Faith Bacon

Faith Bacon (1910–1956) was an American burlesque dancer and actress whose elaborate fan dances made her a prominent performer in the 1930s.

Connect

Fan dance: A dance in which large fans conceal and reveal the performer's body. Bacon became especially known for elaborate versions of this burlesque form.
New York City: The largest city in the United States, located at the mouth of the Hudson River. Bacon's early career developed in the city's theatrical and nightlife world.
Sally Rand: An American dancer and actress famous for her fan dance at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. Rand's similar act became Bacon's best-known rivalry over who originated the fan dance.
Hays Code: A Hollywood production code that restricted screen content, enforced from 1934 to 1968. Its restrictions formed part of the era's broader regulation of sexualized entertainment.
World's Fair: A large international exhibition showcasing industry, culture, and technology. Bacon performed at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, gaining wide attention.
Paris: The capital and largest city of France. Bacon spent time performing in Paris before her American fame.
Gypsy Rose Lee: An American burlesque performer celebrated for witty, theatrical striptease. Lee represents the distinct comic and verbal style that flourished alongside Bacon's visual spectacle.
Comstock laws: United States laws criminalizing the mailing of material deemed obscene or contraceptive. Such laws contributed to the legal climate surrounding burlesque and public nudity.
Chicago World's Fair: The 1933–1934 Century of Progress exposition held in Chicago. Her fan dance at this exposition helped establish her public reputation.
Florenz Ziegfeld: An American theatrical producer known for lavish Broadway revues called the Ziegfeld Follies. Bacon's performance career intersected with the revue tradition he popularized.