The Infectious Bettie Page

Bettie Page Rules! (Who didn't know that?)

2010-05-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

Bettie Page rules! If ever there was a reason to believe in love at first sight, that reason would be Bettie Page. But what did Bettie offer that other's didn't?

A firsthand account of life behind the lens of the 1950s pinup scene with Bettie Page Rules!

This book is bursting at the seams with all-new pinup paintings from Silke, capturing the 1950s’ most beautiful woman in sizzling detail, not to mention an incredible selection of never-before-seen photos of Bettie. You have to see it to believe it! Book measures 12-inches tall x 9-inches wide and is full color. 128 pages.

Bettie Page Portfolio Art Collection One of glamour art's most gifted illustrators, again, Jim Silke presents a series of beautiful, painted images of his best-known inspiration, the incomparable Bettie Page. Originally created for Bettie Page Rules, this suite includes previously unpublished pencil studies as well as the finished color pieces. Dark Horse is proud to continue our series of portfolios with this set of charming and provocative renditions of the queen of the pinups.

This set of full-color pictures are text free and suitable for framing. The back of the folder pictures all the interior images, so they can be viewed in the store without having to open the package.

Two great books with photos you can frame : )

Play Your Cards Right With Bettie Page

2010-04-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

Bettie Page Playing Cards

Bettie page standard deck of playing cards.

Now honestly .... is there anything standard about our Bettie?

Bettie Page Memorabilia

2010-03-04T16:04:00.001-08:00

Why is everyone looking for Bettie page Memorabilia?

When it comes to “Bettie Page”, two of her most memorable and distinctive personal attributes were her smile; deep, dark black hair and childlike abandon. A more personal trait that she projected was her ability to light up a room with her child like abandon and beauty. This 6-inch “Bettie Page” Action Figure embodies the elegance and sex appeal that she presented. With the sexy pose and the likeness that this action figure embraces, this is unquestionably a personal characteristic that many people would enjoy.

While looking through approximately a dozen art portrait-related websites, Eolivia.com boldly stood out. Widely known for their exotic pin-up art, they definitely have several spectacular pieces.

While “Bettie Page” was the focus of this post. I discovered many awesome patriotic-related pin-up artwork that I would like to share. WWII was a tough and extremely violent war, but there are some unique and vintage pin-up artwork available. Here’s a vintage lady luck WWII pin-up metal sign, along with a beautiful Memphis Belle B-17 pin-up winged metal sign. Both of these signs show the beauty and grace of pin-up artwork during WWII.

I’m always looking for additional suggestions. If you know or have stumbled across some distinctive “Bettie Page” related products, or information not on this site, please post them in the comment section.

Dylan's "Christmas in the Heart," and a Tribute to Bettie Page

2009-12-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late getting this up ... but, better late than never. Bob Dylan has come out with his first Christmas Album called "Christmas in the Heart," which also pays tribute to the late Bettie Page.

Bettie Page appears on the back page of the album booklet, in an image of the famed pinup artist's, Olivia, Christmas drawing of Bettie Page. This album is available now in stores and online on Amazon.com.

The 2009 holiday release, Dylan's 47th album and follows the worldwide success of his album Together Through Life. In a commitment to ending hunger, all of Bob Dylan's U.S. current and future royalties from sales of Christmas In The Heart will be donated in perpetuity to Feeding America, guaranteeing that more than four million meals will be provided to over 1.4 million people in need in this country during this year's holiday season. There are 15 tracks including 'Here Comes Santa Claus', 'Winter Wonderland', 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' and many others.

Honestly, as you know; Page became a devout Christian when she left her modeling years. This very humble and nice gesture by Dylan would probably please her very much.

Check out a few of Dylan's Videos.

Bob Dylan " Must Be Santa" directed by Nash Edgerton (he's the one that jumps through the glass window) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVs6X9yIM_k

Bob Dylan * Little Drummer Boy : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcXW0Se4HMs
It's an animated video conceived, hand-painted and directed by artist and filmmaker Jeff Scher .

Real Bettie Page Interview from 1996 - Her Own Words

2009-05-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

Entertainment reporter Tim Estiloz chatted face-to-face with the REAL Bettie Page in this exclusive "one on one" 1996 TV Interview. In this rare recorded interview -The REAL Bettie Page herself candidly recounts in-depth and with humor, multiple anecdotes about her life and modeling career. This story has not been seen publicly since it's initial and only 1996 broadcast.

Estiloz had the exclusive opportunity to meet with the reclusive Bettie Page... during a unique and brief situation where she was assisting to promote her authorized biography "Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin Up Legend" at the time of publication. In her 70's at the time - Bettie was lively and in good health... and Estiloz says "a joy" to talk to - and an unforgettable moment for him.

This story is an extremely rare tribute to the beautiful, iconic Bettie Page - and a gift to fans who only know her through her photos. Now - fans can hear Bettie Page speak in her own words... bringing her soothing and vibrant Southern accented voice and personality to life.

This story was written and produced by entertainment reporter, Tim Estiloz ... and Tim considers himslef very blessed to have gained Bettie's trust for this rare opportunity. God Bless you Bettie.ALL photographs and images in this story came from the aforementioned Bettie Page biography - and their usage in this story was legally authorized by... and with the full cooperation and permission of the publisher.A Hi- Definition video and audio version is also available for viewing - also on "FilmFanTV"

Be sure to visit Tim's website: www.TimEstiloz.comhttp://www.timestiloz.com/Site/Home.html

Bettie Page Funeral and Gravesite

2009-03-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Burial::Westwood Memorial Park Los AngelesLos Angeles CountyCalifornia, USA
Maintained by: Find A GraveRecord added: Dec 12 2008 Find A Grave Memorial# 32128419

(source: Find A Grave)

To view Bettie Page's Funeral please visit the Baltimore Sun Coverage (Photos are copyrighted so I cannot load them here ... see them at this link)

Bettie Page Interred at Westwood Cemetery 12/16/08

2008-12-16T19:40:00.000-08:00

Birth: Apr. 22, 1923
Jackson
Madison County
Tennessee, USA

Death: Dec. 11, 2008
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County
California, USA

Burial: Westwood Memorial Park
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County California, USA

Source: Find a Grave

Memorium Statement by Bettie Page's Agent Mark Roesler

2008-12-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

In Memory of Bettie Mae Page

"With deep personal sadness I must announce that my dear friend and client Bettie Page passed away at 6:41pm PST this evening in a Los Angeles hospital. She died peacefully but had never regained consciousness after suffering a heart attack nine days ago.

She captured the imagination of a generation of men and women with her free spirit and unabashed sensuality. She is the embodiment of beauty."

Statement by Mark Roesler, business agent for Bettie Page

April 22, 1923 to December 11, 2008

A private funeral service is planned for Tuesday.

Page will buried at Westwood Cemetery in Los Angeles, just a few feet away from Monroe.

Source: http://www.bettiepage.com/obit/index.html

Bettie Page Dies at Age 85 - "Free at Last"

2008-12-12T08:53:00.000-08:00

Bettie Page ... "Free at last!"

I think everyone knew it was coming. It's been a waiting game since the 2nd. So where does one start when the inevitable has happened? I guess to go with the standard obituary first ...

Bettie Page, the brunet pinup queen with a shoulder-length pageboy hairdo and kitschy bangs whose saucy photos helped usher in the sexual revolution of the 1960s, has died. She was 85. The L.A. Times' Louis Sahagun writes a nice obit. Sahagun was one of the last reporters to spend time with Page, back in 2006. He wrote about his visit here.

Page, whose later life was marked by depression, violent mood swings and several years in a state mental institution, died Thursday night at Kindred Hospital in Los Angeles, where she had been on life support since suffering a heart attack Dec. 2, according to her agent, Mark Roesler

"Bettie Page captured the imagination of a generation of men and women with her free spirit and unabashed sensuality," said Roesler, chairman of the Indianapolis-based CMG Worldwide, who was at Page's side when she died. "She was a dear friend and a special client and one of the most beautiful and influential
women of the 20th century."

A religious woman in her later life, Page was mystified by her influence on modern popular culture. "I have no idea why I'm the only model who has had so much fame so long after quitting work," she said in an interview with The Times in 2006. She had one request for that interview: that her face not be photographed. "I want to be remembered," she said, "as I was when I was young and in my golden times. . . . I want to be remembered as the woman who changed people's perspectives concerning nudity in its natural form."

In an interview 2 1/2 years ago, Hefner described Page's appeal as "a combination of wholesome innocence and fetish-oriented poses that is at once retro and very modern." With the help of admirers including Hefner, Page finally began receiving a respectable income for her work.

In an interview published in Playboy magazine in 2007, Page expressed mixed feelings about her achievements. "When I turned my life over to the lord Jesus I was ashamed of having posed in the nude," she said. "But now, most of the money I've got is because I posed in the nude. So I'm not ashamed of it now. But I still don't understand it."

She spent most of her final years in a one-bedroom apartment, reading the Bible, listening to Christian and country tunes, watching westerns on television, catching up on diet and exercise regimens or sometimes perusing secondhand clothing stores.

Occasionally, however, Page was persuaded to visit the Sunset Boulevard penthouse offices of her agents at CMG Worldwide to autograph pinups of herself in the post-World War II years of her prime. The agency controls her image and those of Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana, among others.
During one such event in early 2006, Page needed about 10 minutes to get through the 10 letters of her name. As she pushed her pen over a portrait of her in a negligee with an ecstatic smile, she laughed and said, "My land! Is that supposed to be me? I was never that pretty."

She is survived by her brother Jack Page of Nshville and sister Joyce Wallace of Blairsville, Ga.

With the above being said, I am very sad yet relieved for her. She is finally at peace. Not in any pain. And, because she was a Christian; with God. On my blogs about Bettie, I've never posed the nude pics, nor put info about her past problems with mental illness or brushes with the law because she really just wanted to live her life as a Christian, and if God forgives and puts the past behind you, then shouldn't we? It seems one
can never escape one's past, no matter how much one wishes. Sadly, society loves to keep at the negative things in one's life in the forefront, and I for one feel that the "past is the past." When does one let the past be for the person who lived it? What a dichotemy for Ms. Page. She said in later years in an interview published in Playboy magazine in 2007, mixed feelings about her achievements. "When I turned my life over to the lord Jesus I was ashamed of having posed in the nude," she said. "But now, most of the money I've got is because I posed in the nude. So I'm not ashamed of it now. But I still don't understand it."

Bettie Page walked away from the modeling and nudity at age 35. She became a cult figure in her later years . Everyone loved her for her smile, her bangs, her naivety, and girl next door wholesomeness ... and the nudity. Bettie turned her life around and became a Christian years ago and lived in poverty for years (while others took money for her photos, videos, etc.) and it wasn't until people like Hugh Hefner, her agent, Mark Roseler, Dave Stevens (Rocketeer) and others finally stepped in and were able to get licensing agreements and residuals for her so she could at least live somewhat comfortably. I do have to give kudo's to her handlers and agents, Bettie wanted to be remembered as she was and wanted no photos taken in her later years. How they were able to achieve that goal for her I will never know; but I am glad that she was able to have that wish. Bettie will remain forever young because that's how we see her. She was a star who shined brightly behind the clouds. God Speed Bettie. For more info on Bettie:

http://euphorialand.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/pin-up-icon-bettie-page-dies-at-age-85/?referer=sphere_related_content/

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-page12-2008dec12,0,6058175.story

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-bettiepage-pg,0,4467285.photogallery

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/1950s-pinup-model-bettie-page-dies-at-age-85

http://www.psychotronic.info/archive/bettie/rumor_bettie.htm

http://www.fullyarticulated.com/Bettie2.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/12/bettie.page.obit/?iref=mpstoryview

Bettie Page Still in Coma

2008-12-11T17:51:00.001-08:00

According to KSBY 6 Action News, as of December 10th, Bettie page is still in a coma. Page was a top student who became a secretary and then went into modeling. She hoped to become a mainstream actress. With her trademark short dark bangs, her photos included a centerfold in the January 1955 issue of Playboy magazine. But it was her bondage poses that made her the target of a Senate hearing on obscenity the same year. She never had to testify.

Page was out of the public eye for decades. During that time she became a born-again Christian and had a bout with mental illness. Page resurfaced in the 1990s and occasionally granted interviews but refused to allow her picture to be taken. She told the Los Angeles Times in a March 2006 interview she wanted to be remembered as she was when she was young and in her "golden times."

And she is being remembered today ... pictured is a smiling Bettie Page.

Bettie Page Hospitalized with Heart Attack

2008-12-06T16:17:00.001-08:00

LOS ANGELES – Bettie Page, a 1950s pinup known for her raven-haired bangs and saucy come-hither looks, was hospitalized in intensive care after suffering a heart attack, her agent said Friday.

"She's critically ill," Mark Roesler of CMG Worldwide told The Associated Press.

He said the 85-year-old had been hospitalized for the last three weeks with pneumonia and was about to be released when she had the heart attack Tuesday. Page was transferred to another hospital in Los Angeles and remained in intensive care Friday.

A family friend, Todd Mueller, said Page was in a coma. When asked to confirm, Roesler said, "I would not deny that," but he would not comment further on her condition.

Page, a secretary turned model, is credited with helping set the stage for the sexual revolution of the rebellious 1960s. She attracted national attention with magazine photographs of her sensuous figure that were tacked up on walls across the country.

Her photos included a centerfold in the January 1955 issue of then-fledgling Playboy magazine, as well as controversial sadomasochistic poses.

Page later spent decades away from the public eye, and during that time battled mental illness and became a born-again Christian.

After resurfacing in the 1990s, she occasionally granted interviews but refused to allow her picture to be taken.

Mueller credits his business dealings with Page for bringing her out of seclusion. He said he first met her in 1989 when he offered her "a bunch of money" to show up at autograph signings.

"I probably sold 3,000 of her autographs, usually for $200 to $300," he said. "Eleanor Roosevelt, we got $40-$50. ... Bettie Page outsells them all."

(Source) By JAMES BELTRAN, Associated Press Writer James Beltran, Associated Press Writer – Sat Dec 6, 1:52 am ET

Bettie Page Personal Data Form from 1955 ... Interesting

2008-09-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

I have seen this a few times floating around on the net, this copy is from Suicide Blonde.

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The Dino Lounge: Coolness Is Timeless: Dean Martin Ogles Tura Satana & Bettie Page

2008-08-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Dino Lounge: Coolness Is Timeless: Dean Martin Ogles Tura Satana & Bettie Page is a really great site. If you love retro, the rat pack and Dean Martin you will love this site. Full of info on Dean. And, they posted this cartoon of Dean ogling Bettie Page which I have never seen before. Check this sit out, it's great!

Bettie Page News and Update

2008-07-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

According to a Bettie Page site on Squido, Bettie is now in a nursing home.

"For those of you following the situation, Bettie had pneumonia and a kidney condition that put her in the hospital in December 2007. She became well enough to be released to a nursing home in January. As of now, she is still bed-ridden in the nursing home and her condition has stabilized but not improved significantly.

Bettie celebrated her 85th birthday on April 22, 2008: Congratulations, Bettie! Her caregivers are reading her the fan letters and cards from her many admirers and they say she really enjoys that. No new updates have happened as of late.

Cards and well-wishes may be sent to the following address and they will be forwarded along to her. Please remember to only send items that are appropriate for an elderly, Christian-oriented woman. "

Bettie Page
c/o Scoutmaster Steve Brewster
2641 South 53rd Street
Kansas City, KS 66106

I have really been pondering this ... Bettie Page is one of the few icons who has survived to old age. Most of the early icons: Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, James Dean... and others burned out way to young and were gone way to young. Yet Bettie has survived and will be remembered forever young. Amazing isn't it?

Bettie Page by James May

2008-07-31T17:00:00.001-07:00

Came across some nice art work by an artist named James May. He has quite a portfolio on Bettie Page. It's definitely worth a look see! Visit his site here.

Bettie Page ... Girl with the perfect figure and a fan : )

2008-05-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Truly the girl with the perfect figure.... anyone need to fan off?? : )

Bettie Page Dances to the Seeds

2008-04-19T19:02:00.001-07:00

Bettie Page "Girl with the perfect figure."

2008-04-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

Did you know.... Bettie Page was nicknamed the "Girl with the Perfect Figure."

Dave Stevens Loses Battle With Leukemia

2008-03-11T18:14:00.001-07:00

Dave Stevens, co creator of the Rocketeer and the artist who helped bring Bettie Page back in the spotlight passed away at the age of 52 due to complications with his battle with leukemia. He was 52. If you haven't read or seen it, I recommend checking out Rocketeer. Great stuff.

Bernie Dexter "Better than Cheesecake"

2008-01-30T09:17:00.001-08:00

There's a great article at Papier Doll Magazine on the beautiful Bernie Dexter who has many of Bettie Page's features. Below is a portion of the article... you should read the whole article. It's a nice bio.

“It’s so funny, I’m actually quite shy and get nervous before going out!” responds the 5′2″ stranger. This wasn’t a scene from one of the many short films starring Bettie Page, a legendary 1950s model with similar physical features. The seductress is 29-year-old Bernie Dexter, contemporary pinup pioneer. Originated in the 19th century, pinups were first exhibited by French artist Jules Cheret illustrating posters of women with low-cut bodices. In 1942, lonely American soldiers fighting World War II “pinned up” photographs of shapely starlets, such as Betty Grable. By the 1970s, pinups were replaced with raunchier, pornographic shoots. Today, Bernie not only teases viewers into purchasing the fashion threads of yesteryears, but has made a male-dominated pastime accessible to everyone. Read more here.

Bettie Page ... The Dark Angel

2008-01-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

From an interesting article... "In the early 1980s, comic book talent Dave Stevens based the female love interest of his hero Cliff Secord, alias "The Rocketeer", on Page. In 1987, Greg Theakston started a fanzine called The Betty Pages and recounted tales of her life, in particular, the camera club days. For the next seven years the magazine sparked a world-wide interest in Page. Women dyed their hair and cut it into bangs in an attempt to emulate the Dark Angel. The media caught wind of the cult and numerous articles were written about her, more often than not with the help of Theakston.

Since almost all of her photos were in the public domain, dozens of people launched related products and cashed-in on the craze. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous did a piece on her, as did Entertainment Tonight. Bettie, who was living in a group home in Los Angeles was astounded when she saw the E.T. piece, having no idea that she had suddenly become famous again. Betty Pages' editor, Greg Theakston contacted her and did an extensive interview with the diva in The Betty Pages Annuals V.2. Having nothing more to say on the topic, Theakston discontinued the publication. Shortly after, Page signed with a Chicago-based agent James Swanson. (Source)

Bettie Page Hospitalized Christmas Week

2007-12-31T12:02:00.000-08:00

I just read that Bettie Page was hospitalized Christmas week for pneumonia.

From Steve at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
BettieScoutsofAmerica

Dear Scouts, Your prayers are working. I just got a call from the hospital 3:58pm cst 12/27/07. Bettie does indeed have pneumonia but her condition is stabilized. Her care giver said this is very good news! They are giving her oxygen and treating her with antibiotics and even though she also has a kidney infection he is optimistic on her recovery. I’ll let you know as I hear more. Whatever you’re doing , keep it up! And Thanks to so very many of you for your calls and emails. Bettie forever…Scoutmaster Steve
(source)

Bettie Page's Playboy Christmas Pose ... 1955

2007-12-13T18:02:00.001-08:00

Legendary pin-up model Bettie Page debuted in Playboy in 1955, trimming a Christmas tree and, in the words of Edgren, “wearing naught but a Santa Claus hat and a smile.” At the time, Page — a nice, studious, Christian girl from Nashville — had established herself as a favourite model of the era’s amateur photography clubs (which, because they didn’t sell their pictures, could get away with shooting more skin) and saucy men’s magazines like Wink and Modern Sunbathing. She is now the subject of Mary Harron’s new film The Notorious Bettie Page. Harron (I Shot Andy Warhol, American Psycho) delves into Page’s semi-lucrative sideline in the kinky bondage films and shoe fetish magazines produced by the brother-and-sister team of Irving and Paula Klaw (portrayed by Chris Bauer and Lili Taylor with good-natured, “oy vey!”-sputtering, brisket-chomping delight). Despite a traumatic past that included incest and gang rape, Page (a game Gretchen Mol in a shiny black wig) is almost freakishly innocent of the meaning of what she’s doing. When her boyfriend balks at one of her naughtier photo spreads, she assures him that she’s just playing dress-up for the Klaws’s “very nice, very respectable” clientele. And when a sleazy photographer asks how she balances her career with her faith, she says that Adam and Eve were naked in Eden, and God gave her a gift for making people happy by posing nude. So what’s a girl to do? (article found here)

Bettie Page Montage Tribute

2007-12-02T15:29:00.000-08:00

A Tribute to Bettie Page I made set to "Black Betty"- by Spiderbait

Get the Pinup Look - Step By Step

2007-12-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

Here is how makeup artist Nicki Ledermann turned actress Gretchen Mol in iconic pin-up girl Bettie Page for the movie, The Notorious Bettie Page.

Skin Care: Shu Uemura rosewater toner, Epicuren Step 6 moisturizer, La Mer body lotion.

Foundation: Uslu Airlines airbrush foundation applied with an Uslu Airlines airbrush.

Shading: Bobbi Brown Taupe blush to enhance cheekbones, chin.

Concealer: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage under the foundation.

Powder: MAC Blot Powder in Medium Dark.

Cheeks: Armani Sheer Blush #2 mixed with MAC Pinch’a’cheek.

Eye Shadow: Stila in Shell all over lid and Bobbi Brown’s Taupe in crease to lift lid.

Eye Liner: Bobbi Brown eyeliner gel in Black.

Brows: Bliss pencil in Brown.

Mascara: Kevyn Aucoin volumizing mascara in Black.

Lips: Shiseido lipstick in Red #10 with matching Shiseido lip pencil.
Source: Makeup 411.com and Grace Magazine