Zemeckis, Leslie

Zemeckis brilliantly captures an era long vanished, filled with stage mothers, slimy producers, devious cons, and classic mobsters that will fascinate fans of the showgirl era, theater history, and early to mid-20th-century showbiz.

Readers with an interest in dance, theater history, the adult entertainment industry and the law, and women's history will be intrigued.

Though the author touches on burlesque as a sociocultural phenomenon, briefly discussing reasons for its popularity and its demise, this title steers clear of heavy analysis. While the academic reader may come away wanting more, Zemeckis offers a rich, colorful narrative that provides a vivid sense of the era.