Thida Loy
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Thida Loy began performing as a burlesque dancer in San Francisco in the 1930s. The earliest newspaper advertisements for Loy were in December 1935, though she could've been performing under a different name before.
(The Wichita Beacon. "Pfizzlewinks Dancer." Princess Thida Loy dressed for her Veil Dance. Page 5. February 20, 1940)
When she started performing her own fan dance, she received the racist moniker "The Chinese Sally Rand of Hollywood". Being compared to Sally Rand would follow her her entire career. The Oregon Daily Journal stated, "Thida Loy, said to be Sally Rand's only rival from the Orient." Thida Loy was a petite dancer in a league of her own. She created many more dance routines than other fan dancers of the time.
(The Billboard Magazine. US. Thida Loy. Page 2. May 7, 1938)
Featuring Interpretive and Character Dance Creations including:
"Sophisticated Lady", "Maid of the Mist", "Phantasy in Fans", "Green and Gold Phantasy", "Modern Moods", "Dance in Lavender", "Dance Exotique", "Serenade in Jazz", "Smoke", "Chinese Rhumba", "The Orientale", "Danse Nocturne", "Deep Forest", and "Malihini Mele" (Mahlihini meaning 'foreigner to a new place' and Mele meaning 'chant' or 'song' in Hawaiian). By 1940, Loy had added several acts to her repertoire: "Death of the Butterfly", "Songs of India", and "Chino Soy".
(The Oregon Daily Journal."From the Orient." Page 20. April 7, 1937)
Caption reads, "Thida Loy, called the Sally Rand of the Far East, who is presenting her 'Maid of the Mist' dance at the Capitol stage."
(The Wichita Eagle. Thida Loy. Page 3. February 19, 1940)
Loy performed her "oriental fan dance" at Mori's Cafe (440 Broadway San Francisco, CA) three times nightly! She produced her own shows often, such as "Romance in Hawaii" where she acted as the Mistress of Ceremonies. She cast two other performers, Violet Meyers and Kay Sands, in the show. It featured native Hawaiian songs and dances--plus a "hula moderne".
Car Accident & Court Case | 1936
On June 26, 1936 Thida filed a civil suit in San Francisco Municipal court against the Yellow Cab Company. She sued the company for $2,000 ($45,257.55 today) in damages after she was a passenger in a cab that halted suddenly. The jerk apparently injured her enough she had to stop dancing, which was bringing her $70 a week ($1,584.01 today). The conclusion of the trial was not reported on.
(The San Francisco Examiner. "A New Step--Into Court." Page 32. June 27, 1936)
Loy continued to perform on theater stages and at conventions and stag parties across the United States.
(The Oregon Daily Journal. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Capitol Theatre. Page 46. March 28, 1937)
(The Billboard Magazine. Advertisement for Thida Loy. US. August 13, 1938)
(The Oregon Daily Journal. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Capitol Theatre. Portland, OR. Page 39. November 13, 1938)
(The San Francisco Examiner. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Chinese Sky Room. Page 32. February 5, 1941)
Thida Loy in Nebraska | 1938
Loy was the featured attraction at the Rustic Inn in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. She had recently appeared at the Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming and performed at the Rustic Inn for two weeks.
(Scottsbluff Daily Star Herald. "Fan Dancer Featured." August 19, 1938)
(Scottsbluff Daily Star Herald. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Rustic Inn. August 19, 1938)
Caption reads, "Recently broke all records! Played before 50,000 people at Frontier Days Cheyenne, Wyo. She has thrilled thousands in America and Europe with her sensational dancing!"
(The Klamath News. Klamath Falls, OR. December 21, 1938)
Thida Loy continued to perform throughout the 1940s where she traveled internationally to showcase her burlesque dances. In 1941 she was billed as a 'peek-a-boo' dancer. The last performance I could find was with the "Young China Troupe; America's Greatest Chinese Show" at Club Oakland in March 1949.
(Oakland Tribune. Oakland, CA. Advertisement for Thida Loy at Club Oakland. Page 5. March 12, 1949)
After 1949, it seems Thida Loy retired from dancing or began performing under another name. She could've retired and faded into anonymity.
If you have any information about her post 1949, please contact Iona Fortune at ionafortuneburlesque@gmail.com
Sources
- Oakland Tribune. Oakland, CA. Advertisement for Thida Loy at Club Oakland. Page 5. March 12, 1949
- The Klamath News. Thida Loy. Klamath Falls, OR. December 21, 1938
- Scottsbluff Daily Star Herald. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Rustic Inn. August 19, 1938
- Scottsbluff Daily Star Herald. "Fan Dancer Featured." August 19, 1938
- The San Francisco Examiner. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Chinese Sky Room. Page 32. February 5, 1941
- The Oregon Daily Journal. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Capitol Theatre. Portland, OR. Page 39. November 13, 1938
- The Billboard Magazine. Advertisement for Thida Loy. US. August 13, 1938
- The Oregon Daily Journal. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Capitol Theatre. Page 46. March 28, 1937
- The San Francisco Examiner. "A New Step--Into Court." Page 32. June 27, 1936
- The Wichita Eagle. Thida Loy. Page 3. February 19, 1940
- The Oregon Daily Journal."From the Orient." Page 20. April 7, 1937
- The Billboard Magazine. US. Thida Loy. Page 2. May 7, 1938
- The Wichita Beacon. "Pfizzlewinks Dancer." Princess Thida Loy dressed for her Veil Dance. Page 5. February 20, 1940
- Nevada State Journal. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Dog House. Page 2. May 5, 1939
- Nevada State Journal. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Dog House. Page 2. July 17, 1940
- The Oregon Daily Journal. Advertisement for Thida Loy at the Capitol Theatre. Portland, OR. Page 10. March 30, 1937
- The San Francisco Examiner. "Mori's." Page 18. May 23, 1936
- The San Francisco Examiner. "Mori's." Page 18. June 6, 1936
- The San Francisco Examiner. "Dancer Asks $2,000." Page 32. June 27, 1936
- The Oregon Daily Journal. "Fan Dancers From Orient Coming to Capitol." Page 5. March 27, 1937
- The Oregon Daily Journal. "From the Orient." Page 20. April 7, 1937
- Scottsbluff Daily Star Herald. "Fan Dancer Featured." August 19, 1938
- The Oregon Daily Journal. "Magic Stunts At Capitol Intriguing." Ken Madden. Page 11. November 8, 1938
- University Place News. "Mendell Spends Summer Vacation Singing On KGKY, In Night Clubs." Jeanne Souser. September 22, 1938
- Lansing State Journal. "Three Good Acts on Deerhead Bill." Page 16. September 29, 1939
- The Wichita Beacon. "Chinese 'Sally Rand' to Dance at Stag Frolic." Page 5. February 16, 1940
- The Wichita Beacon. "Pfizzlewinks Dancer." Page 5. February 20, 1940
- The Wichita Beacon. "Chinese Sally Rand of Hollywood." Page 3. February 19, 1940
- The San Francisco Examiner. Page 30. October 30, 1942
- The Oakland Post Enquirer. Page 8. February 5, 1949
2 comments
Terrific profile of one of the early legends of burlesque! Thank you for researching, sharing, and keeping her memory alive ♥️💐
Terrific profile of one of the early legends of burks! Thank you for researching, sharing, and keeping her memory alive ♥️💐