Well, Bettie fans, the day is finally here. If Bettie Page (1923–2008) was still with us, she’d be celebrating her 100th birthday today, April 22. Over the last eight or nine months, during the lead up to Bettie’s centennial milestone, I’ve been blogging regularly about various aspects of Bettie’s iconic life and work while sharing … Continue reading Queen Bettie’s 100th Birthday
Tag: Bettie Page
Queen Bettie: Bangin’
[Photographer Jerry Tibbs was] the one who got me wearing bangs. For years I had my hair parted down the middle in a ponytail, tucked down around the sides. But he said to me, "Bettie, you've got a very high forehead. I think you'd look good if you cut some bangs to cover it." Well, … Continue reading Queen Bettie: Bangin’
Queen Bettie: The Notorious Gretchen Mol
Gretchen Mol is splendid to behold in every stage of dress or undress. Todd McCarthy, Variety As an actor, how do you play one of the world’s great icons and do it even the tiniest bit of justice? This is a question Gretchen Mol must’ve wrestled with when she took on the monumental challenge of … Continue reading Queen Bettie: The Notorious Gretchen Mol
Queen Bettie: Jungle Girl
During the brief but prolific period of time that Bunny Yeager photographed Bettie Page, the two created an absolutely stunning array of classic cheesecake shots. One outing in particular has become especially popular over the years and that’s the “Jungle Bettie” sessions. In these photos, Bettie sports a scandalously high-cut animal print loincloth while hanging … Continue reading Queen Bettie: Jungle Girl
Queen Bettie: The Artist’s Muse
As I’ve mentioned previously, fine artists and comic book artists in the 1970s and 1980s were largely responsible for rediscovering Bettie Page’s modeling work, decades after she’d retreated out of view. Comic book folks really elevated Bettie to the iconic status she’s enjoyed ever since. Artists Robert Blue in Los Angeles and Olivia de Beredinis … Continue reading Queen Bettie: The Artist’s Muse
Queen Bettie: Funny Girl
Part of Bettie Page’s unique gift as an entertainer was that she fully understood how to draw eyes her way. Bettie knew exactly how to enhance her innate sex appeal through her choice of lingerie, stilettos, and the absurdly sexy contortions she could twist her body into. Importantly, she also added a sense of humor … Continue reading Queen Bettie: Funny Girl
Queen Bettie: Table It
As evidenced by last year’s “Couch Potato” post, Bettie Page made a career out of finding new and fascinating ways to athletically straddle, lounge across, or perch precariously on all sorts of furniture—including the kind not meant for sitting. How many times did your parents reprimand you for sitting or standing on tables? Well, Bettie’s … Continue reading Queen Bettie: Table It