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New York, July 5, 1921. "Whirl Girls." Our second look at chorus girls for "The Broadway Whirl," a musical comedy revue at the Times Square Theatre. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.
One of the Chorines in the photo is my great-aunt Carol Seidler (real name Sophie Zajdler).
The whirl girl all the way at the back of the line has posed with a nice little hesitation step. She is the cutest one of them all IMHO. At least she knew how to stand. Very nicely shaped too.
Say what you will about what part of which girl looks good or bad but the legs on the girl in front are well shaped. Very well shaped.
I'm glad I read Shorpy only for the articles.
If you put five male celebrities in drag, the results would be, from left to right:
1. Lyle Lovett
2. Michael J. Pollard
3. Vic Morrow
4. George Harrison
5. Gary Sinise
I wonder what kind of performance they gave. When we say "chorus girl" today I imagine something like the Rockettes. But if these girls danced, they would have been quite limited in what they could do without hurting themselves if they did it in bare feet. Yet there they are, without even socks on, and the audience is there in the background so this must be their full costume.
Maybe they just stood there and sang, without dancing? But then why wouldn't they have fashionable footwear (for the period)? Even the name "whirl girls" suggests they were dancers.
A mystery.
[They're dressed a bathing-girl (beach) scene. - Dave]
I normally loathe the folks who make fun of Shorpy's maidens of yore. But I can't help saying that this photo must have been taken on the day that the bored, middle-aged wives took over. The real Whirl Girls must have been tied up in some closet when this was being taken.
The second girl has a lovely look of wistful self-doubt and longing that is sharply fetching.
"New Summer Show at The Times Square Is Rich in Girls and Has Good Comedians." New York Times review.
What really blows me about this picture is that I closely resemble (or did when I was younger) the girl in front. Same hair, nose, even expression. Very odd feeling.
They had ambition, they had.......well, they had ambition.
I think I found your grandma.
The one all the way to the right is looking right at me. Look at her! She's HOT! I think she likes me. Someone introduce me to her. The way she's smiling at me makes my heart flutter. What should I say to her? Is she going with anybody? Should I ask her out?
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