Hinda Wassau

Hinda Wassau (born 1912) was a former chorus girl who became a star of striptease and burlesque. She was from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States."Hinda With Whiteman", Syracuse Herald, April 24, 1932, Page 33.]

Innovative dancer

Wassau was in burlesque dancing beginning in 1928. ["Answers To Questions",Hammond, Indiana Times, March 7, 1940, Page 14.] She claimed that she invented striptease when she was a chorus girl and one of her straps broke. The audience applauded enthusiastically. ["Boston Girds For Strippers", Oakland Tribune, November 25, 1965, Page 40.] Wassau appeared inin an Ed E. Daley production, "Temptations", presented at the Robbins Playhouse in Syracuse, New York, in June 1929. Theblonde entertainer displayed both her singing and dancing talents in the stage comedy. [ "Hinda Wassau Returns as Guest Star of TempleShow", Syracuse Herald, June 10, 1929, Page 10.]

She was recruited by
Billy Rose for his revue which showcased Eleanor Powelland Hal LeRoy. Premiering in late July 1932, Wassau was described by Rose as "the best cooch dancer since Gilda Gray first startled the public." ["Repertory Company to Be Formed ForWinter By Katharine Cornell, Oakland Tribune, July 24, 1932,Page 15] She was on the same bill as the Paul Whiteman Orchestra."Hinda With Whiteman", Syracuse Herald, April 24, 1932, Page 33.] Wassau played the Ritz Theater in Syracuse with "Bozo" Snyder in March 1933. The burlesque show was called "Follies of the Day". ["At The Theaters", Syracuse Herald, March 9, 1933, Page 15.]

Wassau was managed by her husband, Rube Bernstein, in 1938. Ann Corio had the same manager until she discovered Wassau was gettingbetter breaks and dancing at a competitor club. Corio quickly firedBernstein. At the time Corio had moved from burlesque to vaudeville and was heading a troupe at Fay's Theater in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ["Theater Topics", Nebraska State Journal, April 24, 1938, Page 37.] Wassau was planning adivorce in February 1941. ["Walter Winchell", Port Arthur, Texas News, February 28, 1941, Page 18. ]

Erotic dancer Georgia Sothern debuted a magic act at the Samoa nightclub on 52nd Street (Manhattan) in February 1948. Wassau soon followed Sothern as a 52nd Street entertainer. ["Overenthusiastic About Wrestling", Zanesville, Ohio Times Recorder, February 7, 1948, Page 5]

Versatile performer

She was tested several times for a Hollywood film contract. ["Hollywood Goes in for the Strip-Tease---But in a Perfectly Nice Way", Ogden, Utah Standard-Examiner, June 20, 1937, Page 24.] Wassau was considered for the role of Sadie Thompson in a revival of "Rain" at a Rochester, New York stock theater in June 1940. The character was made famous by Jeanne Eagels inthe 1920s. ["Walter Winchell On Broadway", Burlington, North Carolina Daily Times-News, June 15, 1940, Page 4.]

References

External links

* [http://condor.depaul.edu/~american/theme/theatre/theatreEvents.html Hinda Wassau] at Depaul University website