Shameless Saturday Camp Explosion: Oh, Lord

In naïve, or pure, Camp, the essential element is seriousness, a seriousness that fails.

- Susan Sontag, "Notes on Camp"

Well here's a curiosity.

Shameless Saturday Camp Explosion: Zarah with a Zee

To emphasize style is to slight content, or to introduce an attitude which is neutral with respect to content. It goes without saying that the Camp sensibility is disengaged, depoliticized -- or at least apolitical.

- Susan Sontag, "Notes on Camp" 

 It struck me this morning that it's been far too long since we spent a little time with that Nazilicious star of stage and screen, Miss Zarah Leander.

File Under "Thoughtful Holiday Gifts, Not"

Just in case any of you are still casting about for the perfect present for the old man on Father's Day, why not try something that will truly mortify?  And at just $2, you'll still have plenty to get something nice for yourself.  Or just go whole hog and get him a garter belt and heels, too...

Lady of the Lake

Or at least of her Brentwood swimming pool. Hope floats, they say, and so does the lovely and talented Miss Dolores Del Rio. Although she's about thisclose to a wardrobe malfunction in that daring bandeau top - which she has rather oddly paired with her girdle.

The mysteries of Hollywood never cease to fascinate...

A Word From Our Sponsor

Australian wartime corsets.

It's actually worth embiggening this one; the anxieties this ad's copy radiate seem as distant and foreign as those that would have preoccupied Roman matrons or medieval ladies:

The strain of the times, far from lessening the value of foundation garments, makes them more necessary than ever. For whether she rears a family or mans a range-finder, a woman needs the physical support of a good foundation. Muscular areas and heavy flesh must be supported, or excessive fatigue will result. Not only is physical energy reduced, but mental strain is increased and morale undoubtedly affected...

I also especially like the urgent reminder to be "personally fitted by a trained corsetiere." The world's in chaos, bombs are falling, refugees are pouring in - "but I've just got to get to my corsetiere appointment!"

But what could you expect of a foundation-garment company whose name is homonymous with "burly" and which uses in its advertisements phrases like "heavy flesh"?

Office Party Confidential

"Goodness," thought Mabel, "Hattie in Purchasing tried to warn me, but I couldn't have dreamed the kind of thing the executive steno pool gets up to after hours. Thank God I wore my good beads, or I'd have felt awful quaint next to Shirlee's strapless all-in-one."