Blond and beautiful; Lili St. Cyr shimmied across the countryrsquo;s nightclubs as one of the centuryrsquo;s great sirens. She inspired future femme fatales including Marilyn Monroe; Madonna and Dita Von Teese. She helped cultivate the modern-day impression of striptease. And; with stage routines featuring themes from fantasy; history and literature; she scandalized and seduced millions; influencing pop culture for decades.Gilded Lili: Lili St. Cyr and the Striptease Mystique explores the life of the last real queen of burlesque. Born into a poor family; abandoned by her parents; and raised by her grandmother; she used her ambition; beauty; and charm to escape her small-town life. Upon becoming the top burlesque dancer of her era; she amassed legions of famous fans; including Betty Grable; Frank Sinatra; Ronald Reagan; and Humphrey Bogart. During her reign; one reporter called her “the rich manrsquo;s Gypsy Rose Leerdquo; and Marilyn Monroe took cues from her acts. After she retired; Mike Wallace wrote that his television interview with her remained one of the most fascinating he had ever conducted.The private Lili was considerably more troubled; however. Despite being married six times; Lili found love elusive; she was involved in affairs with wealthy businessmen and rumored to have dalliances with celebrities including Orson Welles; Victor Mature and Yul Brynner. She had as many as ten abortions; attempted suicide several times; and became reliant on sleeping pills and; ultimately; heroin.A searing look at American sexuality in the twentieth century; Gilded Lili immortalizes the legend with verve and grace. Lilirsquo;s era – which see-sawed between McCarthyism and puritanical humor – is presented with vibrancy; intelligence; and commentary on the ever-changing dynamics between sex and commerce. Based on exhaustive research and filled with rare photographs; Gilded Lili reveals a portrait of a woman who made the century sizzle.
#1048984 in eBooks 2016-02-09 2016-02-09File Name: B01KXL80ZW
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Lots of good insight into the shows that blotted early TV in ...By Bobby LBeen so long since Elmer the Elephant and Garfield Goose have been gone that one forgets the names. Not to mention Family Classics Theater. And how about Romper Room and Lunchtime Little Theater (the precursor) to Bozos Circus. Lots of good insight into the shows that blotted early TV in Chicago. Who knew that all the sky writing and incredible build up lead to Ray Rayners "Dick Tracy Show" ? Too often the ad libs between Bozo. Sandy. Wizzo. Cookie and Oliver O. Oliver went over the kids heads. to the delight of adults who happened to be watching. Read about it here.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Thanks for the MemoriesBy E. JarolinWhat a wonderful collection of memories for Chicago Baby Boomers. Reading through this book brought them all back. From the shows I had never really forgotten. "Garfield Goose Friends" (I still can sing "Jingle Bells" in Latin thanks to Frazier Thomas) to those I had. like "The Blue Fairy". The authors explain the who. how and why of most of these shows with plenty of anecdotes on the behind the scenes highjinks and problems.While coverage is uneven. some shows get their own chapters while others get perhaps a paragraph or two. one feels that all the information still available was researched and presented. More photos would have been nice. particularly of the shorter lived shows. Sadly. the tapes of the vast majority of episodes are lost forever. as they were taped over in short order. the stations never dreaming of the future gold mine they were destroying. Sad also is confirmation of the passing away of so many of these wonderful hosts and performers. They werent just grainy bw images in a box. somehow they became our friends. Rest in peace. gentlemen and ladies.So. if youre a Chicago kid who grew up in the 50s or 60s pick up this book and bring back the memories.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Little Boys Loving MemoryBy Gary JonesI would not presume to write an actual review here. I just wanted to say that this book does meet my expectations. I expected to want even more and I was right. I enjoyed reading this loving memory of the authors and everyone they interviewed. There were many things of which I was. not surprisingly. unaware that went on in Chicago television. particularly behind the scenes and behind the camera. Thank you to everyone involved.
