This short, silent film from the 1940s features “Glamorous, Exciting Stars” — pin-ups, dancers and burlesque acts. It was one of many films made during this era which were called “smokers”, and ranged from harmless films like this one filled with posing, to more raunchy XXX movies. At 1:22 the film includes a segment featuring Josette, the “darling of the American Army in Africa and Italy” who was “photographed in Oran, North Africa in 1943”. Josette was a carnival act who did a stunt where she hung by her teeth. She also undressed down to a bikini, and could spin in the air with her leg up while still dangling from her teeth. Normally in her live act, Josette would eventually remove her g-string, although that does not happen in this film.

At 5:41 is Joe Bonica’s “Cheesecake Follies”. Bonica, who made a living by producing films like this one and offered a mail order “movie of the month” club, was a pioneer in the business. This film features Hollywood starlets Nancy Marlowe, Leslie Charles and others posing at the pool of the Ambassador Hotel. At 9 minutes you will see Jean Brown, one of the “Blue Book Models”. Their ranks included a young Marilyn Monroe, put on shows at this location during the war. The film also includes Nini Shipley putting on a memorable underwater mermaid dance and shows Miss America of 1946 Marilyn Buferd modeling swim suits at Catalina Island. Stunning 6′ marvel Dorothy Van Nuys is seen at the 11:30 mark. Dorothy was the official Camel Cigarette girl in 1941 and seemed off to a promising career, but it fizzled and she ended up becoming a modeling coach.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com