Stripping Gypsy: The Life of Gypsy Rose Lee

by Noralee Frankel

Whenever stripper Gypsy Rose Lee encountered public criticism, she spoke frankly in her own defense. "Thousands have seen me at my--ah--best; and thousands have made no objections."

Noralee Frankel's lively biography, Stripping Gypsy, the first ever published about the highly mythologized Gypsy, examines the struggles Lee faced in making a lucrative and unconventional career for herself while maintaining a sense of dignity and social value. Frankel shows that the famous Miss
Lee was an enigma, clearly struggling with her choices and her desire to be respected and legitimized. Those who know Gypsy Rose Lee only from the musical and film based on her rise to stardom will be surprised by what they uncover in Stripping Gypsy . In all ways, Lee trafficked in the
she was at once sex object, intellectual, and activist. In addition to her highly successful strip-tease act and film career, she published two mystery novels and a memoir, wrote two plays, and showed her original artwork in famed Modern Art-impresario Peggy Guggenheim's gallery. Lee also gained
notoriety for her participation in liberal politics. As photographer Arnold Newman said, "She was a lady, a brilliant, bright woman who was the friend of many writers and intellectuals." Though she wasn't above using her femininity to full advantage, Lee aspired to much more than admiration for her
physical beauty.

Frankel places Lee's life in social and political context while detailing a fascinating entertainment career, in which Lee created and recreated her own identity to fit changing times. Frankel's biography transcends the sensationalism of stripping and asks the public to see the woman beneath the
costume, a woman who always kept a little of herself shrouded in mystery.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Womens, Feminism, Sexuality

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[frumpburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is yet another book I got to review, and, happily, it's one of the few that I'm really glad I did. We all know the name "Gypsy Rose Lee," but I didn't know anything about her whatsoever before starting this book. Genius that I am, I didn't even realize that she was the person the movie Gypsy was based on. So opening this book came as a sort of revelation: the intriguing and sometimes sad story of a woman who was able to succeed an emotionally abusive, mentally ill stage mother and make a successful career for herself--in burlesque. What struck me throughout the bio was its protagonists wit, intelligence, and strength. Although she certainly fell victim to selfishness and callousness, Gypsy Rose Lee was a smart woman who had as much control as humanly possible over her image--and, in a profession like stripping, which she went back to numerous times because of failures in other fields--that's saying a lot.

[Sherwood Smith]

I've made it about halfway through. I've waited for this book for a year; the scholarship is superb, the writing aimed at the popular audience (some things explained several times). I find myself setting it aside not because of any lack on Frankel's part, but because I really wanted to read more about Lee's childhood and teen years, and her relationship with June Havoc. I'm not as interested in the later years.

Reading about childhoods on the vaudeville circuit has been an on-going interest since I was a kid.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a complex and interesting woman she was - author, playwright, friend to many famous artists and writers, collector of art, union activist, actress, TV personality, anti-Fascist, supporter of troops, animal advocate, fisherman.

And she was entirely self invented and self supporting. Her childhood was a nightmare - the portrait of her mother in Gypsy was so softened as to be unrecognizable. He mother was greedy, neurotic, violent and a blackmailer, for starters. She was convinced that June was the pretty, smart, talented daughter, and that Gypsy would never amount to anything. That didn't stop her from extorting money from Gypsy as long as she lived, and threatening her on a regular basis.

It's no wonder that Gypsy had her own shortcomings when she became a mother. The story of her efforts to escape from the world of burlesque into a more respectable career is full of irony. Legitimate theater and movies were more acceptable, but the earnings couldn't compete and she was supporting her horrid mother, her aunt and her grandmother. So her family responsibilities kept her taking her clothes off.

She was a target of 50's moralists on all fronts - the Catholic Legion of Decency was after her for moral reasons, and HUAC had her blacklisted from TV for years as a rumored Communist sympathizer - in spite of all the time and money she had spent entertaining American troops over the years.

The book is a well researched and fascinating picture of the evolution of women's roles as well as Gypsy's life.
I was astonished to realize that Gypsy was born 5 years before my mother (who seemed immeasurably more old fashioned in comparison).

[Annie Garvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, for some reason my rating isn't working. This biography is a three. My two all-time favorite biographies are "Gypsy & Me" by Eric Lee Preminger. I liked it so much I bought it from the withdrawn bookshelves. I cannot believe that anyone could get rid of this book and another withdrawn book that I didn't snatch was "We Will Always Live in Beverly Hills: Growing Up Crazy in Hollywood" by Ned Wynn. These are two of the greatest autobiographies. The only two biographies that have ever made me weep were "Gypsy & Me: And "Mrs. Pat: The Life of Mrs. Patrick Campbell" by Margot Peter. These women had huge egos and huge issues. I thought that Frankel didn't do Gypsy justice. In the Preface she said that she sometimes didn't like Gypsy. I didn't see it in the narration. I didn't like Gypsy either by reading her son's account. She was cheap, monetarily, but she was giving of herself. But at the end of his narrative, you knew that he loved her. God knows what this woman went through and her sister June who is still alive. What bothered me about this book was the Preface. Most readers don't read the Preface . . . sorry. I do. Don't say that you sometimes didn't like Gypsy and then let it drop. Another thing is that I think that the writer is my age. As a younger reader I would say, "Who is Mike Todd?" From reading her son's biography, Mike Todd was the love of her life. What happened to him? I know but I'm interested and old. What happen to June? What happened to Aunt Belle? Like the mystery writer Gypsy was, Frankel has to tie up loose ends.

[MAP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Gypsy Rose Lee's memoir [mumble mumble] years ago in college. Recently I realized that there were now 2 biographies about her that were probably more accurate than her entertaining but glossy book, this book and American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee. After looking at the reviews, I noticed several people mentioned that this book was dry, but American Rose was downright confusing because of switching back and forth between times. So I chose dry over confusing.

I think I would still choose dry over confusing, but man was it dry. Frankel definitely falls into the trap of thinking if she found a fact, it needed to be included. I skimmed several chapters because my eyes were going crossed. Frankly, as fictionalized as it is, at this time Gypsy: Memoirs of America's Most Celebrated Stripper is still probably the most entertaining book about the controversial, ebullient, witty, and ferocious woman known as Gypsy Rose Lee.

[Tamara Vallejos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for Gypsy Rose Lee's story, but only two for the writing, which was clunky, stilted, and impersonal. I probably should have just read Lee's own autobiography, huh?

[Tyler Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun and easy read. I came into it knowing nothing about Gypsy, apart from the Natalie Wood film, which turns out is nothing but lies. I wasn’t surprised by this as Hollywood is no stranger to fabricating reality. It’s a shame too because Gypsy’s real life is fascinating. I enjoyed the power she yielded as a woman in the earlier part of the 20th century. She was way before her time in many aspects. Her costumes, her acts, her beliefs, and her work show that she had more to offer than just a pretty face. While reading, I found myself thinking about artists that are able to preserve throughout time, despite their age or career. I have no doubt Gypsy would be just as big a star today as she was during her time. She was always able to roll with the punches and somehow she came out ahead every time. That’s a strong character worth celebrating and I’m so glad I know more about her. Although many events in this book happened years ago, Gypsy’s struggle to rise the ranks of stardom is completely relatable today. She had plenty of Weinsteins to maneuver around, she raised her son on her own (albeit not because she had to) while still maintaining her career, and she found longevity in a time where women were deemed “spoiled goods” by the age of 35. Not only is Gypsy’s true story an amazing tale of progress and innovation, but it’s also an inspiration.

[Lani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having already read American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee, I wasn't sure how different this book would really be. Ultimately, I think I enjoyed Karen Abbott (Author)'s writing style more even though she didn't reveal as much as this biography did.

That said, this book did cover Gypsy's burlesque career in more detail, and followed her up to her death. I really had no idea that Gypsy had had her own talkshow (twice!). I think this biography covered more of Gypsy's personal flaws while still showing that she was a strong and independent woman. Many of the decisions she made - both business and personal - were far FAR ahead of their time.

[Dkeslin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The star who made the striptease legit. It was an elegant act that she developed. She was really more of an intellectual, not bawdy or cheap. She rocketed herself to Hollywood and the screen from her humble beginnings in vaudville. Interesting for Hollywood history buffs.

[Joe Mossa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very smart lady,good business woman,ahead of her time. she reminded me of madonna. go to YOU TUBE,type in gypsy rose lee and watch a 5 minute video from one of her strips. it is great as she was.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This appeared to be a well researched book. I read the first few chapters and realized I knew a lot of Gypsy's early life. I skipped to the last chapter to learn the rest. The photos added an extra dimension to her history. This book is for readers who aren't as familiar with Gypsy.

[Kristina Hoerner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too dry and academic for me. I don't know how the author managed to turn the life of one of the most famous strippers into boring drivel but this one did.

[Darcie K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting, but wow--this book was badly written. Read for the info but skim, folks.

[Leslea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tantalizing life bored down. Jealous academic puffery written by an unfocused fan. Loads of potential, if only it had been handled
As creative non-fiction.

[Lil Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting life of Gypsy, but the the writing lost me towards the end.

[Diane Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gypsy Rose Lee perpetuated many myths about her own life, but the author ahs done a good job of trying to only present verifiable facts. A very readable description of a remarkable life.

[Marnie Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a feeling that Gypsy's life was much more interesting than this book

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noralee Frankel delivers a very thorough, even-minded feminist take on Gypsy Rose Lee's life and career. She wisely avoids treating gossip as fact while looking at Lee in relation to the social construction of woman through the three decades of her stripping career. She also creates a fascinating look at a woman whose generosity and social commitment contrasted with her strained relationship with her son. It's a fascinating read, though I wish she had spent more time on Gypsy's film career, mainly because I wanted to learn more about her work on "Screaming Mimi."

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a woman in the early 1900's who had a mean momage and eventually moved into disrobing. She gains fame and movies to Hollywood where he past experiences baggage prevent her from additional fame. She returns to what she knows, marry divorce, remarry divorce, perform for troops, bare a son. Occasionally insightful, at other times it lumbers. co-stars and plain old-fashion name droppin'. B/W images, index. RIP.

[Linda Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, the amount of research that went into this book was phenomenal. The only thing I knew about Gypsy going into this book was from the movie and the play Gypsy. She was so much more than that! The mental illness in the book was fundamental to the development of the personalities of Gypsy, her family and her son. How she worked around it was an essential part of her story.

[Vincenzo Ridente · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inside look at the life of famed stripper Gypsy Rose Lee a great book to read if you want to know all about the most famous stripper who ever lived

[Jessica López-Barkl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I read this on my adventure in China, and there's nothing like reading about a scandalous/legendary figure of the United States, while being in China...

I love the musical GYPSY so I was instantly intrigued by the title and the book cover, and the author did just what she promised...she episodically stripped Gypsy Rose Lee until there was nothing left. I liked reading about her and seeing her lovely photos and learning more about her...I just was a little turned off by the episodic style...however, that was what was promised via the title and that's just what the reader got, so...I guess I can't really complain.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long before Madonna, there was Gypsy Rose Lee, who set the standard for self-invention and then re-invention. She made her own rules and lived by them, including carefully deciding who was to be the father of her child. Ultimately her early life - or her published version of it, anyway - became the basis for GYPSY, regarded as the finest musical of the twentieth century's second half.

[Shanyn Money]

About 1/3 the way through (Kindle format)- a pretty fascinating life.

[mr. kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this just after I read Gypsy's autobiography and I really enjoyed reflecting on the constructed nature of it.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gypsy was a very interesting lady, to say the least.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed finding out that Gypsy wasn't really in a sense a Gypsy. My mother used to tell us all the time, YOU LOOK LIKE GYPSY ROSE LEE, but I she didn't really KNOW who she was..... Good Book!

[Marianne]

Didn't finish. Too presumptuous on author's part. I want more facts.

[Kathy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story by Noralee Frankel. I remember sometime ago watching a movie that had the teasing stripper but didn't know anything about it. Now after reading about Gypsy Rose Lee and her struggles with fame and family I truly understand more about that lady I saw on the television.