Event

Behind The Burly Q

In Person: Director Leslie Zemeckis
Filmmaker Leslie Zemeckis' sinfully entertaining documentary offer a delightful look behind the curtain at the heyday of the classic American art of Burlesque

Although its origins derive from France, Great Britain and Greece, burlesque became a wildly popular American form of art that thrived in the early to mid part of the 20th century. Because of the sexual innuendo and the barely-there costumes it has largely been left out of history books. Behind the Burly Q is the behind-the-scenes stories of burlesque as told by the performers themselves. For the first time ever, the performers from the golden age of burlesque relate their heartbreaking, triumphant stories of life on the road performing in the burly circuit. Many were ashamed of their past and had never talked about their experiences. Just as many had never been asked. Director Leslie Zemeckis and producer Sheri Hellard traveled extensively across the country, tracking down and recorded dozens of interviews with little-known performers to the living legends of burlesque. Amongst those interviewed were former musicians, strippers, novelty acts, club owners, funny men and women, authors and historians assembled together for the first time ever to tell you just what really happened in a burlesque show. Behind the Burly Q is the definitive history of burlesque during its heyday. Funny, shocking, unbelievable and heartbreaking, their stories will touch your hearts. Hear the performers in their own words. See the performers in action. We invite you to peek behind the curtain at the burly show.USA, 2010, 97 min, color, DVD / Director-Writer: Leslie Zemeckis / With: Alan Alda, Joan Arline, Beverly Arlynne, Nat Bodian, Maria Bradley, Carmela, Chris Costello, Candy Cotton, Ricki Covette)