Neon Queens is a nostalgic look back over fifty years on the Las Vegas strip
as seen through the eyes of the beautiful Las Vegas Showgirls. The author,
Gale Baker was undoubtedly one of the smallest Showgirls, standing only 5'4"
when she was a singer in the extravaganza Hallelujah Hollywood in 1973.
Always interested in becoming a writer, being short was only one of the
things that made Gale start looking for another career. "To Understand my
dilemma, you would have to picture me at the peak of what I considered my
artistic ability just short of 5' 5" dressed in rhinestones and feathers and
drowning in a sea of tits."
Although no longer performing on the Las Vegas stage, the author retained
her friendships and contacts from the strip and I suspect the writing of
this book was a labor of love. Due to the prodigious research and many
interviews, this ebook offers such a unique view of the elegant and
beautiful Showgirls of the last fifty years. The comments on their
experiences and the people famous, and not-so-famous, provide a delightful
read. Having worked with the most famous stars on the strip, you'll find
comments about many recognizable names.
Bluebell Queen, Josie Snow recalls, "One night as I was rushing to get
backstage, I nearly tripped over this tall gentleman who said, 'Hey, what's
your hurry?' After I spat out my tirade about being late and having to run,
I looked up and realized it was Elvis smiling down at me." (p. 82)
The ebook is well laid out in PDF format with a good index, and bookmark
features, making it easy to access any part of the book quickly. As with any
business, Las Vegas productions have their own language and before you get
into the anecdotal part of the book you can browse 'Production Speak' a
glossary of terms relating to the world of the Showgirls. (pp.14-17) What is
the Lead Nude? Ever wondered what a G-String is? These and many more terms
are defined for the reader.
Although it took great stamina and determination to succeed as a Showgirl,
the author has captured many hilarious anecdotes that must have provided
stress relieving laughter for the girls. Often times, they would be in
productions that included wild animals and the stories about tigers leaping
into the orchestra pit and elephants that wandered around leaving 'packages'
give us an intimate backstage view of those fabulous acts.
One interviewee, Lillian D'Honau, relates her experience with a panther
that was mauling a little boy. Without thinking, she intervened by grabbing
the boy and dragging him down a hallway where she managed to get into the
girls's dressing room. The panther followed and kept attacking. "There I was
with this little boy on top of me and this panther's eyes just inches from
my face, hissing." (p. 99) It was a very serious mauling she did save the
boy's life and she was also able to go on for her next performance.
Another thing many of the girls remember are the fantastic costumes and some
of the mishaps that occurred while onstage. Jeri Packe recalls the night she
tripped and fell during her number, losing both her wig and the roll of
toilet paper she used to fill out the top of the headpiece. "There I was
flatter than a fritter with toilet paper rolling out of my head." (p.131)
This is just part of one of many such anecdotes.
Neon Queens introduces us to the people behind the make-up and costumes and
brings them to life through their own memories. This ebook is a wonderful
glimpse into the evolution of Las Vegas as seen by the glamorous Showgirls
that were part of every production. Each story reflects the real people
behind the glitz and glamour of the strip. Really wonderful and refreshing
scenes from behind the lights that you don't see in most books about the
entertainment industry.
It's interesting to read about how the girls got started, what they
remember most and to find out what happened to them when their Vegas days
were over. As well, Baker collected over 150 photographs and many of them
are included in the photo album at the end of the ebook, so you can read the
stories and then see what the girls looked like in costume. (p. 172-196)
This multi-talented author has since been involved in many creative fields.
A playwright, songwriter/singer, author and poet, Baker is also a TV
scriptwriter and line producer. From her own unique perspective and her
interviews with many of the most famous Showgirls of the twentieth century,
Baker has put together a most entertaining and informative account of the
history and inner workings of the world of the Las Vegas entertainment
industry. A Microsoft Reader and print-on-demand version is also available.
Highly recommended.
