Burlesque: Legendary Stars of the Stage

Founder of The Golden Days of Burlesque Historical Society, Salt Lake City-based Briggeman presents a host of lost stars who made small stages across the country come to life. The book has an appropriately low-budget feel, with an awkward layout, a cheesy font and too much information about the author's involvement with her subject; all of these elements give it a homey charm, much like the lowbrow intimacy of burlesque itself, where a relatively unknown woman could project her sexuality into a room and light it up brighter than the local coal-burning electric plant--without removing all of her clothing. Briggeman details the mechanics of the burlesque world, which was ostensibly designed to bring a touch of glamour and sizzle to places that had little of either. Thus""stock"" burlesque evolved, where city performers toured""circuit theatres during the usual summer layoffs."" She showcases the Historical Society's extensive memorabilia, from head shots to issues of""Cavalcade of Burlesque,"" and then profiles stars like""Val de Val,""""Dee Milo"" and""Mitzi,"" some of whom she has located recently and interviewed for the book. Delightfully basic, this book, with photos on nearly every page, is clearly a labor of love.