Sammy Kaye's "Swing & Sway Revue"
In 1944 the Sammy Kaye stage show named "Swing & Sway Revue" came to Orpheum Theater in Omaha, Nebraska. Sammy Kaye was a nationally known orchestra conductor. His revue featured a stage show with variety acts and a motion picture on the screen called "Swingtime Johnny."
(Advertisement for Sammy Kaye at the Orpheum. Page 65. April 2, 1944)
(Sammy Kaye at the Orpheum. Savage, John. The Durham Museum. 1944)
The chorus girls had elaborate costumes--triangle bras, panel skirts, panties and large headdresses abound!
(Chorus Girls on Stage at Orpheum. Sammy Kaye at the Orpheum. Savage, John. The Durham Museum. 1944)
(Dancer in Costume (with headdress). Sammy Kaye at the Orpheum. Savage, John. The Durham Museum. 1944)
Notice her large circle headpiece, triangle bra, panties with cutouts with a skirt to keep within indecent exposure laws.
(Sammy Kaye at Orpheum. Woman dressed in costume. Savage, John. The Durham Museum. 1944)
Note her large eagle headdress, triangle bra and panties with skirt.
(High-Wire Act. Sammy Kaye at the Orpheum Theater. Savage, John. The Durham Museum. 1944)
("With Sammy Kaye's Show." Evening World Herald. April 6, 1944)
Caption Reads: "Three of the girls with Sammy Kaye's Swing and Sway revue which opens on the Orpheum theater stage Friday. Left to right are the Robert Sisters and White."
('Swing and Sway'. Omaha World Herald. Page 64. April 2, 1944)
Even though Sammy Kaye's show was a variety show and did not advertise burlesque in any capacity, burlesque's influence on costumes for the acts is apparent. Burlesque's ability to permeate mainstream culture is evident in the 1940s and 1950s.