#485 - Female Mimics 5 The Story of Ava-Graph Health Knowledge

Female Mimics, Volume 1, Number 5
Health Knowledge, Inc.
New York, New York
1965

digital replica

InFemale Mimics, we meet men who entertain professionally, singing, dancing and telling jokes on the stages of cabarets. The fifth issue of this classic magazine introduces us to a couple of other offbeat subjects, as well, neither of which directly relates to female impersonation.

With many pictures of guests having fun, an article tells us of an urban cocktail party where all in attendance are female impersonators. We see them drinking, smoking, gabbing, fixing hair, polishing nails, on the phone and posing in lacy undies in the bedroom.

We meet “Puerto Rican Peach” Emilio Tellez, whose onstage persona is Renee del Rio. After applying make-up and wig, he fastens nylons to a bustier and shows off his legs on the sofa.

The Jewel Box Revue took a trip to the country, presenting its beautiful men to vacationers in a resort hotel. Photographs show performers onstage, backstage and at a poolside beauty contest.

Photographer Avery Willard wrote The Story of Ava-Graph, which turns out to be an account of how he and Minette produced a series of films featuring impersonators in female roles. Starting out with a silent short, the account explains how talented friends were recruited to improvise, not in studio, but in houses that had a turn-of-the-century look. Then, a screenplay was developed for a full length feature, The Dead Sister's Secret, filmed in color. On-location photos show actors in costume.

Bambi worked at Le Carrousel Club in Paris as an impersonator while Cocinelle underwent sex-change surgery. After the star's remarkable transformation, Bambi also opted for full, anatomical womanhood. Photographs show her slender loveliness, on stage, backstage, at home and on the street.

Comedian Pudgy Roberts and impersonation vocalist Leslie Carroll are shown performing at New York's festive Crazy Horse Cafe. At home, Bunny Lake applies make-up and wig, then models hosiery and high heels.

The digital replica contains every word and picture of the original 72-page magazine, including letters from readers (with snapshots) and advertising. Some page layouts have been changed. Page sequence was revised to obtain continuity of the article.

Photograph tone was adjusted, and specks retouched, achieving clear images and smooth textures. The original magazine has good photography and the ebook makes the most of it.

All new scans.

The digital replica provides the best mechanism for enjoying this glittery volume of 20th century showbiz nostalgia, featuring faces and figures of “Gorgeous Guys”.

One ebook, delivered by download from your 30th Street Graphics account.