History Main / Burlesque

* ''Disney/TheGreatMouseDetective'' had a rather [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment inexplicable scene]] involving burlesque, to the delight of [[UsefulNotes/FurryFandom furries]] everywhere.

* The video for "Last Surprise" in ''VideoGame/Persona5DancingStarNight" is burlesque-themed, featuring the girls wearing costumes not out-of-place for a Pussycat Dolls performance.

* ''Disney/TheGreatMouseDetective'' had a rather [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment inexplicable scene]] involving burlesque, to the delight of Furries everywhere.

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* ''{{Music/PanicAtTheDisco}}'' used burlesque style dancers in shows on their first tour. Said dancers actually DID stick to innuendo rather than stripping, although some of their outfits didn't have much to take off anyway... In many cases the dancers, both male and female, served as caricatured representations of the dysfunctional individuals described in the band's early songs.

* The musical ''{{Theatre/Gypsy}}'' is the story of Gypsy Rose Lee. She started out working in Vaudeville, but moved to Burlesque because of the better money-making opportunity; and became one of the most well known strippers of the era. The word 'ecdysiast' was coined in her honor.

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* ''TheRightStuff''. The astronauts attend a Burlesque show where an actress playing Sally Rand performs her iconic fan dance.

* ''TheRightStuff''. The astronauts attend a Burlesque show where an actress playing Sally Rand performers her iconic fan dance.

* Pretty much the entire reason for Creator/DitaVonTeese's existence. And the Music/PussycatDolls'.
* Burlesque is definitely still alive, although it tends to focus more on the striptease element and less on the comedy and music. It's mostly performed by small troupes of hobbyists.

The word "burlesque" is derived from a Romance language term meaning "to send up". Burlesque theatre originated in the UK and US in the 19th century as a form of broad satire and parody aimed at low to middle class audiences, poking fun at the "highbrow" entertainments and social activities of the upper classes. During the Victorian period, it became increasingly common for roles to be played by [[MsFanservice attractive women]], dress more "daringly" than Victorian convention normally permitted. The women quickly became the main attraction, and costumes [[{{Fanservice}} became more revealing]] to the extent permitted by local laws. As in {{Vaudeville}} and Music Hall settings, music and variety acts became staples of Burlesque shows. The tone often became [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar suggestive, even shading toward bawdy]], although outright vulgarity, obscenity, and nudity were avoided; as the intent was to spoof and titillate, not offend. While Vaudeville tended to be dominated by individual acts; Burlesque shows depended on troupes travelling a circuit. It was generally looked down on as "low" humour by Vaudeville performers, and a last resort for the "washed up"; but many performed in Burlesque troops under pseudonyms, as the work was typically more steady and reliable.

While not originally the focus, sexual titillation became increasingly part of the landscape of Burlesque; however, the striptease remained a "back room" affair. The death of the Burlesque circuits in the 1920s resulted in the already well-established striptease, or "hootchie cootchie dance" being incorporated by theatre owners as a [[LowestCommonDenominator gimmick to bring in audiences]]. Although music and comedy remained a large part of Burlesque, the striptease became the [[MaleGaze primary draw]]. The degree of nudity and types of dancing permitted were limited, not by artistic or modesty concerns; but by obscenity statutes, with the stereotypical "pasties and G-string" used to avoid violating local laws. Performers did occasionally go beyond what was permitted, [[YouCanLeaveYourHatOn up to and including full nudity]]; and raids and arrests were frequent occurences. A few places banned Burlesque altogether. This form of Burlesque was popular from the [[TheRoaringTwenties '20s]] until the [[TheSixties '60s]], peaking during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and the post-war [[TheForties '40s]], finally declining in [[TheFifties '50s]].

Burlesque comedy was typically broad and low; with a strong emphasis on SlapStick and sexual innuendo. The lead comedian was known as the "top banana"; and many well-known comedians started in Burlesque -- such as BobHope, Red Skelton, and Milton Berle -- before crossing over into movies, radio, or the fledgling television industry. One of the most famous classic Burlesque comedy routines is Creator/AbbottAndCostello's ''WhosOnFirst''.

Burlesque comedy was typically broad and low; with a strong emphasis on SlapStick and sexual innuendo. The lead comedian was known as the "top banana"; and many well-known comedians started in Burlesque -- such as BobHope, Red Skelton, and Milton Berle -- before crossing over into movies, radio, or the fledgling television industry. One of the most famous classic Burlesque comedy routines is AbbottAndCostello's ''WhosOnFirst''.

* ''Wild West C.O.W-Boys of Moo Mesa'' in Thoroughly Moodern Lily had a burlesque competition between Lily Bovine and Sadie Wowcow.

* [[Series/GossipGirl Chuck Bass]] owns a burlesque club called Victrola. Where Blair got up on stage in one episode and did a strip tease.

* ''{{Oklahoma}}'': "They've got a big the-ay-tur, they call it burlycue..."

* ''{{Cabaret}}'', both the stage musical and its film adaptation. How the Kit Kat club is portrayed (burlesque, vaudeville, fetish club, etc.) seems to depend on the adaptation.

* [[GossipGirl Chuck Bass]] owns a burlesque club called Victrola. Where Blair got up on stage in one episode and did a strip tease.

* Wild West C.O.W-Boys of Moo Mesa in Thoroughly Moodern Lily had a burlesque competition between Lily Bovine and Sadie Wowcow.

* Pretty much the entire reason for DitaVonTeese's existence. And the PussycatDolls'.

While not originally the focus, sexual titillation became increasingly part of the landscape of Burlesque; however, the striptease remained a "back room" affair. The death of the Burlesque circuits in the 1920s resulted in the already well-established striptease, or "hootchie cootchie dance" being incorporated by theatre owners as a [[LowestCommonDenominator gimmick to bring in audiences]]. Although music and comedy remained a large part of Burlesque, the striptease became the [[MaleGaze primary draw]]. The degree of nudity and types of dancing permitted were limited, not by artistic or modesty concerns; but by obscenity statutes, with the stereotypical "pasties and G-string" used to avoid violating local laws. Performers did occasionally go beyond what was permitted, [[YouCanLeaveYourHatOn up to and including full nudity]]; and raids and arrests were frequent occurences. A few places banned Burlesque altogether. This form of Burlesque was popular from the [[TheRoaringTwenties '20s]] until the [[TheSixties '60s]], peaking during WorldWarII and the post-war [[TheForties '40s]], finally declining in [[TheFifties '50s]].

While not originally the focus, sexual titillation became increasingly part of the landscape of Burlesque; however, the striptease remained a "back room" affair. The death of the Burlesque circuits in the 1920s resulted in the already well-stablished striptease, or "hootchie cootchie dance" being incorporated by theatre owners as a [[LowestCommonDenominator gimmick to bring in audiences]]. Although music and comedy remained a large part of Burlesque, the striptease became the [[MaleGaze primary draw]]. The degree of nudity and types of dancing permitted were limited, not by artistic or modesty concerns; but by obscenity statutes, with the stereotypical "pasties and G-string" used to avoid violating local laws. Performers did occasionally go beyond what was permitted, [[YouCanLeaveYourHatOn up to and including full nudity]]; and raids and arrests were frequent occurences. A few places banned Burlesque altogether. This form of Burlesque was popular from the [[TheRoaringTwenties '20s]] until the [[TheSixties '60s]], peaking during WorldWarII and the post-war [[TheForties '40s]], finally declining in [[TheFifties '50s]].

* TexAvery used this trope in much of his work.

Many striptease dancers incorporated elaborate gimmicks into their acts, many of them artistic and/or comedic; and some parodied celebrities. As the form declined in the '50s, a few became minor celebrities in their own right; and just as many comedians moved on to Hollywood, so did a few of the more popular dancers. Some of those who managed to make a showing on the silver screen were Gypsy Rose Lee, BettiePage, Tempest Storm, and Lili St. Cyr. Several movies were made which featured them; but these were generally [[{{Bowdlerise}} highly bowdlerized]] versions of the performances, or low-budget indie productions.