Burlesque may have been reclaimed but it's history is littered with the stories of real women like this . . . . . . but few perhaps as sad

Faith Bacon

In 1930, she invented the “Fan Dance” while performing at a NYC nightclub.. The following year, she was voted: “The Most Beautiful Showgirl on Broadway”. The cachet of that billing, allowed her to take her act across America.. By the end of the 40’s, it became increasingly difficult to find work. And she developed an addiction to heroin.. . .   .     .

In October of ‘56, she leapt to her death from a Chicago hotel room window while staying with a girlfriend on her sofa.  She had been virtually penniless at the time; being supported financially by family living in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was 45 years old... .  .   .     .



UPDATE: to the person who wrote to me stating that I am wrong and that Sally Rand invented the 'Fan Dance' this is merely another part of the sadness of Faith's story 

Bacon filed a lawsuit against dancer Sally Rand for stealing her routine, and demanded $375,000 in damages. Ms. Bacon claimed that Rand’s version of was merely a pale “imitation” of her own version! this doesn't seem to have been successful and may indeed have contributed to her impoverished state when she leapt to her death.

Vintage press photo dated from October of ‘38 features showgirl Faith Bacon performing her own “original” version of the Fan Dance.

For those with less prurient minds and an appreciation of all things burlesque here is a movie of Bacon at work and what a fine performance it is. Please note I consider this safe for work and for all ages, it is dance at it's most enthralling and is true artistry in human form. If anyone thinks it needs censoring here they are nuts!



However Faith is nude here and to those of a moralistic so called viewpoint do not watch it if the silhouette of the naked female form is likely to offend (once again if it does so - you are NUTS!)