I tired quickly watching the country and western music award show last night, so I perused the competing television fare and discovered a 1919 silent film on Turner Classic Movies. Titled Yankee Doodle in Berlin, its description read "A U.S. spy infiltrates the German Army disguised as a woman."
I was intrigued.
The film starred Bothwell Browne.
That name rang a bell, so I looked him up and, voila!, Mr. Browne was "a noted theatrical female impersonator at the top of his profession when this movie was filmed," according to IMDB.
I decided to watch the film, which turned out to be a farcical romp.
Mr. Browne's femulation was excellent (see photo). Despite his flat-chested female presentation, he definitely passed.
Stana's eagle eyes strike again! I think the flat-chested look was much in vogue in 1919, so I'm not sure that wasn't intentional.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen these photos of Bothwell Browne on the New York Public Library's website?
I wonder if the flat chest was to not draw attention to "the male with the bosom". This was a time when ankles were hidden!
ReplyDelete"In olden days a glimpse of stocking Was looked on as something shocking Now heaven knows
Anything goes"