The Girl on the Swing

Revisiting Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge reminded me of a life goal of mine, to be partially employed as a girl on a swing.
Nicole Kidman spends a lot of time on swings in this movie:

This is, of course, inspired by actual cabaret shows and trapeze artists, but the symbolism is appropriate in this film.
The girl on the swing is the untouchable object of desire, flying high above the audience's heads. It's an elite post but it's also a lonely one. She is isolated from her peers, and society, in her position as the coveted sexual object, a pretty pet.

Backstage at the Latin Quarter by Gordon Parks, Life Magazine (1958)

Erte

So it's a bit sad, but nonetheless it's an image that has a powerful hold on our collective consciousness, bridging the trapeze and the even more depressing, but fetishized, woman in a (bird) cage. The image of the bird cage is an interesting one, but I wouldn't want to be stuck inside.
But then I hate seeing birds in cages.

Josephine Baker in Zou Zou, 1934

Louise Brooks, “Prix de Beauté” 1930

Louise again

60's Go-Go Dancers in a cage 

Then there's Dita...

And Catherine D'Lish...to name a few modern performers that embrace the cage.

Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge

The Tango scene from Moulin Rouge got me thinking about the incredible sets and costumes in that film. It's not my favorite movie, but it's visually stunning. I would love to spend a couple of days drinking absinthe in this world. 

It's difficult to find good quality images from this film online, especially of this bedroom set, which I loved because it looks like the inside of a valentine!

I can't help but think that the scalloped design on Satine's Diamonds costume are a nod to Marilyn Monroe, who sung Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend,.

Marilyn in Bus Stop

This movie reminds me of my lifetime goal, to be at least partially employed as the girl on a swing at a glamorous club. But they don't make clubs like they used to...

Danse Apache

I came across this picture today of the Danse Apache c.1920. "It is signed “To Mother and Daddy from La Verne”. The “Dance Apache” popular in Paris and to a lesser extent in American vaudeville and cinema, c.1900–1940 featured a menacing male partner violently throwing the female around the stage, choking, pulling hair, and other abusive acts."

What in the....

Wikipedia definiton- "Apache, or La Danse Apache, Bowery Waltz, Apache Turn, Apache Dance and Tough Dance is a highly dramatic dance associated in popular culture with Parisian street culture at the beginning of the 20th century. The name of the dance (pronounced ah-PAHSH) is taken from the term for Parisian underworld of the time. 

The dance is sometimes said to reenact a violent "discussion" between a pimp and a prostitute. It includes mock slaps and punches, the man picking up and throwing the woman to the ground, or lifting and carrying her while she struggles or feigns unconsciousness. Thus, the dance shares many features with the theatrical discipline of stage combat. In some examples, the woman may fight back.

In Fin de siècle Paris young members of street gangs were labelled Apaches by the press because of the ferocity of their savagery towards one another, a name taken from the native North American indigenous people , the Apache. In 1908 dancers Maurice Mouvet and Max Dearly, began to visit the low bars frequented by Apaches in a search for inspiration for new dances. They formulated the new dance from moves seen there and gave to it the name Apache. Max Dearly first performed it in 1908 in Paris at the Ambassadeurs and Maurice in Ostend at the Kursaal. A short while later, in the summer of 1908, Maurice and his partner Leona performed the dance at Maxim’s and Max Dearly made an even bigger impact with it, partnered with Mistinguett, in the Moulin Rouge show, La Revue du Moulin."

Fascinating! And people act as though violence in art is a new thing...

I thought it looked familiar and sure enough the Roxanne tango scene in Moulin Rouge has Danse Apache elements.

I don't know if it counts but one of my favorite dances from Chicago, Cell Block Tango, also has Apache elements:

Dietrich in Blonde Venus

There used to be a longer version of this online, of Dietrich actually singing "Hot Voodoo," but at least in this you can see her amazing wig! That she puts on in the middle of the set! No one tells Dietrich how to do her thing. Terrible racist overtones but I can't help but love the costumes, and the soft filter, glitter effect....Oooooooooooo. When I see old movies like this I just think, modern clubs SUCK. What I would give to hang out in a place like that!

Singing in the Rain - Costume Parade

Singing in the Rain holds up as one of the best movies ever made. Totally happy-inducing. 

The 20's as interpreted by the 50's and I want to wear all of it, especially that red-dipped fringe dress!

R.I.P. Esther Williams.

Thank you for the beauty.

An Evening With John Waters

This is from 2003? 2004? John Waters was signing autographs down the street from my work and I was determined to meet him. I took a lunch break, which extended for three hours until it was my turn to have him sign my sketchbook. He’d been signing autographs for probably 8 hours at this point and he was still so sweet and polite. He actually asked me questions, and I gave him stickers that I’d made. Then I blinked, but it was such an honor. I also like that it looks like I have my hand on his thigh. My managers were completely understanding when I returned to work 4 hours later. One does not pass up the opportunity to meet the King of Sleaze.