Patti Lynn of the House of Exotics

Patti Lynn, a Girl of the House of Exotics - Baltimore, Maryland - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• Patti Lynn -- big 11x17 print
  

I could not find any online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Patti Lynn, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

Get your "Patti Lynn" prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of sexy Classic Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Harmony Theatre - Melody Burlesk Theater - NY

Just got the latest e-newsletter from the Museum of Sex, and it included a bit of history about the Harmony Theatre in New York.

The Harmony Theatre

The Harmony Theatre, (previously known as the Melody Burlesk) was considered one of the greatest and most titillating burlesque theaters of its time. Located at Broadway and 48th Street in Manhattan in the 1980s and early '90s, the Harmony Theatre paid tribute to the old traditions of striptease.

From its Times Square location, featuring a T-shaped runway, complete nudity, and well known strippers and porn stars headlining each show, the Harmony was the essence of burlesque, where exotic dancing combined golden era burlesque with more sexually explicit routines.

The Harmony Theatre entertained, enchanted, and excited patrons from all over New York City. One of the longest-running strip establishments in the area, it was closed down in the early 90s during Mayor Giuliani's raid against sex in Times Square.

The Harmony Theatre lives on in the collections of Museum of Sex, where a number of artifacts that include raunchy and provocative photographs, original signage and promotional materials, as well as costumes literally drenched with the sweat of the dancers, are included in the collection.

Please note: The Harmony Theatre Collection is not currently on view.
Photo courtesy of Harmony Theatre

One of these days, I have got to get to NY, and check out the Museum of Sex's research library and artifact collection!


The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Nejla Ates - Belly Dancer - The Exquisite Turkish Delight

Nejla Ates Belly Dancer - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• A couple of her record covers.
  
• Nejla Ates -- big 11x17 print for sale
  
  

There's some very detailed bio info on Nejla's bio page on the GLAMOUR GIRLS OF THE SILVERSCREEN, that covers many of her torrid romantic affairs. It makes for very interesting reading.

She was born Necla Batir, in 1932 in Romania, and by 1952, she was dancing at the Casino de Paris. Soon she was famous as “The Exquisite Turkish Delight”, and in 1953 she was performing at the Lou Walters' Latin Quarter in New York.

Nejla even had a feud with Rose La Rose. See my post about Hope Diamond for some juicy info about how Nejla broke up one of Hope's marriages. And apparently one of Nejla's beaus dumped her for Burlesque Stripper Lily Lamont!

Here's a link to a great video clip of Nejla's belly dance in the 1955 film, Son of Sinbad.

YouTube - Nejla Ates (Son of Sinbad , 1955)

After many romances, marriages, divorces, and a couple of "drug overdoses", in April 2005, Nejla died, at age 73, in hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.

I have many more Nejla Ates items in my shop -- here's a pic of some of them:

See all of my great prints today in my online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, with 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from my huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Leona Beldini - aka Hope Diamond, Stripper?

It just might be that the recently-arrested Leona Beldini was once an exotic dancer known as Hope Diamond.



When I first posted about Hope Diamond, "Anonymous" came along and commented that he had known Hope when he was a young boy.

I asked for more, but he didn't share any more info at that time.

Then a few days ago, following the series of arrests in Jersey, I rec'd an email from "Anonymous", saying: "I got a big surprise on the news last night!". No other info, except for a link to a news article about the big New Jersey political corruption bust, with Leona Beldini's photo. Curious, I tried to find out more...

------------------

Here's a recent article about Leona Beldini, which has a photo of Leona Beldini, and info about her arrest. Below the article there are reader's comments that allude to rumors that Leona was Hope Diamond.

----------------------

Digging a little deeper, I found a comment posted on another discussion forum [note: it has since been removed] where "Anonymous" wrote about Leona - here's an excerpt:

"... WOW, I just saw Leona Beldini arrested on the news. She is (was?) the Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, NJ for a while now... let me share this little tidbit, and a few of you may actually have heard of her before and not realized it is the same person- Hope 'Diamond' was her Stage name. Hope was one of that last stronghold Burlesque Gals before said art dissolved. ..."

"Anonymous" went on to say: "... Beldini is her ex-husband, drummer for The Morris Naton Trio through the 60s. Any one in the Jersey area back then and doing Jazz clubs may well have heard Al Beldini play. The Fountain in Palisades Park was one place I remember, I was way young, but got dragged in tow often. My Mom and she [Hope/Leona] swapped watching each other's kids. So her son and I spend a lot of time age 7-9ish, etc

Hope, when I was a kid was HOT HOT HOT!! Her act included a fake bubble bathtub, bubble machine and pasties... There was a poster of her in stage regalia in a sidewalk glass marquee well into the 80s, I used to show my friends on NYC jaunts as teens. ..."

------------------------

I kept digging, and came up with a couple supportive-ish info-tidbits that back the story up.

According to the book "Burlesque" by Jane Briggeman, Hope Diamond graduated from high school in Princeton, New Jersey, so the location fits.



And this tid-bit from famous Burlesque Stripper / Belly Dancer, Nejla Ates bio-page adds a little more credence to the babysitting comment:

"... 5 April 61 -- Hope Diamond wins a legal separation from her husband in New York on grounds that he deserted her for Nejla.

Hope Diamond and Bobby Colt have a one-year-old son. ..."

-----------------------------

That's what I've found out, so far. Anyone with more info, please email me, or leave a comment.

[Note: This piece was edited on 8-6-09 at the request of "Anonymous".]



The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Hope Diamond - The Gem of Exotics

HOPE DIAMOND - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• From my archives.

Couldn't find out much about Hope, just a couple of info-bits.

• Here's a tidbit from a google search -- Printed in the Daily Student of June 15, 1947

"... Eddie Kaplan has unearthed a new strip by the name and title of Hope Diamond - The Gem of the Exotics ..."

• From my archives, with newspaper ad. She was billed as "The Gem of Exotics".

• From my archives. One of Hope's promo brochures.

It seems that Hope Diamond lost a hubby to another stripper, the famous Belly Dancer Nejla Ates.

Here's some info from Nejla's bio page on the GLAMOUR GIRLS OF THE SILVERSCREEN:

• October 60 -- [Nejla] will figure in the divorce case tossed by stripper Hope Diamond against her husband, crooner Bobby Colt.
• 5 April 61 -- Hope Diamond wins a legal separation from her husband in New York on grounds that he deserted her for Nejla. Hope Diamond and Bobby Colt have a one-year-old son.

According to the book Burlesque By Jane Briggeman, Hope Diamond was from New Jersey.

A few more pix from my archives...

• Hope Diamond The Gem of the Exotics -- big 11x17 print for sale

Be sure to read my post: Leona Beldini - aka Hope Diamond, Stripper?, for the surprising update on Hope Diamond.

If you have any more info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

See more of my great prints today in my online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, with 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from my huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Patrice Star - The Cockney Cutie - England's Loveliest Showgirl

Patrice Star- Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• Patrice #1 -- big 11x17 print
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  Today Burlesque Babes presents the lovely Patrice Star, billed as "England's Loveliest Showgirl", and "The Cockney Cutie".
  
  Alas, I could not find any other online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Patrice, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!
  
  Get your "Patrice" prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of sexy Classic Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Pat Meschelle

Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• Pat Meschelle #1 -- big 11x17 print
  
  
  Today Burlesque Babes presents the lovely Pat Meschelle.
  
  
  I only found one online reference to Pat -- a very interesting one, indeed, for Burlesque history fans.
  
  
  The Charles H. McCaghy Collection of Exotic Dance From Burlesque to Clubs
  


• Dr. Charles McCaghy put together a massive collection of Burlesque photos and memorabilia, and there is a photo of 100's of girls, (including our Pat Meschelle) in the collection.

• Dr. McCaghy donated it all to The Ohio State University, where you can go and view it. I think you need to make an appointment first.
  


• No pix on the website, it's just a list of what's in this impressive collection (some of which he bought from me on ebay a few years ago). But just reading the list gives you an idea of the incredible depth of the collection.

• There's even our favorite Daily Burlesque blogger in: " Box 22 / Folder 47 Weldon, Jo “Boobs” – Press Clippings "
  

I could not find any other online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Pat Meschelle,so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

Get this print, and see 100's more Sexy Burlesque Strippers in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Pat "Amber" Halladay

Pat "Amber" Halladay - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• Pat Amber Halladay #2 -- big 11x17 photo print

• Pat Amber Halladay #3 -- big 11x17 photo print

Today Burlesque Babes presents the lovely Pat Amber Halladay.

• She was recently featured in a photography exhibit (Oct. 13, 2007) at the George Eastman House (of Eastman-Kodak): The Tease: Burlesque Performers from the 1950s & '60s
  



• I found a used bookseller with a copy of:
• Sheer Magazine 1959 Vol. 1 No. 1 ( Lots of Cheesecake Parade of Near Nude Women ) Adult Entertainment, Pat Amber Halladay on Cover laying on Diving Board by Pool in Heels & Bikini, Las Vegas Showgirl Edition, The Shows Dunes Sans Souci, El Rancho Vegas --has by article by or about Pat Halladay, Susan Woods, Larry Elliott, Burlesque on Las Vegas Strip

Get your "Pat Amber Halladay", and other Sexy Burlesque Stripper prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of sexy Classic Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Wild Beauty - Pantera

Pantera - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• Pantera #2 -- Big 11x17 Photo Print

I could not find any online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Pantera,so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

Get your "Pantera" prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of sexy Classic Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Paisley Pop

Paisley Pop- Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• Paisley Pop #1 -- big 11x17 print

Today Burlesque Babes presents the lovely Paisley Pop.

I could not find any online references to Paisly, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

Get your "Paisley Pop" prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of sexy Classic Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Nina Knight & Nina Sansone

Nina Knight & Nina Sansone - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

Today Burlesque Babes presents 2 lovelies -- .

• From my archives.

• Nina Knight -- big 11x17 print for sale

• From my archives.

• Nina Sansone -- big 11x17 print for sale

I could not find any bio/history or other online references to any vintage Burlesque strippers named Nina Knight or Nina Sansone, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

See more of my great prints today in my online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, with 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from my huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

The Goddess NEPTUNA

Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• From my archives.
  
• From my archives, with newspaper ad.
  
• Neptuna #1 Coffee Mug for sale
  
• Neptuna #1 -- big 11x17 print for sale

I could not find any bio/history or other online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Neptuna, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

See more of my great prints today in my online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, with 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from my huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Nejla Ates - Belly Dancer - The Exquisite Turkish Delight

Nejla Ates Belly Dancer - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• A couple of her record covers.
  
• Nejla Ates -- big 11x17 print for sale
  
  

There's some very detailed bio info on Nejla's bio page on the GLAMOUR GIRLS OF THE SILVERSCREEN, that covers many of her torrid romantic affairs. It makes for very interesting reading.

She was born Necla Batir, in 1932 in Romania, and by 1952, she was dancing at the Casino de Paris. Soon she was famous as “The Exquisite Turkish Delight”, and in 1953 she was performing at the Lou Walters' Latin Quarter in New York.

Nejla even had a feud with Rose La Rose. See my post about Hope Diamond for some juicy info about how Nejla broke up one of Hope's marriages. And apparently one of Nejla's beaus dumped her for Burlesque Stripper Lily Lamont!

Here's a great video clip of Nejla's belly dance in the 1955 film, Son of Sinbad.

YouTube - Nejla Ates (Son of Sinbad , 1955)

After many romances, marriages, divorces, and a couple of "drug overdoses", in April 2005, Nejla died, at age 73, in hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.

I have many more Nejla Ates items in my shop -- here's a pic of some of them:

See all of my great prints today in my online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, with 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from my huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Monica Stevens - Cafe Society's Favorite

Monica Stevens - Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• From my archives, with newspaper ad.

• From my archives, with hand written letter.

• From my archives.
• Says she was "Cafe Society's Favorite"
• and "Pet of the 400 Set"

• Monica Stevens #1 -- big 11x17 print

I could not find any bio/history or other online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Monica Stevens, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

See more great prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

BURLYCON Update News

Here's the latest updates on BURLYCON -- these are pix of their newsletter, so the links aren't clickable. Just go to their website for more info: http://www.burlyconseattle.com/

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Mona Leesa

Mona Leesa- Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

• From my archives
  
• Mona Leesa -- big 11x17 print

I could not find any bio/history or other online references to any vintage Burlesque stripper named Mona Leesa, so if you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

See more great prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com

Mitzi Dore - Mimi Dore

Vintage Burlesque Dancer Stripper Photos

Just "Click the Pix" to see a larger view.

Today Burlesque Babes presents the lovely Mitzi Dore, who also performed as Mimi Dore.

• From my archives (click for larger view).
  

• Mimi Dore -- big 11x17 print

• From my archives (click for larger view).

I could not find any bio/history other than her name on lists of performers, circa 1950s. If you have any info, memories, or stories to share, please email me. Thanks!

See more great prints today in our online shop-- BURLESQUE BABES, where we bring you 100's of Sexy Burlesque Stripper photos printed from our huge vintage photograph collection.

The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com