Sunday, January 10, 2016

Gypsy on Tour

Gypsy Rose Lee toured with The Royal American Show Carnival for 6 months in 1949, and was paid $10,000 a week! This photo set was taken in Memphis, Tennessee in May of that year. Photos taken by LIFE staffer George Skadding.



















1 comment:

Miss Jan said...

It is interesting how very different Ms. Lee appears in the photos than in the "artistic" graphics used to promote her. In contrast with the sultry come-hither commercial artwork, her photos show her to be fresh-faced, young looking and even almost "girl next door" (despite the alluring costumes). Perhaps the graphics version of this legendary burlesque star were meant to appeal to those very basic instincts. What a pleasant surprise to find a lovely, happily feminine visage above the costuming!