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Washington, D.C., 1919. "Mack Sennett girls." Producer Mack Sennett's comedy reels featured a bevy of "bathing beauties," among them Marvel Rea, seen here in the harlequin costume. More on these ladies here. | View full size.
This is back in the day when you could sit on an open car door with no concern.
Amazing how these have changed so little; below, from a current catalog. Typically worn by the chorus, the dancers, and anyone without specific costume requirements in a musical.
And these are showgirls--the makeup is supposed to be exaggerated, not much subtlety in the limelight.
The rolled stockings have interesting symbolism: still wearing stockings, but pulled down so you can "gasp" see bare leg skin!
In about 25 years, some of these gals will have a full time gig doing cabaret at a little joint called the Kit Kat Klub in Berlin.
The woman on the left looks pretty old.
She could be the mother of some of the other ones.
looks like an Apperson Anniversary Tourster, made in Kokomo, Indiana. Apperson was in business from 1901 to 1926.
is that mini-shovel for and/or doing in this picture?
[I'd say it's a petite sand shovel (suitable for Young Ladies), a photo prop in keeping with the typical Sennett bathing beauty seaside-frolicking motif. In most other National Photo Sennett shots, they have an oar. - tterrace]
--the makeup, hair and outfits of the day (big bows in your hair and rolled socks and/or nylons with heels?!) do these women NO favors (i.e. the fact that the girl 2nd from the right actually looks GOOD is the amazing fact here)
Just a glance at the second girl from the left. I believe that qualifies as cleavage in 1919.
Wow! The girl second from the right looks downright racy for 1919. She looks just like any modern girl of today.
But that car is pretty darn sexy too. Is there a clue on the center cap of the wheel?
[Too blurry to make out. - tterrace]
in favour of that slick automobile, what a beauty.
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