Folies de Paris et de Hollywood gets a little more naked than usual in this issue dedicated to the zodiac. This was issue #228, published in 1961, and in addition to the 28 pages of interesting and provocative unknown models—some of whom have received the ole disappearing pubes treatment—you get an Anita Ekberg cover and a nice final image of French film star Mylène Demongeot. We especially like the Demongeot shot, because its cuteness stands out in what is a rather racy collection. See for yourself, below.

During the 1950s, Dixie Evans billed herself as burlesque’s answer to Marilyn Monroe. By copying Monroe’s style and embedding it in sensual and clever stage performances that showcased her lush physique, Evans became internationally famous, which is why we see her on this cover of the French erotic mag Folies de Paris et de Hollywood from 1954. Inside, Evans invites French readers to imagine her sleeping in the nude, saying, “Marilyn and I are alike. We both sleep without shirts.”

Evans is still in the striptease industry today, promoting burlesque-themed events in Las Vegas, where she lives. She's also working toward finding a home for her huge collection of burlesque artifacts, which consists of items not just from her career, but from those of other legendary dancers. Many of the items reside at Emergency Arts, an exhibition space in downtown Vegas, but her goal is to create a dedicated burlesque museum that will safeguard this irreplaceable material in perpetuity. Below are a few striking Folies de Paris et de Hollywood images from this issue for your enjoyment. We’ll have more on this magazine, Dixie Evans, and burlesque in general, down the line. Meanwhile, if you haven’t seen our comprehensive burlesque post from a couple of years back, visit it here. 

Below, assorted covers of Folies de Paris et de Hollywood, a French erotic magazine that debuted in 1953. These covers are all from the late 1960s and early 1970s. You can see another issue here. 

Above you see burlesque queen Lilly Christine (here referred to as Lily), on the cover of Folies de Paris et de Hollywood issue 80, looking amazingly beautiful, yet positively radioactive, the latter thanks to some overzealous photo retouching, common at the time, 1956. More below.