the modern period. The book was still enjoyable, but it's difficult to overlook this particular omission. I'll give it between 3.5 and 4 stars. Oh, and as an endnote, there's a particular photograph in here that has to be the cleverest use of doves that I've seen.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed up until the 50's which is when I was particularly interested and then it stopped. Very well written and researched and enjoyable. I wish it was longer.

[J C Mitchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book about the history of burlesque, leading you through the ages with text and photos.

Wonderful and useful if you are interested in burlesque and/or theatrical history.

[Jeanne T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the other book titled "striptease". This has some nice photos, but it's not very well written.

[Erik Swedlund]

Striptease : From Gaslight To Spotlight by Jessica Glasscock (2003)

[Trav S.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://travsd.wordpress.com/2015/06/...-