Hinda Wassau
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Hinda Wassau (born 1912) was a former chorus girl who became a star of striptease and burlesque. She was from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. [1]
Innovative dancer
Wassau was in burlesque dancing beginning in 1928. She claimed that she invented striptease when she was a chorus girl and one of her straps broke. The audience applauded enthusiastically. [2] Wassau appeared in an Ed E. Daley production, Temptations, presented at the Robbins Playhouse in Syracuse, New York, in June 1929. The blonde entertainer displayed both her singing and dancing talents in the stage comedy. [3]
She was recruited by Billy Rose for his revue which showcased Eleanor Powell and Hal LeRoy. Premiering in late July 1932, Wassau was described by Rose as the best cooch dancer since Gilda Gray first startled the public. She was on the same bill as the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. [4] Wassau played the Ritz Theater in Syracuse with Bozo Snyder in March 1933. The burlesque show was called Follies of the Day.[5]
Wassau was managed by her husband, Rube Bernstein, in 1938. Ann Corio had the same manager until she discovered Wassau was getting better breaks and dancing at a competitor club. Corio quickly fired Bernstein. At the time Corio had moved from burlesque to vaudeville and was heading a troupe at Fay's Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wassau was planning a divorce in February 1941.
Erotic dancer Georgia Sothern debuted a magic act at the Samoa nightclub on 52nd Street in February 1948. Wassau soon followed Sothern as a 52nd Street entertainer. [6]
Versatile performer
She was tested several times for a Hollywood film contract. [7] Wassau was considered for the role of Sadie Thompson in a revival of Rain at a Rochester, New York stock theater in June 1940. The character was made famous by Jeanne Eagels in the 1920s. [8]
References
- ↑ Hinda With Whiteman, Syracuse Herald, April 24, 1932, Page 33.
- ↑ Boston Girds For Strippers, Oakland Tribune, November 25, 1965, Page 40.
- ↑ Hinda Wassau Returns as Guest Star of Temple Show, Syracuse Herald, June 10, 1929, Page 10.
- ↑ Hinda With Whiteman, Syracuse Herald, April 24, 1932, Page 33.
- ↑ At The Theaters, Syracuse Herald, March 9, 1933, Page 15.
- ↑ Overenthusiastic About Wrestling, Zanesville, Ohio Times Recorder, February 7, 1948, Page 5
- ↑ Hollywood Goes in for the Strip-Tease---But in a Perfectly Nice Way, Ogden, Utah Standard-Examiner, June 20, 1937, Page 24.
- ↑ Walter Winchell On Broadway, Burlington, North Carolina Daily Times-News, June 15, 1940, Page 4.
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