Tarza the Young

Tarza was a Black burlesque dancer from the 1940s through the 1960s. She was born Pauline Young in Detroit, Michigan, though newspapers stated she went by Pauline Oliver later on. She first began performing as an "interpretive dancer" under the name "Pauline Young." She made a name for herself as a sensational exotic dancer AND show producer. The information I was able to find comes primarily from newspaper articles and advertisements.

The first newspaper advertisement for Young was in the St. Louis Argus newspaper on January 26, 1940. She performed at a club called the West End Waiters, "Where the Cream of the Crop Meets", in St. Louis, Missouri. She appeared again in March 1940 as "Pauline Young, Tiger Dancer" at the same venue. It should be assumed she was dancing professionally before the first advertisement of her talents.

The Argus published this description, "The petite Pauline's routine is by no means limited, but her specialty is the exotic type of dancing. Her 'Dance of the Tiger' in costume, never fails to make a tremendous hit." (March 8, 1940, page 7) In June of the same year, Young is described as a "passion dancer".

In 1941, Tarza performed at the Happy Hour Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota with musician, 'The King of Jive', Walter Fuller, where she was billed as "The Lovely Creole Exotic Dancer."

Detroit, Michigan | 1942-1944

(The Michigan Chronicle. Advertisement for Tarza at the Three 666 Club. Detroit, MI. page 11. March 21, 1942)

The Detroit Tribune stated, "Star-studded from start to finish, the Pauline (TARZA) Young's sensations of 1944 is one the spiciest, syncopated, rhythm-packed musical productions of the year." Tarza hired stars Olive Brown, "the Princess of the Blues", Ruby Logan, Velma Newsome, "the Bombshell of Rhythm," and a full ensemble of dancers called the "Tarzarettes" (Juanita Betty Battles, Trixie, Lula Peterson, and Madeline). The "Ambassador of Good Cheers" was Jazzbo Williams. The "dancing emcee" was Billy Hitt, 'The Aristocrat from Harlem.' A five piece band accompanied the show--Claren Dorsey and his Five; Duke, Paul, Babe, and T.J. Special.

(The Michigan Chronicle. Advertisement for Tarza's "Tropical Madness" at Club Sensation. Page 14. May 20, 1944)

Tarza in Washington D.C. | 1944-1946

Tarza in Canada | 1949

Tarza in "Burlesque in Harlem" | 1949 Film

In 1949, Tarza appeared in the film "Burlesque in Harlem". The film was also released as "Rock & Roll Burlesque" and "A French Peep Show." The film included not only burlesque dancers, but comedians, singers, modern dancers, and musicians that were featured on the Chitlin' Circuit of Black theaters and nightclubs. The film had no plot but invited viewers to witness a "bronze burlesque." Dick Barrow, "the Man of the Blues," was the master of ceremonies and the featured star was comedian Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham, "an outstanding and renown comic of the stage and screen."

The dancing opens with the Betty Taylor Taylorettes, ("lovely, gorgeous, and glamorous") then, with no introduction, Gloria Howard, "the Atomic Bomb", performed a Spanish style dance with two backup dancers (though no striptease). Then Jo Jo Adams sings a jazz song and then a burlesque dancer enters the stage (I assume she is Ezella Lester, "a lovely lady who is Queen of Shape (or Shake)", who was announced by Barrow at the top of the show).

Ezella performs a striptease on stage, just inches from Adams. Next, Mabel Hunter, singer and comic, speaks a spoken word song called "Fat Man Blues." Then Dick Barrow sings the blues.

Afterwards, "Baby" Banks performs a striptease act. She's introduced as "the very sexy lady of dance" and wears a white costume (fringe bra and panties, three panel skirt, and shawl). Her skirt panels were quick release from her fringe panties.

Mabel Hunter returns to sing "I Wanna Rock" and create a parody of burlesque dance moves, hiking her black dress up to her hips to reveal striped long underwear. Then, "Pigmeat" Markham performs his routine "The Love Making Bureau." Vivian Harris and George Wilshire co-star in the routine.

The next two acts are burlesque by Princess D'Orsey. She first performs an upbeat girly girl act in a flowing dress and a feather hat. The next act is a classic partial strip into a bikini.

The singer Luella Owens performs "It Takes a Dark Brown (To Really Lay Your Lovin' Down)" next. The Taylorettes return to the stage for a group number. Mabel Hunter returns for her third act of the film, a rock-jazz number called "He's Knocking, But he Can't Get In". Then the tap dancing duo, "Slip & Slide" performed a first-rate toe dance. Dick Barrow sings his third blues song.

Tarza Performs

Then, the moment you've been waiting for, Tarza, "the exotic", takes the stage in a white three panel skirt, shawl, and nude-illusion mesh triangle bra.

The credits list these performers:

• George Wilshire, comedian
• Gertrude "Baby" Banks; burlesque dancer
• Ezella Lester; burlesque dancer
• Tarza Young; burlesque dancer
• Jo Jo Adams; jazz singer
• Slip and Slide; tap dancing duo
• Vivian Harris; comedian
• Mabel Hunter, singer
• Luella Owens; singer
• Princess D'Orsey; burlesque dancer
• Gloria Howard; dancer
• The Betty Taylor Taylorettes; chorus dancers
• Olive Sayles
• Maria Rout
• Adella Gross
• Marion L. Greene
• Dorothy McCarthy
• Fannie Thorton
• Griffen Trixie Terry
• Rose Marie Foster
• Gwendolyn Shaklett

Songs included:

• "Fat Man Blues"
• "I Like the Hucklebuck"
• "It Takes a Dark Brown"
• "He's Knocking, But he Can't Get In"
• "Juice Head Baby"
• "I Love It"
• "Doing the Best I Can"

The film was directed by William Alexander with his technical advisor Dewitt Jackson. Costuming was created by Betty Taylor. Photography by G.G. Leontough and Vide Martino. The soundman was J. Suacure and was edited by Nathan Braunstein and Sheldon Nemeyer. Watch the film "Burlesque in Harlem" (1949) here.

See Tarza in her act here. 

1950s

Tarza continued to perform as an exotic dancer through the 1950s. She performed in Detroit with Todd Rhodes' orchestra at Club Juana in Detroit, July 1950. In 1954, Tarza performed at the Palace Theater in Buffalo, NY in a special "Black and White Midnight Jamboree." The show featured two casts--one with all white performers, and another with all Black performers. Tarza was listed as an "exotic dancer." In 1955, Tarza was listed as an interpretive dancer performing at Club MoonGlo with an "exotic fire dancer" Estelita. In 1956, she traveled to Lima, Ohio where she performed at Oliver's Cocktail Lounge and Nite Club on two occasions--once in March and another in July of the same year. Oliver's advertised Tarza as "The finest exotic dancer in America today" and "Exciting exotic dancer." She continued to perform at Oliver's into January 1957 where she was billed as "exotic dancer deluxe." In February 1957, she traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin and performed at "The Rite Spot Nite Spot" with Willie Caruth's Revue featuring Dual Washington's Band.

 Tarza returned to Oliver's again in April 1958:

Tarza in North Omaha | 1958

By 1958, Tarza was an accomplished burlesque dancer. She graced the stage of the Off Beat Supper Club in North Omaha in the fall of 1958. The show opened on Friday September 5, 1958 with two performances nightly for 5 nights a week! Learn more about burlesque at 2410 Lake Street here.

(The Omaha Star. Ad for the Off Beat Supper Club. September 5, 1958)

Kathia, an interpretive dancer, also performed in the show, along with singer Shirley Wahls. The advertisement states, "Direct from the Flame Show Bar & the Club De Lisa."

She traveled back to Lima, Ohio in 1959 to perform two more times during the Spring of that year.

(The Lima News. Advertisement for Tarza at Oliver's. Page 23. May 30, 1959)

1960s

Tarza "The Young" traveled to Helena, Montana in November 1960 where she performed at the Ozark Club. She's billed as "Tarza Young--like Exoticville Latin Quarter Yet!" She continued to perform there well into December 1960.

(Great Falls Tribune. Advertisement for Tarza at the Ozark Club. Page 10. December 17, 1960)

The caption under "Tarza Young" states, "Throw away your Prestone, Tarza is here and when she returns to the Latin Quarter they will change their name to Minsky's Follies Bergere."

September 1961, Tarza was in St. Louis, performing at the Faust Club. According to the St. Louis Argus, Tarza's recent engagements were, "the Ozark Club in Great Falls, Montana; New Era Club, Nashville, Tennessee; and Chick's Lounge, Baltimore, MD. By November, Tarza was in Buffalo, NY, performing with Toni Elling, another exotic, at the Club Shalimar.