A saucy vivacious beauty who always seemed more comfortable in outdoors shots than interiors, Bettie Page was photographed in all manner of compromising (literally) positions, yet with such a verve and humor that it never seemed she was being taken advantage of. They’re campy photos. Fun. She’s fearless. You don’t look at those photos and worry about her. I like her best when she’s rolling in the grass in a leopard skin bathing suit, or cavorting on the beach, digging her toes into the sand.
She walked away from her career as an S&M pinup girl after a brou-haha involving censorship, and she also found God, and it just didn’t seem right for her to pose in that manner anymore. But she never downtalked or denigrated her former self (unlike some other performers I can think of. Dear Madge, I’m looking at you. I liked you BETTER in your former dirty-girl incarnation, it was way more honest and forthright than the bad-British-accented persona you have adopted now). She also wasn’t afraid to say that she had no idea what people found so erotic in photos of her tied up, it didn’t appeal to her at all, but, as always, she did so in a way that didn’t alienate her main fan base. Page apparently was a devoted correspondent to her many fans, sending them thank you letters for remembering her so fondly. She did not trash her fans for liking the dirty photos she had taken. She knew that, in general, her fans “got it”. So they were turned on by her photos. Isn’t sexual desire a natural part of life? It seemed to me that her general attitude towards all of that was, “Well, I’m happy to help out in any way I can!”
Page said once, in a recent interview, that if she could do it all over again, she would probably join a nudist colony. She flat out just felt more comfortable nude than clothed. There was nothing dirty about it for her. Ever.
I have a book of her photographs, edited by pioneer photographer Bunny Yaeger, and I just looked through them this morning, in tribute to Ms. Page. The black bangs, the arched back, the naughty grin … These are dirty photos, make no mistake about it, but as anyone who enjoys sex knows – there’s something innocent about sex as well. It’s like playing. It’s like being free, going into the dreamworld where you can be anyone you want to be. She captures that.
She did not have a happy life. She was institutionalized for a time, she had multiple mental problems, and ended up poverty-struck, living off of Social Security checks. Despite this, she had a loyal group of fans who still loved her, keeping the flame alive, and she lived long enough to see the Bettie Page Renaissance we are living in right now. Amazingly enough, even when the film The Notorious Bettie Page came out, with the wonderful Gretchen Mol in the lead role, Page refused to be photographed at any of the events surrounding the film. She loved the film, she supported its making … but she had her mind on her fans, and what it would do to them to see her as an 80-something year old woman. She wanted the fantasy to remain intact for them.
She said “I want to be remembered as I was when I was young and in my golden times. I want to be remembered as a woman who changed people’s perspectives concerning nudity in its natural form.”
The meaning of generosity.
Rest in peace, Ms. Page.
now thats a star
what a wonderful woman
Yes, rest in peace.
A couple of years ago, at a signing session, she was presented with a picture of herself to autograph. Giving the picture a look over she said “My land! Is that supposed to be me? I was never that pretty.”
It’s good that she’s being remembered. She had beauty, class, and humility, two of which are now, sadly, in short supply
I’d hate to see how they’d airbrush her today. She — horrors! — has meat on her bones! And what looks to be a fat roll on her back! Release the hounds!!!
Yeah, I hate those airbrushed pics too, Lisa. What I really love is the Page revival that Sheila talks about. Real big in the Bowling-shirt wearing, Psychobilly listening, Roller Derby loving crowd (of which, aside from the bowling shirt, I am a part).
George – “My land! Is that supposed to be me? I was never that pretty.”
How utterly adorable.
Oh, I’m so sad to hear that. Rest in peace.
You should all check out the movie about her “The Notorious Bettie Page,” it’s real interesting.
Also there’s a web site dedicated to her, and it’s loaded with many of her photos.
I’ve never been able to articulate what Bettie had; many have tried, and most do a better job than me, but still no one has ever really explained it. The closest I can come is she was magic in front of the camera. Were the pictures dirty? For their time, absolutely, but pretty tame for today, yet her following is bigger than ever. She was real, she was sexy, she was adored and she will forever be in her prime.
I’ll miss her along with her legion of fans.
Rude – To me, “dirty” is a compliment! They may seem tame – in that they aren’t 100% graphic – but some of them are still rather shocking, especially because she seems like a full and happy participant, rather than a well-paid bored botox-ed porn star. The photos are SILLY – and I love them for it. Because acting out fantasies like that can be rather silly.
I have always been sorry that I moved to New York post-smut-cleanup. I love smut and it’s one of the main appeals of New York (or was). Now you have to leave New York to find the real smut, and that’s a shame.
One of the best things about Bettie Page (I think) is that she is somehow letting us know that she is “in on the joke” – which I think goes a long way to describing her appeal.
And her bangs … Come on, her bangs!! I could never wear bangs like that, and it makes me very sad.
Bettie Page fan: Yes I saw the movie and loved it!!
Thanks for your comment!
Sheila, I know just what you mean about her. She always looked like she was just having a blast! A twinkle in her eye and that smile!
As for the bangs; I blame Ms Page for my attraction to women with bangs, and curves, and stockings, and… hell, I’d better quit now! ;)
Sheila, I know just what you mean about her. She always looked like she was just having a blast! A twinkle in her eye and that smile!
As for the bangs; I blame Ms Page for my attraction to women with bangs, and curves, and stockings, and… hell, I’d better quit now! ;)
Oh yeah, and by “dirty” I mean erotic. The smut of today is mainly vulgar explicit stuff, not anything close to erotic art. Bettie to me is and always will be the epitome of erotic art.
Erotic is a MUCH better word than “dirty”, you are so right!
Nothing LESS erotic than 100% graphic stuff, like nowadays … Bettie Page was in more of the burlesque tradition (which actually is making a comeback – at least in New York – and I think that’s so great!)
Thanks for your awesome comments!