The First Wave

Comments (0) By Ernest Hardy Wednesday, Jul 21 2010

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Although now swathed in nostalgic longing and/or hipster appropriation, the art of burlesque was once a vibrant, multitiered cultural enterprise — escapist family entertainment for the working class, an erotic getaway for men of all classes, and a carefully constructed art form. Leslie Zemeckis' slightly ramshackle but utterly entertaining Behind the Burly Q is a painstakingly researched love letter to the women and men who once made up the community of burlesque performers. While the documentary could be a little more tightly edited, its treasure trove of vintage photographs and performance footage is enough to make historians and fans of classic erotica swoon. The film's visual component is complemented by insightful talking heads (retired performers as well as feminist scholars), who map a fascinating evolution of the form while filling in the backstories of the performers. It's the latter — ranging from horrifying stories of poverty, violence, and abuse to professional and artistic triumphs — that really pull in viewers. While icons such as Blaze Starr, Tempest Storm, and Dixie Evans (the Marilyn Monroe of burlesque) are given ample screen time, Gypsy Rose Lee, the biggest crossover success, is not only given a relatively brief mention but is also bitchily (and very entertainingly) ripped to shreds by folks who knew her.
July 22-25, 4 & 6 p.m., 2010