(Nebraska Daily News Press. "Now Argue." Page 11. February 8, 1925)
[Caption reads: "If you think that Sally Rand isn't one of the most beautiful women in the world you can get an argument out of Cecil B. DeMille, who declares she is."]
Sally Rand was born Helen Gould Beck on April 3, 1904 in Elkton, Missouri. Her father abandoned the family for another woman when she was a child. She went by Billie Beck until she was given the stage name 'Sally Rand' by Cecil DeMille during the stage production "The King of Kings" in 1927. As an adult, Sally stood just 5 feet 1 inch when she reached national stardom for her infamous "fan dance." In 1932 she performed her fan dance for the first time at Chicago's Paramount Club. She performed this fan dance in 'The Streets of Cairo' at the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago where she grew to national acclaim. She was 29 years old and was arrested multiple times during the course of the Fair. She made her (unplanned) grand entrance by riding a white horse and wearing nothing but a velvet cape and her blond hair as coverage. During the Fair, she performed her 8 minute fan dance 16 times a day! She was actually arrested 4 times in one day!
In 1927, she earned $2,000/week ($36,254.02/week) as a 'Wampas Baby Star' in C.B. DeMille's vaudeville show. When she started her fan dance in 1933, she earned only $125/week ($3,024.42/week) but by 1937 she made $12,500/week ($273,038.19/week), according to the Lincoln Nebraska State Journal (1937).
(North Platte Daily Telegraph. North Platte, NE. Page 4. July 7, 1934)
The caption reads, "Sally Rand, whose fan dancing at Chicago's World's Fair of 1933 proved something of a sensation, has come back to the exposition to inaugurate a 'bubble dance.' Here's the bubble--and Sally with a coat of whiting over her body." Rand typically painted her body with white talc powder before performing.
(Sally Rand. Sarpy County Agriculturalist. Page 4. February 22, 1934)
Before her rise to fame, Sally worked in the Ringling Bros. circus as a cigarette girl and acrobatic dancer in her youth. She then built up her reputation as a star dancer performing at Chicago's Paramount Club in the 20s. When the 1933 World's Fair opportunity came, little did she know it would catapult her to international fame! Learn more about Sally Rand on her IMDb page.
1930s
Sally Rand at the Paramount Theatre | 1934 | Omaha
Sally Rand was a burlesque star after the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. She began traveling the country with her fan dance and balloon/bubble dance. In 1934, Sally Rand appeared in person on the Paramount stage. After her performance, the screen was dropped and "Bolero" featuring Rand was shown. Seats were just 25 cents for the matinee and 35 cents for the evening show.
(Omaha World Herald. Paramount Theatre Advertisement. February 22, 1934)
Advertisement reads, "The girl that made the Chicago World's Fair famous! Sally Rand in person! On the stage! Presenting her original fan dance with 12 girls, 25 piece symphony orchestra. The one and only Fan Dancer, doing the identical dance she did in Chicago and New York...And a glamorous stage show that pulsates with charm and beauty."
Top Caption reads, "On the Screen! By special arrangement you will see Sally Rand on both stage and screen for the first time anywhere in the world premiere of George Raft, Carole Lombard in 'Bolero' featuring Sally Rand. Her rose to fame on a ladder of ruined women!! Hear 'Bolero'--the wold song of love!"
(Sally Rand Performing her Fan Dance. Location unknown. c. 1936)
(Omaha World Herald. Paramount Theatre Advertisement. February 20, 1934)
(Omaha World Herald. Paramount Theatre Advertisement. February 21, 1934)
(The Benson Times. "Paramount Theatre." February 23, 1934)
The article reads, "The girl who made the World Fair famous, the girl whom 10,000,000 people made the most talked about dancer in the world. None other than SALLY RAND, the one and only inimitable fan dancer. The Paramount theatre in Omaha has made arrangements to present Miss Rand in her only personal appearance in this territory. She will appear in person in a gigantic and glamorous stage show for one week starting Friday, Feb. 23, at the Paramount. On the same show the Paramount will present a 25 piece symphony orchestra, 12 beautiful girls, and other entertainment. "Bolero" is the motion picture that stars George Raft, Carole Lombard, and also features Sally Rand in her first talking picture. In the picture Miss Rand also does her famous fan dance, so you will have an opportunity to see Sally on both stage and screen. "Bolero" incoporates the famous Bolero dance which is said to be one of the most eye-filling dances every performed except the Fan Dance."
Watch Rand's Fan Dance in "Bolero"
here.
The Paramount Theatre is now called the Rose Performing Arts Theatre. Learn more about burlesque at the Rose Theatre
here.
Catholics Banned from Seeing Sally Rand | 1934 | Omaha
(Gwiazda Zachodu. "Bishop Rummel's Warning." February 23, 1934)
The article states, "Bishop Rummel's Warning: The space in our paper does not allow to reprint in full the letters sent by Bishop Joseph F. Rummel of the Omaha diocese to each Catholic pastor in Omaha and to Mr. Roy N. Rowl, Mayor of Omaha. Bishop Rummel protests against featuring of a certain fan dancer in the Paramount theatre beginning Friday of this week and prohibits all Catholics of his diocese to attend the show 'under pain of grievous sin.'
Bishop Rummel is absolutely right. Since some time we have noticed that in various Omaha theatres a new type of talking pictures has become the vogue. The producers have apparently not been satisfied with the kind of sex pictures offered the public two or three years ago. Now they manifestingly present scenes and dialogues which are bare of even the most delicate veil of decency.
To climax all this highly suggestive and demoralizing sex stuff the management of one of the local theatres deems advisable to present what they call a fan dancer who, last summer, shocked and rocked even the most sophisticated people attending the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Show men ought to know, that there is a limit to everything. You don't build up a good show attendance in a city of descent people by catering to the pervert cravings of few. Respectable parents will abhor the idea, we are sure, of having their children, even of mature age, attending the presentation of a fan dancer of the reputation of the individual in question.
We wholeheartedly subscribe to the protest of the Rt. Rev. Bishop and trust that at least the Catholics of Omaha and especially the readers of the 'Western Star' will heed the warning of their apostolic leader."
(Sally Rand, c. 1940)
Sally Rand's Fan Dance in Hastings, NE | 1934
The movie "Bolero" featuring Sally Rand was shown in Hastings, NE at the Rivoli Theatre. The advertisement states, "Sensation of Sensations: Sally Rand's Own Original Fan Dance, Exactly as Presented at a Century of Progress!" Clearly the turmoil over her infamous dance at the World's Fair did not stop her stardom!
(The Hastings Daily Tribune. Advertisement for Rivoli Theatre. Page 6. March 10, 1934)
(The Hastings Daily Tribune. Sally Rand. Page 6. March 10, 1934)
Caption states, "Sally Rand, featured player in Paramount's 'Bolero,' which opens Sunday at the Rivoli Theatre, is shown here in an ostrich ensemble. Miss Rand, nationally known as the 'Fan Dancer,' makes her debut in this picture."
Sally Speaks Highly of Omaha | 1936
During the summer of 1936, Sally Rand was quoted in the Western Union (Fort Worth, TX) newspaper stating Keene Abbott, former dramatic critic for the Omaha World Herald, was the best newspaper man she knew. She had never met Abbott, but enjoyed how he wrote about her. Abbott only saw Sally on the stage once. She was quoted as saying, "New York is just a lot of hooey...I wouldn't live there on a bet...Now Omaha is a real place."
(Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand Gets Name in Paper; Keene Abbott's Too." Page 5. August 18, 1936)
Sally at Peony Park | 1937 | Omaha
(Evening World Herald. Advertisement for Peony Park. Page 10. September 24, 1937)
Sally Rand performed in Omaha on Saturday September 25, 1937 at Peony Park's New Royal Villa. She performed her fan dance and her bubble dance for a packed audience.
(Evening World Herald. “Sally Had Better Keep Clothes On, Butler Warns.” Page 1. September 25, 1937)
[Left: Photo of Sally Rand, caption: "Sally Rand...likes Corn-husker escorts."
Right: Photo of Omaha Mayor Dan Butler, caption: "Mayor Dan...not Sally's darling."]
The Omaha Evening World Herald published Rand saying the 'mayor is a darling' after she learned Butler had censored stage shows before public showings (Idiot's Delight, Ecstacy, and Tobacco Road). She continues, 'But that is too bad...You would deprive yourselves. I can't understand such an attitude." Her comments and presence in Omaha were apparently distressing for Butler. The paper quotes him, 'I informed the people who are sponsoring her appearance here that I wouldn't be a party to any Sally Rand publicity stunts...All I've got to say is that while she's out in public in Omaha, she'd better keep her clothes on." The newspaper seems to imply Mayor Butler was scared to be photographed with her due to potential political repercussions. Butler was a hardcore opponent to 'obscene' culture, including explicit stage shows, and films. Check out my article on Bans and Censorship of Burlesque Nebraska
here.
Sally Rand in Lincoln | 1937
Rand performed multiple nights in September at the King's Deluxe Ballroom in Lincoln--newspaper ads ran on September 18th & 22nd for her fan and bubble dances. She also performed at the Capitol Beach in Lincoln in September 1937.
(Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. King's Ballroom Advertisement for Sally Rand. Page 4. September 18, 1937)
(Lincoln Journal Star. King's Ballroom Advertisement of Sally Rand. Page 4. September 22, 1937)
Sally Rand was interviewed by the Lincoln Nebraska State Journal on September 25, 1937--after her performance at the Capitol Beach. In this interview she stated she considered her dances an art form that could make her rise to new entertainment heights. She dreamed of being on a 'legitimate world stage'. Rand no longer liked motion pictures and stated she would not appear in any more film productions. Miss Rand reportedly had a lisp which caused her embarrassment in the new 'talkies.' She refused to discuss her costumes (or lack there of) for her fan and bubble dances with the interviewer. She also hinted to a new dance she was to present to audiences in Boston, but declined to give more detail. At the very end, the author notes that
Rosita Royce (Lincoln's own fan dancer) was in attendance on Friday evening at Rand's Capitol Beach performance.
(The Lincoln Star. "Kitty, Kitty." Page 41. September 26, 1937)
Rosita Royce and Sally Rand were typically compared to each other as both were skilled burlesque dancers with similar acts. The Bubble Dance was originally coined by Royce but
subsequently attributed to Rand as they both traveled the country performing both Fan and Bubble dances. Rosita Royce had created her black Butterfly dance in 1937. The article above quotes Sally Rand commenting, 'Oh, how strange...As I remember the butterfly develops from a worm and thru various stages gradually becomes a thing of beauty. Doesn't one, in this butterfly dance, rather reverse things--starting as a beautiful butterfly and ending up as a worm?'
(Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. "Fat Sally." Barney Oldfield. Page 45. October 3, 1937)
Unfortunately, not everyone in Lincoln found Sally's performances beautiful works of art. Barney Oldfield, of the Lincoln Nebraska State Journal, took particular pleasure in reporting on Rand's figure and eating habits--calling her "fat" and "chunky". Oldfield also gave some interesting insight into Rand's costume: "...it takes her 30 minutes to get ready to go on. Why? Because she paints her body from neck to feet with a white goo which dries and looks like chalk dust. There's also a wig to put on; then the diaphanous gown (which comes off shortly after the fan dance starts); the peds, and then the high-heeled sandals...Sally does wear skin-tight panties when she's on the floor." Lastly, Oldfield believes Rand was just the first to get publicity for the fan or bubble dance, while Faith Bacon was one of the first fan dancers in the United States, who is hardly ever mentioned.
Sally at the Pier | Grand Island | 1937
Sally Rand appeared at the Pier dancing pavilion on September 23, 1937 with Don Peebles and his orchestra. The Grand Island Independent reported she danced her fan dance and her bubble dance, stated her dance was 'clever' more than 'lewd'. Sally was also invited to model clothing for the department store Wolbach's, their 'ready-to-wear' salon. "Her presentations were artistically presented with unusual employment of lighting effects." Below are some advertisements that appeared in the Independent:
(The Grand Island Independent. Advertisements for Wolbach's Store. Page 12. September 21, 1937)
"See Sally Rand in person in our second floor ready-to-wear department. Thursday between 3 and 4 PM. Sally Rand appears with her Orchestra at the Pier Thursday Evening."
1940s
Sally in Fort Robinson, NE | 1943
(Colonel Carr and Sally Rand. Fort Robinson, NE. Nills, Earl. History Nebraska. 1943)
(Sally Rand. Fort Robinson, NE. Nills, Earl. History Nebraska. 1943)
Sally had married Turk Greenough, a rodeo entertainer and army soldier, in October 1941. In 1943, Greenough was stationed at Fort Robinson. Sally accompanied him and stayed at the Crawford Hotel at the time. Around the same time, Sally visited Broken Bow, NE. Reported in the Custer County Chief newspaper, Sally stopped at the Campbell cafe in Broken Bow for dinner. As she passed through Broken Bow via train, she reportedly showed passengers on the train photos of herself and her "famous cowboy husband" from her large suitcase.
Sally Rand was mentioned in the Crawford Tribune in January of 1943. The committee of the annual fundraising efforts for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis hosted a "President's Birthday Ball" in which they tried to arrange for Sally Rand to perform her famous fan dance. She is again listed as visiting Crawford while her husband was stationed at Fort Robinson in the article.
Sally at the Nebraska State Fair | 1947
Sally Rand performed at the Nebraska State Fair during the Fall of 1947. An article in the Omaha World Herald on September 6, 1947 outlined complaints from two men from Hastings who had witnessed Sally's show. The men wrote a letter to the Governor of Nebraska, Val Peterson, complaining that,
- The show started 45 minutes late
- 25 entertainers were advertised but they only saw 7 entertainers
- The show was billed for 40 minutes but only ran for 17 minutes
- There was no air conditioning or fans (other than the ones Sally had)
The signers were Gary R. Herbut and Rex S. Haberman. They were refunded the ticket price of the show. The total attendance of the 1947 State Fair was 225,000 people, 20% higher than the year before. In fact, the Fair Board estimated about 70,000 people attended the fair on Labor Day alone.
(Omaha World Herald. "Hastings Visitors Complain Sally Rand Show 'Headache'." Page 1. September 6, 1947)
If you'd like to learn more about burlesque at the Nebraska State and County Fairs check it out
here.
1960s
(Omaha World Herald. Sally Rand. Page 113. July 10, 1960)
Sally at Pee-Dee's Supper Club | Omaha | 1964
(Omaha World Herald. Advertisement for Pee-Dee's Supper Club. June 13, 1964)
Sally Rand performed at Pee-Dee's Supper Club in Omaha on July 10, 1964.
Sally Rand is Arrested at Mickey's No. 1 | Omaha | 1965
Rand performed at Mickey's Night Club on 15th and Harney Streets on July 9, 1965. She had just celebrated her 61st birthday that past April. According to the owner of Mickey's, George Earl, Sally Rand was available for speaking engagements while she was in Omaha, though none were advertised in the newspapers. Miss Rand was arrested after her first performance at Mickey's. George Earl and Sally were booked at Central Police Station and released on bonds of $300 each ($2,995.62 today). Police Sargent John Quist sent patrolman Vern Prescher to observe Rand's performance and make the arrests. Prescher stated Rand had exposed her nude body to the audience for about one minute out of her six minute fan dance. Rand reportedly admitted she was nude. Sally Rand had appeared multiple times in Nebraska throughout the 1930s and 40s but was never arrested. The last time she had been arrested, before this incident, was in 1946 in San Francisco. After she was released on bond she returned to Mickey's Night Club to perform a second show! There was no arrest that time as she wore transparent body tights.
(Evening World Herald. Photograph of Sally Rand. July 10, 1965
Caption: "Sally...after second show.")
The City of Omaha decided to prosecute Sally Rand under the the city ordinance banning any person from appearing 'in a state of nudity' and 'the wearing of clothes of a person of the other sex.' Rand's lawyer was successful in convincing Municipal Judge Eugene Leahy that the ordinance was unconstitutional and 'would make an innocent act--for example, a girl wearing boy's jeans--illegal.' Leahy agreed the law was unconstitutional. This decision also spurred District Judge Rudy Tesar to rule the same law unconstitutional in a case involving a man. It's important to note that this law was passed in 1941 and used to arrest burlesque dancers, drag performers, and queer people alike. The point of including 'no wearing clothes of the other sex' was to make arresting queer and trans people easy and legal.
In response, Assistant City Prosecutor Lynn Carey Jr. charged 'strip suspects' under a new city ordinance. The new law prohibited any "indecent, lewd or filthy acts, the uttering of lewd words or singing of lewd songs and the performance of obscene gestures." A week later, Omaha vice officers arrested a dancer who "performed in scanty attire a dance with 'bumps and grinds'."
(Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand in 1965 Omaha Appearance." Page 141. March 10, 1968)
During an interview with the Evening World Herald, Sally remarked, "I haven't changed my act in 32 years. It's still the same. Six minutes an act, the same music--'Clair de Lune' and Chopin's 'Waltz in C-Sharp Minor'." Her giant ostrich feather fans cost $500 a pair or $4,992.70 today [assuming $500 in 1965].
The Death of Sally Rand | August 31, 1979
(Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand...sews in her Washington hotel room." Page 13. July 3, 1973)
(Omaha World Herald. Miss Rand...At 75. Associated Press. Page 3. August 5, 1979)
Sally Rand died at the age of 75 on August 31, 1979 in Glendora, California. She had been dancing on stage for 45 years. Her cause of death was congestive heart failure. She had continued performing 40 weeks a year up until one year before her death, due to her bad health. She was survived by her adopted son, Sean (31), his wife, and two grand-children.
Sources
-
Gwiazda Zachodu. "Bishop Rummel's Warning." February 23, 1934
- The Hastings Daily Tribune. "Filming Fan Dance a Tough Job." Page 6. March 10, 1934
- Omaha World Herald. "Catholics Forbidden to See Saslly Rand." February 22, 1934
- The Hartington Herald. "Fan Dancer is Attraction Here." May 3, 1934
- Nebraska Daily News Press. "The Truth About Sally Rand--Fan Dancer." Page 6. October 18, 1933
- Nebraska Daily News Press. "In New York; Sally Rand Bubbles Over with Enthusiasm For Stage." George Ross. New York, NY. Page 4. May 5, 1938
-
The Benson Times. "Paramount Theatre." February 23, 1934
- The Custer County Chief. "Sally Rand Famous Fan Dancer Was Here Monday." February 4, 1943
- Beatrice Daily Sun. "Sally Cannot Hide." Court Rules Candid Camera Okeh; Convict Dancer of Assault on Fan Who Shot Photo." Los Angeles, CA. Page 2. November 4, 1938
- North Platte Daily Telegraph. "Sally Rand Tries 'Bubble Dance'." Page 4. July 7, 1934
- Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand and Rufus." Page 12. September 5, 1933
- Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand Gets Namein Paper; Keene Abbott's Too." Page 5. August 18, 1936
- Omaha World Herald. "Talc, Smile, Bubble Only Garb, Sally Says." Los Angeles, CA. Page 6. November 3, 1938
- Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand Yearning to Put on Her Clothes." Rembert James. San Francisco, CA. Page 29. November 5, 1939
- Sarpy County Agriculturalist. "Sally Rand at Paramount World's Most Famous Dancer." Page 4. February 22, 1934
- Star Herald. "Sally Rand Ambitious as Actress, Giving Up Fans." George Ross. New York, NY. Page 12. May 6, 1938
- Star Herald. "Sally Rand's Own Story--How to Go Broke on $174,830 a Year." Sally Rand. Page 8. November 28, 1939
- The Grand Island Independent. "Ramblings by Ruth." Page 5. September 21, 1937
- The Grand Island Independent. "City in Brief." Page 5. September 24, 1937
- Evening World Herald. Advertisement for Peony Park-Sally Rand. Page 10. September 24, 1937
- The Hastings Daily Tribune. Advertisements for Sally Rand in Bolero. Page 6. March 10, 1934
- The Grand Island Independent. Advertisements for Sally Rand Modeling Clothes. Page 12. September 21, 1937
- Omaha World Herald. "Hastings Visitors Complain Sally Rand Show 'Headache'." Page 1. September 6, 1947
- Beatrice Daily Sun. "Hollywood; Pert Sally Rand's Fans Still Tease." Erskine Johnson. San Antonio, TX. Page 6. November 27, 1960
- Evening World Herald. "Sally rand's 'Dance Nude'" and "Sally Rand Still Designed (35-25-35) for Job at 61." Al Pagel. July 10, 1965
- Omaha World Herald. "World's Fairs: Do's and Don'ts." Page 113. July 10, 1960
- Omaha World Herald. "Police, Clubs to Draw Veil; Sally Rand Watched, but Not Arrested." Page 6. July 13, 1965
- Omaha World Herald. "Law Switch in Strip War; Change Follows Loss in Sally Rand Case." Page 17. September 12, 1965
- Omaha World Herald. "Here's Howe." Pete Howe. Page 141. March 10, 1968
- Omaha World Herald. Advertisement for Pee-Dee's Supper Club- Sally Rand. June 13, 1964
- The Lyman Nebraska Leader. "Tremendous Trifles; The Bubble-Dancer's Balloon and Its Contribution to Science." Page 14. November 3, 1960
- The South Omaha Sun. "Up and Down the Street." Emil Vohoska. Page 81. June 24, 1965
- Beatrice Daily Sun. "Queen of peekaboo fans dies." Glendora, CA. Page 3. August 31, 1979
- Beatrice Daily Sun. "Starlet at age 73." August 23, 1977
- Omaha World Herald. "Dancer Enthusiastic, Frank; Sally Rand Hasn't 'Fanned-Out'." Sally Quinn. Page 13. Washington Post Service. Washington. July 3, 1973
- Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand Still Waving Fans, and Fans Keep Waving Back." Glendora, CA. Page 3. August 5, 1979
- Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand and Omaha." Robert McMorris. Page 2. August 7, 1979
- York News Times. "Q&A" Page 31. January 29, 2013
- https://www.vintagechicagopostcards.com/2021/04/burlesque-dancer-sally-rand-took.html
- History Nebraska: Colonel Carr and Sally Rand. Fort Robinson, NE. Nills, Earl. History Nebraska. 1943
- History Nebraska: Sally Rand. Fort Robinson, NE. Nills, Earl. History Nebraska. 1943
- Nebraska Daily News Press. "Now Argue." Page 11. February 8, 1925
- Crawford Tribune. "President's Birthday Ball January 30th." Page 1. January 29, 1943
- Omaha World Herald. “Mayor Butler a Darling, Says Sally Rand Here.” Page 4. September 24, 1937
- Evening World Herald. “Sally Had Better Keep Clothes On, Butler Warns.” Page 1. September 25, 1937
- Omaha World Herald. “Plan President’s Party January 30.” Page 2. January 1, 1943
- Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. King's Ballroom Advertisement for Sally Rand. Page 4. September 18, 1937
- Lincoln Journal Star. King's Ballroom Advertisement of Sally Rand. Page 4. September 22, 1937
- The Lincoln Star. "Kitty, Kitty." Page 41. September 26, 1937
- Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. "Fat Sally." Barney Oldfield. Page 45. October 3, 1937
- Omaha World Herald. Photo of Sally Rand. Page 113. July 10, 1960
- Omaha World Herald. "Sally Rand in 1965 Omaha Appearance." Page 141. March 10, 1968
