Covering Media

Miscellaneous burlesque dancers as seen in BEHIND THE BURLY Q, a film by Leslie Zemeckis. A First Run Features release.

Behind the Burly Q (2010)

Opened: 04/23/2010 Limited

Trailer: Click for trailer

Genre: Documentary

Rated: Unrated

Short Synopsis

Burlesque acts were America's most popular form of live entertainment in the first half of the 20th century. After the 1960s, The art of burlesque became vilified and misunderstood, and was largely left out of our cultural history. By telling the intimate and surprising stories from its golden age through the women (and men!) who lived it, Behind the Burly Q reveals the true story of burlesque, even as it experiences a new renaissance.

Long Synopsis

Although its origins derive from France, Great Britain and Greece, burlesque became a wildly popular American form of art that thrived in the early to mid part of the 20th century. Because of the sexual innuendo and the barely-there costumes it has largely been left out of the history books.

In the 1840s burlesque was applied to a wide range of comedic plays that entertained the lower and middle classes in Great Britain. Coming to America, burlesque evolved into shows performed by scantily-clad beauties. It thrived, appealing to the masses of working class people who weekly stormed the theatres to see troupes like "The British Blondes", a bevy of beauties dressed in tights. Burlesque poked fun at the upper classes, at sex, and at what people were willing to do in the pursuit of obtaining sex. By the 1920s the old burlesque circuits closed and strip tease was introduced to offer something vaudeville and film did not.

During the Great Depression, for a dime a man could fall into a big gaudy burlesque show and forget his troubles. From theatres to nightclubs, burlesque was a raucous sexy show filled with gorgeous women, strippers, comedians, acrobats and singers. The tame by today's standards, the shows were considered risque, and most performers were looked down on as second rate.

Backed by public outrage, in 1937 New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia closed the burlesque houses in his state. The use of the word "burlesque" was outlawed in advertising. The Minsky brothers, who some say introduced nudity to the burly audiences, were so closely associated with burlesque that La Guardia banned the use of the name Minsky. Once again, burlesque changed, moving across the river to New Jersey to escape censure. Eventually comedians and musicians' parts were reduced in the shows and more strippers were brought on. By the 1960s hard-core porn was available and burlesque had died. But what happened to the thousands of performers? Where did they go?

"Behind the Burly Q" is the behind-the-scenes stories of these men and women as told by the performers themselves. For the first time ever, the performers from the golden age of burlesque relate their heartbreaking, triumphant stories of life on the road performing in the burly circuit. Many were ashamed of their past and had never talked about their experiences. Just as many had never been asked.

Director Leslie Zemeckis and producer Sheri Hellard traveled extensively across the country from the Bayous of post-Katrina Mississippi, to New Jersey, Florida and all points between. The duo tracked down and recorded dozens of interviews with little-known performers to the last of the living legends of burlesque. They spoke with relatives of many deceased stars. The men and women in this documentary opened their scrapbooks as well as their hearts, relating memories they had all but forgotten.

Amongst those interviewed were former musicians, strippers, novelty acts, club owners, funny men and women, authors and historians assembled together for the first time ever to tell you just what really happened in a burlesque show. Sadly, many of the performers have since passed away, making this their last, and often times only interview. We dedicate this film to their memory.

"Behind the Burly Q" is the definitive history of burlesque during its heyday. Funny, shocking, unbelievable and heartbreaking, their stories will touch your hearts. Hear the performers in their own words. See the performers in action. We invite you to peek behind the curtain at the burly show.

Biographies

LESLIE ZEMECKIS

Filmmaker Leslie Zemeckis is a veteran of stage and film. She is the creator of the one-woman burlesqueinspired show, "Staar: She's Back and Mistresser Than Ever!" that has been performed at various clubs throughout Los Angeles garnering audience acclaim. Zemeckis recently produced the feature "Staar" starring Carrie Fisher and Jeffrey Tambor, and also produced the short film "Enfants Terribles," which she stars in opposite Peter Facineli and Christopher Lloyd, and which was an official selection of the Palm Springs, Santa Barbara and Chicago Film Festivals in 2005 -- 2006. Her acting credits include Deterrence" for director Rod Lurie, "Sacrifice" with Michael Madsen, "Blowback" with Mario Van Peebles, and "Polar Express" opposite Tom Hanks. She co-starred in "Beowulf", directed by her husband Robert Zemeckis, starring Ray Winstone Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie.

SHERI HELLARD

Sheri Hellard began her directing career in 2000 with the short film JACK & JILL.The film went on to win the Audience Award at the prestigious Hamton's International Film Festival. Sheri then directed several music videos and in 2002 made her feature film directorial debut with Porchlight Entertainment's MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS starring Sally Kirkland and Tom Bosley. In 2007 Sheri completed the mockumentary STAAR: SHE'D RATHER BE A MISTRESS starring Carrie Fisher and Jeffrey Tambor. In the spring of 2008 Sheri shot the 20 episode web series "Space Lift: Feng Shui Your Home" for production companies 60 frames and Living Image Entertainment. She is currently producing the documentary "Behind the Burly-Q" which tells the history of burlesque in America.