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'''Bettie Mae Page''' (though listed "Betty" on her birth certificate) born April 22, 1923 in Nashville, Tennessee, is a former [[United States|American]] [[model (person)|model]] who became famous in the 1950s for her [[fetish model]]ing and pin-up photos. While she faded into obscurity in the 1960s, she experienced a resurgence of popularity in the 1980s and now has a significant cult following.
{{Biobox new
|photo=[[Image:Bettie Page 1.jpg|240px|Bettie Page]]
|alias= Betty Page
|birth month=4
|birth day=22
|birth year= 1923
|birth ref= <ref name="facts">[http://74.124.210.120/about/fastfacts.html Facts on Official Website] (dead link)</ref><ref name="imdb"/>
|birth location= Nashville, Tennessee, USA
|death month= 12
|death day=11
|death year= 2008
|death ref= <ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081212/ap_en_ce/obit_bettie_page|title=1950s pinup model Bettie Page dies in LA at 85|author=Bob Thomas|date=December 11, 2008|publisher= Yahoo News|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214181443/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081212/ap_en_ce/obit_bettie_page|archivedate=December 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.bettiepage.com/obit/obit.html Bettie Page Memorial in Official Website]</ref>
|death location= Los Angeles, California, USA
|measurements= 36-23-35<ref name="facts"/>
|bra/cup size= {{bra|36|C}} <ref>http://ma.playboyplus.com/girls/1008/bettie-page/</ref>
|natural tits= Y
|height= {{height|ft=5|in=5.5}}<ref name="facts"/><ref name="imdb"/>
|weight= {{weight|lb=128}}<ref name="facts"/>
|body type= Slim
|eye color= Grey
|hair color= Black
|hair length= Medium
|hair shape= Straight
|underarm hair=
|pubic hair= Y
|blood=
|ethnicity= Caucasian
|nationality= American
|topless= Y
|bush= Y
|frontal= Y
|solo=
|lesbian=
|blowjob=
|facebook = BettiePageStore
|instagram = bettiepagestore
|homepage = http://www.bettiepage.com/
|imdb = 0656114
|iafd = BPage
|afdb =20948
|twitter = BettiePage
|playmatemonth = 1
|playmateyear = 1955
}}
[[Image:Bettie Page - September 09, 1954.jpg|left|thumb|Newpaper clip indicating Bettie Page named "Number One Pin-up Girl in the World" from the Vidette-Messenger in Valparaiso, Indiana]]
'''Bettie Mae Page''' (born [[April 22]], [[1923]] in Nashville, Tennessee, - [[December 11]], [[2008]] in Los Angeles, California) is a former [[American]] [[burlesque performer]], [[pin-up model]], and [[fetish model]] who became famous in the [[1950s]]. She faded into obscurity in the [[1960s]], she experienced a cult following in the [[1980s]].


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Page was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the second child of Walter Roy Page and Edna Mae Pirtle.<ref name="official_bio">[http://www.bettiepage.com/about/bio.html Official website biography] Accessed April 4, 2007.</ref> During Bettie's early years, the Page family traveled around the country in search of economic stability.<ref name="official_bio"/> At a tender age, Bettie had to face the responsibilities of caring for her younger siblings. Her parents divorced when Betty was 10 years old. Following the divorce, Page and her sister lived in an orphanage for a year. During this time, Bettie's mother worked two jobs, one as a hairdresser during the day and washed laundry at night.<ref name="official_bio"/> As a teenager, Bettie and her sisters tried different makeup styles and hairdos imitating their favorite movie stars. Bettie also learned to sew. These skills proved useful years later for her pin-up photography when Bettie did her own makeup and hair and made her own bikinis and costumes.<ref name="official_bio"/> A strong student and debate team member at Hume-Fogg High School, Bettie was voted "Most Likely to Succeed."<ref name="official_bio"/>
Bettie Page was born in Nashville, Tennessee, as a second child in her family.<ref name="official_bio">[http://www.bettiepage.com/about/biography.html Official website biography] Accessed April 4, 2007.</ref> When she was younger, she moved around the country with her family for steady money.<ref name="official_bio"/> Having responsibilities of taking care of her younger siblings, her parents divorced when she was at the age of 10. After the divorce, she lived in a orphanage with her sister for a year. During her teenage years, Bettie and her sisters tried to imitate their favorite acters, by tring different makeup and hair styles, and also learning to sew. Her skills would become useful for her photography shoots. By doing her own makeup, hair and costumes.


As the Salutatorian of her class,<ref name="official_bio"/> on June 6, 1940, Bettie Page graduated from high school with a trust fund of $10,000 and enrolled at George Peabody College with the intention of becoming a teacher. However, the next fall she began studying acting, hoping to become a movie star. At the same time, she began her first job, typing for author Alfred Leland Crab. Page graduated from Peabody with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1944. In 1943 she married Billy Neal (with whom she had attended high school) shortly before he left for active duty in World War II. For the next few years, a peripatetic Bettie traveled from San Francisco, California to Nashville to Miami, Florida and to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she felt a special affinity with the country and its culture.<ref name="official_bio"/> In November 1947, while back in the United States, Bettie filed for divorce from Neal.
Bettie received a trust fund of $10,000 when graduating from high school, <ref name="official_bio"/> and enrolling at George Peabody College in hopes of becoming a teacher. She began studying acting the fall after to become an actor. During that time she began her first job typing for author Alfred Leland Crab. She graduted with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Peabody. The year before she married Billy Neal, before he left for World War II. In the next few years, Bettie traveled to San Francisco, Nashville, Miami, and to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.<ref name="official_bio"/> Bettie filed for divorce from Neal in November 1947.


== Modeling career ==
== Modeling career ==
Following her divorce, Page worked briefly in San Francisco, and in Haiti. She moved to New York City, where she intended to find work as an [[actress]]. In the meantime, she supported herself working as a secretary. In 1950, while walking along the Coney Island shore, Bettie met Jerry Tibbs, a police officer with an interest in photography. Bettie was a willing model, and Tibbs took pictures of Bettie and put together her first pinup portfolio.<ref name="official_bio"/>
Bettie worked in San Fransisco and Haiti after the divorce. She moved to New York City with the hopes of being an [[actress]]. She worked as a secretary in the meantime. In 1950, while walking on Coney Island, Bettie met Jerry Tibbs, whom took photos of her and put together her first pin-up portfolio.


In the late 1940s, men formed what were known as camera clubs as a means of circumventing legal restrictions on the production of nude photos. These clubs ostensibly existed to promote artistic photography. However, many of them were merely fronts for the production of erotic photographs.  When Page entered the field of glamour photography she did so as a popular camera club model, working initially with photographer Cass Carr.<ref name="official_bio"/> Her lack of inhibition in posing made her a hit.  Her name and image became quickly known in the erotic photography industry, and in 1951 her image appeared in men's magazines with names like ''Wink'', ''Titter'', ''Eyefull'' and ''Beauty Parade.''<ref name="official_bio"/> At the same time she posed for photographer [[Irving Klaw]] for mail-order photographs with pin-up, [[Bondage (BDSM)|bondage]] or sado-masochistic themes, making her the first famous [[bondage model]].  
Men formed camera clubs in the last 1940's, due to result of legal restrictions on nude phots. The clubs were to promote artistic photography. When Bettie started glamour photography, she did as a popular camera club model and working with photographer Cass Carr.<ref name="official_bio"/> She was known in the photography industry and in 1951 her photos were in men's magazines such as ''Wink'', ''Titter'', ''Eyefull'' and ''Beauty Parade.''<ref name="official_bio"/> She also posed for {{photographer|Irving Klaw}}, whom ran a mail-order photography with pin-up, Bondage and sado-masochistic themes. Which made Bettie the first famous [[fetish model]].
Working with Herbert Berghoff in 1953, Bettie had roles in New York stage productions, and made several television appearances as well. Her off-Broadway productions included ''Time is a Thief'' and ''Sunday Costs Five Pesos.'' She also appeared in the Jackie Gleason show.<ref name="official_bio"/>  But Bettie's love was pin-up modeling, during one of her annual visits to Miami, Florida, Page met photographers {{photographer|Jan Caldwell}}, {{photographer|H. W. Hannau}} and {{photographer|Bunny Yeager}} in 1954.<ref name="official_bio"/> At that time Page was the top pin-up model in New York, and Yeager a former model and known photographer. Yeager signed Bettie for a photo session at the African wildlife park, Africa U.S.A. Park in Boca Raton, Florida. The ''Jungle Bettie'' photographs from this shoot are among her most celebrated.  The photos include nude shots with a pair of cheetahs named Mojah and Mbili. The leopard skin patterned ''Jungle Girl'' outfit was made by herself.


In 1953, working with Herbert Berghoff, Bettie secured several roles in New York stage productions, and made several television appearances as well. Her off-Broadway productions included ''Time is a Thief'' and ''Sunday Costs Five Pesos.'' Bettie even appeared in the Jackie Gleason show.<ref name="official_bio"/>  But Bettie's first love was pin-up modeling.  In 1954, during one of her annual pilgrimages to Miami, Florida, Page met photographers Jan Caldwell, H.W. Hannau and [[Bunny Yeager]].<ref name="official_bio"/> At that time Page was the top pin-up model in New York, and Yeager a former model and aspiring photographer. Yaeger signed Page for a photo session at the now closed African wildlife park Africa U.S.A. Park in Boca Raton, Florida. The ''Jungle Bettie'' photographs from this shoot are among her most celebrated.  They include nude shots with a pair of cheetahs named Mojah and Mbili. The leopard skin patterned ''Jungle Girl'' outfit she wore was made, along with much of her lingerie, by Bettie herself.
After Bunny Yeager sent shots of Bettie to ''[[Playboy]]'' founder Hugh Hefner, whom featured Page as the January 1955 [[Playmate|Playmate of the Month]], the [[centerfold]] model for the two-year-old ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine. In 1955, Bettie won the title "Miss Pinup Girl of the World."<ref name="official_bio"/>


After Bunny Yeager sent shots of Bettie to ''[[Playboy]]'' founder [[Hugh Hefner]], Hefner featured Page as the January 1955 [[Playmate|Playmate of the Month]], the [[centerfold]] model for the two-year-old ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine. In 1955, Bettie won the title "Miss Pinup Girl of the World."<ref name="official_bio"/>
While pin up models had careers measured in months, Page was in demand for some years, continuing to model until 1957. Thought she posed nude, she never appeared in scenes with explicit sexual content. The reasons for her departure from pin-up, glamour, and fetish modeling vary. Some reports mention the ''Estes Kefauver Hearings'' of the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency, which ended {{photographer|Irving Klaw}}'s bondage and S&M mail-order photography business. In fact, the United States Congress called her to testify to explain the photos in which she appeared. While she was excused from appearing before the committee, the print negatives of her photos were destroyed by court order. Years after, the negatives that survived were illegal to print. <ref name="imdb">[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0656114/bio Internet Movie Database: Bettie Page]</ref>


While pin up and glamour models frequently have careers measured in months, Page was in demand for several years, continuing to model until 1957. Although she frequently posed in the nude, she never appeared in scenes with [[Sexually explicit material|explicit sexual content]].  The reasons reported for her departure from pin-up, glamour, and fetish modeling vary. Some reports mention the ''Estes Kefauver Hearings'' of the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency, which ended [[Irving Klaw]]'s bondage and S&M mail-order photography business. In fact, the United States Congress called her to testify to explain the photos in which she appeared. While she was excused from appearing before the committee, the print negatives of many of her photos were destroyed by court order. For many years after, the negatives that survived were illegal to print. <ref name="imdb">[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0656114/bio Internet Movie Database: Bettie Page]</ref>
The reason for ending her modeling career due to converting to Christianity while in Florida in 1957. The last known facts about her life, was the divorce from Armond Walterson in the early 1960's and working for a Christian organization. She worked briefly as a missionary and as a religious seminary.<ref name="imdb"/>
 
However, the most obvious reason for ending her modeling career was her conversion to Christianity while living in Florida in 1957, after which she severed all contact with her prior life. For many years, the last generally known facts of her life were the divorce from Armond Walterson in the early 1960s and that she was working for a Christian organization. For a time Page even entered a religious seminary, then worked briefly as a Christian missionary.<ref name="imdb"/>


== The Bettie Page revival ==
== The Bettie Page revival ==
In 1976, Eros Publishing Co. published ''A Nostalgic Look at Bettie Page'', a mixture of  photos from the 1950s. Between 1978 and 1980, Belier Press published four volumes of ''Betty Page: Private Peeks'', reprinting pictures from the private camera club sessions, which reintroduced Page to a new but small cult following. <ref> http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm </ref> In 1983, London Enterprises released ''In Praise of Bettie Page - A Nostalgic Collector's Item'', <ref> http://www.amazon.com/Nostalgic-Look-Bettie-Page-Number/dp/B000UGFZD6/ref=sr_1_34/002-7729325-8572025?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187411047&sr=1-34 </ref> reprinting camera club photos and an old [[cat fight]] photo shoot.
[[Image:bond-04.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Bettie Page bondage photo]]
 
A mixture of photos from the 1950s was published by the Eros Publishing Co, titled ''A Nostalgic Look at Bettie Page''. From 1978 to 1980, 4 volumes of ''Betty Page: Private Peeks'' where made by Belier Press, which contained pictures from the private camera club sessions, reprinting camera club photos and a old cat fight photo shoot in 1983. Which has a small cult following when introduced.<ref> http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm </ref> London Enterprises released ''In Praise of Bettie Page - A Nostalgic Collector's Item'', <ref>http://www.amazon.com/Nostalgic-Look-Bettie-Page-Number/dp/B000UGFZD6/</ref>
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'' <ref> http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm </ref> 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 Bettie movement and wrote numerous articles about her, more often than not with the help of Theakston. Since almost all of her photos were in the public domain, opportunists launched related products and cashed in on the burgeoning craze.
 
In the mid 1990s, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous did a segment on Page, as did ''Entertainment Tonight''. Page, who was living in a group home in Los Angeles, was astounded when she saw the ''E.T.'' piece, having had no idea that she had suddenly become famous again. Betty Page's editor, Greg Theakston, contacted her and did an extensive interview for ''The Betty Page Annuals'' V.2.
 
Shortly after, Page signed with Chicago-based agent James Swanson. Three years later, nearly penniless and failing to receive any royalties, Page fired Swanson and signed with Curtis Management Group, a company which also represented the James Dean and [[Marilyn Monroe]] Estate (law)|estates. She then began collecting payments which ensured her financial security.


After Jim Silke made a large format comic featuring her likeness, Dark Horse Comics published, in the 1990s, a comic based on her fictional adventures. Eros Comics published several Bettie Page titles, the most popular being the tongue-in-cheek ''Tor Love Bettie'' which suggested a romance between Page and wrestler-turned-Ed Wood film actor, Tor Johnson.  
Comic book talent Dave Stevens based the love interest of his hero Cliff Secord ("The Rocketeer") on Bettie Page. In 1987, Greg Theakston started a fanzine called ''The Betty Pages'' <ref> http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm </ref> and recounted tales of her life of the camera club photoshoots. In the next 7 years, the magazone started a world-wide interest in Bettie Page's modeling. Women would dyed their hair black and cut it into bangs in an attempt to loo like the "Dark Angel". The media caught on with the Bettie revival and wrote a number of articles about her.


In 1997, E!: Entertainment Television's ''E! True Hollywood Story'' aired a feature on Page entitled, ''Bettie Page: From Pinup to Sex Queen''. <ref> http://www.tv.com/e!-true-hollywood-story/bettie-page-from-pinup-to-sex-queen/episode/215589/summary.html </ref> 
In the mid 1990s, ''Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'' did an episode on Page, as for ''Entertainment Tonight''. Bettie, who was living in a group home in Los Angeles, was surpirsed when she saw the episode on Entertainment Tonight, having no knowledge she was famous again. Bettie did a interview with her editor Greg Theakston for "The Betty Page Annuals"
Right after, Page signed with agent James Swanson. After not recieving royalties from Swanson, she fired him 3 years later. Then soon signed with Curtis Management Group, whom represented the James Dean and [[Marilyn Monroe]] estates. Soon then began collecting royalties for her financial future.  


Some of Page's short films have been reissued on DVD, such as ''Bettie Page: Varietease/Teaserama'' <ref> http://www.amazon.com/Bettie-Page-Varietease-Teaserama/dp/B000E1OI58/ref=pd_bbs_3/002-7729325-8572025?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1187413547&sr=1-3 </ref> as well as a collection of five shorts called ''Betty Page In Bondage''. <ref> http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Page-Bondage/dp/B00005A1T5/ref=sr_1_4/002-7729325-8572025?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1187413547&sr=1-4 </ref>
There have been serveral comic books based on Bettie or her likings. One from Jim Silke based on Bettie. Dark Horse Comics published a comic on fictional advertures about her. Eros Comics made a number of Bettie Page titles. One popluar comic was "Tor Love Bettie" a tongue-in-cheek with suggested a romance between Bettie and wrestler turned actor Tor Johnson.


A biographical movie, ''The Notorious Bettie Page'', was released in 2005 and shown in theaters in [[2006]], and is based on the story of Bettie Page from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s.  It stars actress Gretchen Mol as the adult Page.
Some short films of Bettie have been reissued on DVD, as well five shorts called ''Betty Page in Bondage''. A biographical movie, ''The Notorious Bettie Page'', was released in 2005 and shown in theaters in 2006, based on the story of Bettie Page who is played by actress Gretchen Mol. In 2006 Bettie Page and Halo Guitars agreed to produce a limited edition of custom guitars. 100 hand-made guitars by Waylon Ford, painted by the artist Pamelina H., and signed by Bettie Page. <ref> http://www.haloguitars.com/bettie.html </ref>
<!--Numerous musicians have also written songs with a Bettie Page theme, including Paul Spencer, Bile (band)|Bile, Royal Crown Revue, The Creepshow and Buzz Campell.
<!-- <ref>Bettie Page is referenced on the following musical tracks:
* Bile (2000). ''Sex Reflex'', 2nd track: "Bettie Page" with a chorus that makes reference to the notoriously dark hair of Miss Page.
* Buzz Campell. [http://www.hotrodlincoln.net/songpage.cfm?songID=13 ''Runaway girl''], 13th track: Betty Page.
* Paul Spencer. ''The Whole Shebang'', 3rd track: "Bettie Page" pays tribute to Page's notorious risque photographs.
* Royal Crown Revue (1998). ''The Contender'', 11th track: "Port-Au-Prince (Travels With Bettie Page)", references her life in Haiti before she found fame.
* The Creepshow (2006), ''Sell Your Soul'', 11th track: "Psycho Ball And Chain" feature the lyric "She's a horrorbilly Bettie Page in the flesh".</ref>
Getting this out of the way until I have time to fix it.  ~~~~  -->
 
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Bettieguitar.jpg‎ ‎|thumb|212px|right|Bettie Page Guitar by [[Halo Guitars]]]] -->
In 2006 Bettie Page and Halo Guitars collaborated to produce a limited edition of custom guitars,  released at the 2007 Winter NAMM show in southern California. The total run of one hundred guitars were hand-made by luthier Waylon Ford, painted by the artist Pamelina H., and signed by Bettie Page. <ref> http://www.haloguitars.com/bettie.html </ref>


== The years out of the spotlight ==
== The years out of the spotlight ==
This renewed attention raised the inevitable question: What had happened to Bettie Page since the late 1950s? The 1990s edition of the popular ''[[The Book of Lists|Book of Lists]]'' <ref>{{cite book |last = Wallechinsky |first = David |coauthors = Amy Wallace |authorlink = David Wallechinsky |title = The People's Almanac Presents the Book of Lists - the '90s Edition |publisher = Little Brown & Co |year = 1993 |isbn = 978-0316920797 }}</ref> included Page in a list of once-famous celebrities who had seemingly vanished from the public eye. On [[New Year's Eve]] 1958, during one of her regular visits to [[Key West|Key West, Florida]], Page attended a service at what is now The Key West Temple Baptist Church. She found herself drawn to the mixed race environment and started to attend on a regular basis. She would in time attend three bible colleges, including the [[Bible Institute of Los Angeles]], [[Multnomah School of the Bible]] and, briefly, a Christian retreat known as "Bibletown", part of the Boca Raton Community Church, [[Boca Raton|Boca Raton, Florida]]. During the 1960s she attempted to become a Christian missionary in Africa but was rejected for having had a divorce.
Since the revival of Bettie Page. Many have ask what happened to her since the last 1950s? The 1990s edition of ''Book of Lists'' <ref>{{cite book |last = Wallechinsky |first = David |coauthors = Amy Wallace | |title = The People's Almanac Presents the Book of Lists - the '90s Edition |publisher = Little Brown & Co |year = 1993 |isbn = 978-0316920797 }}</ref> had Bettie in a list of once famous celebrities who had vanished from the public. New Year's Eve of 1958, she attended a service at The Key West Temple Baptist Church, while on one of her regular visits to Key West. Which she started to attend there regularly. Then she would attend 3 bible colleges, the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Multnomah School of the Bible and a Christian retreat known as "Bibletown" for a brief time in Boca Raton, La. She attemped to become a Christan missionary in Africa, but reject due to her divorces.
 
The question of what Page did in the obscure years after modeling was answered in part with the publication of an official biography in 1996, ''Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-up Legend.''<ref>{{cite book |last = Essex |first = Karen |coauthors = James L. Swanson |title = Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-Up Legend |year = 1996 |publisher = General Publishing Group |location = Los Angeles |isbn = 1-881649-62-8 }}</ref> Her biography described a woman who dealt head-on with adversity, always looking forward, never looking back. It told how she had remarried her first husband in order to become a missionary; neither the remarriage nor her missionary work were successful. She married a third time in 1967 to a man named Harry Lear in Florida, divorcing him in 1972. At the time of her celebrity revival, Page was living an impoverished life in [[California]], unaware of the public's renewed interest.  


Another biography, ''The Real Bettie Page: The Truth about the Queen of Pinups'' <ref>{{cite book |last = Foster |first = Richard |title = The Real Bettie Page: The Truth About the Queen of the Pinups |year = 1997 |publisher = Carol Publishing Group/Birch Lane Press |isbn = 1-55972-432-3 }}</ref> written by Richard Foster and published in 1997, told a less happy tale. It detailed numerous accounts of violence on her part against her third husband, her two step-children and others. It revealed several stays in [[mental institution]]s, the last being [[Patton State Hospital]] in Highland, California from 1983 to 1992. It also furnished information that Page had still not received all of the money due to her since her rediscovery.
What Bettie did in her time of obscurity was answered in the official biography in 1996, ''Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-up Legend.''<ref>{{cite book |last = Essex |first = Karen |coauthors = James L. Swanson |title = Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-Up Legend |year = 1996 |publisher = General Publishing Group |location = Los Angeles |isbn = 1-881649-62-8 }}</ref> It described how she tried to remarry her first husband, so she can become a missionary. Neither of them were successful. She did however marry for a third time in 1967, a man named Harry Lear, but divorcing him in 1972. At the time of the revival, she was unaware of people's interest in her from her modeling days.


Foster's book immediately provoked attacks from her fans, including [[Hugh Hefner|Hugh Hefner]] and Harlan Ellison, as well as a statement from Page that it was “full of lies”. However, Steve Brewster, founder of the Bettie Scouts of America fan club, has stated that it is not as unsympathetic as the book's reputation makes it to be. Brewster adds that he also read the chapter about her business dealings with Swanson, and stated that Page was pleased with that part of her story.
Another biography written by Richard Foster and released in 1997, ''The Real Bettie Page: The Truth about the Queen of Pinups'' <ref>{{cite book |last = Foster |first = Richard |title = The Real Bettie Page: The Truth About the Queen of the Pinups |year = 1997 |publisher = Carol Publishing Group/Birch Lane Press |isbn = 1-55972-432-3 }}</ref> told a less happy tale. Detailing a number of violence on her third husband, 2 step-children and other people. Revealed she stayed in several mental institutions. The last one being Patton State Hospital in Highland, California from 1983 to 1992. It said she hasn't received all of her money due to her revival. The biography Foster wrote was threaten with attacks from fans including Hugh Hufner. As well as statement from Bettie, stating it was a lie. The founder of the Bettie Scouts of America, Steve Brewster, stated that the book's reputation is not all sympathic for Bettie. The chapter about Bettie's business deas with Swanson was well accepted with Bettie.  


In a late-1990s interview, Page stated she would not allow any current pictures of her to be shown because of concerns about her weight. In 2003, however, she changed her mind and allowed a publicity picture to be taken of her for the August 2003 edition of ''[[Playboy]]''. In 2006, the ''Los Angeles Times'' ran an article headlined ''A Golden Age for a Pinup'', covering an autographing session at her current publicity company, CMG Worldwide. Once again, she declined to be photographed, saying that she would rather be remembered as she was.
A interview with Bettie in the late 1990's, she wouldn't allow any picture of her current state be showen for concerns about her weight. In 2003, she changed her mind and allowed a picture be taken of her for the August 2003 edition of [[Playboy]]. The Los Angeles Times ran an article in 2006, headlined ''A Golden Age for a Pinup''. Covering a autographing session with Bettie with publicity company CMG Worldwide. Bettie granted a exclusive TV interview to reported Tim Estiloz in 1996 on the short lived morning program on NBC, "Real Life". In the interview, it featured her voice talking about her career and many memories about her personal life. It as also featured photos from Bettie's own personal collection. Her request was to not have her face showen in the interview.


In 1996, Bettie Page did grant an exclusive one-on-one TV interview to entertainment reporter Tim Estiloz for a short-lived NBC morning magazine program ''Real Life''.  The interview was granted as part of Page's participation in publicizing her biography, ''Bettie Page: The Life Of A Pin-Up Legend''. The interview featured her voice reminiscing about her career and relating many insightful anecdotes about her personal life, as well as photos from Bettie's own personal collection.  At Page's request, her face was not shown during the interview. The video of the interview was broadcast only once, but recently resurfaced on YouTube under the title, "REAL Bettie Page TV Interview: Her Life In Her OWN Words". [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Ynlp7sxZs] 
== Death ==
Bettie passed away on [[December 11]], [[2008]] due to taken off life support from a heart attack 6 days before, when not regaining consciousness. She was hospitalized for three weeks with pneumonia.<ref name="yahoo"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
*''[[Striporama]] (1953)
[[Image:bpage9.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Classic Bettie Page]]
*''[[Teaserama]] (1955)
*''Teaser Girl in High Heels'' (1950)
*''[[Varietease]] (1954)
*''Striporama (1953)
*''[[Irving Klaw Bondage Classics, Volume I]]''
*''Teaserama (1955)
*''[[Irving Klaw Bondage Classics, Volume II]]''
*''Varietease (1954)
*''[[Bettie Page: Pin Up Queen]]'' (Cult Epics, 2005)
*''E! True Hollywood Story''  (1 episode, 1998)
*''[[Bettie Page: Bondage Queen]]'' (Cult Epics, 2005)
*''[[Playboy]]: Playmate Pajama Party'' (1999) (V)
*''Dance of Passion'' (2001)
*''Bettie Page: Pin Up Queen'' (Cult Epics, 2005)
*''Bettie Page: Bondage Queen'' (Cult Epics, 2005)


==Film biopics==
=== Archive Footage ===
*2004 - ''[[Bettie Page: Dark Angel]]''
*''Irving Klaw Bondage Classics, Volume I''
*2006 - ''[[The Notorious Bettie Page]]''
*''Irving Klaw Bondage Classics, Volume II''
*2004 - ''Striptease: The Greatest Exotic Dancers of All Time''
*2004 - ''Taboo: The Beginning of Erotic Cinema''
*2004 - ''Bettie Page: The Girl in the Leopard Print Bikini''  
*2003 - ''[[Playboy]]'s 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003)
*1998 - ''Betty Page: Bondage Queen''
*1991 - ''Hyperdelic E-Mission''(uncredited)


==In Pop Culture==
== Big tit movies / pictures of {{PAGENAME}} ==
*In one of his numerous fictional back-page biographical sketches, Harlan Ellison claimed to be "writing a biography of Bettie Page for young adults".
* {{playboyplus}}
*Alternative country band [[BR5-49]] recorded an ode to Page named "Bettie, Bettie" on their 1996 debut EP ''Live From Robert's''.
* {{mrskin|01110/Bettie_Page.htm}}
*Indie rocker Paul Spencer wrote a song entitled "Bettie Page", which appears on his 2005 debut album ''The Whole Shebang''. The song includes the lyric ''"Locks the world in a cage, she's kinky like Bettie Page''", paying tribute to Page's notorious risqué photographs.


== References and further reading ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.bettiepage.com Official Site of Bettie Page]
* [http://www.bigboobshangout.com/alphabetical/bettie-page/bettie-page.html Bettie Page] at Big Boobs Hangout
* {{playmate|1955|1}}
* [http://www.fullyarticulated.com/Bettie2.html Who Is the Real Bettie Page?]
* [http://www.fullyarticulated.com/Bettie2.html Who Is the Real Bettie Page?]
* [http://www.grrl.com/betty.html The Bettie Page - Grrl.com Gallery and News]
* [http://www.grrl.com/betty.html The Bettie Page - Grrl.com Gallery and News]
Line 88: Line 122:
* [http://thebettiepage.com thebettiepage.com - Web guide to Bettie Page]
* [http://thebettiepage.com thebettiepage.com - Web guide to Bettie Page]
* [http://www.ctv.es/USERS/fjvidal/ARCHIVES.HTM Betty Photos]
* [http://www.ctv.es/USERS/fjvidal/ARCHIVES.HTM Betty Photos]
* [http://www.rbeditions.com/ViewPage.asp?id=76 The Bettie Page Collection] (Paintings)
* [http://bettieville.com/bp/bettie.shtml Dave's Bettie Page Page - a Tribute and Guide]
* [http://bettieville.com/bp/bettie.shtml Dave's Bettie Page Page - a Tribute and Guide]
* [http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm Cult Sirens: Bettie Page]
* [http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm Cult Sirens: Bettie Page]
Line 94: Line 127:
* [http://www.playboy.com/arts-entertainment/features/bettiepage/interview/index.html Playboy interview (January 1998) My Story: The Missing Years]
* [http://www.playboy.com/arts-entertainment/features/bettiepage/interview/index.html Playboy interview (January 1998) My Story: The Missing Years]
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5338552 Audio interview with ''The Notorious Bettie Page'' director Mary Harron] from ''Fresh Air'' program, April 12, 2006
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5338552 Audio interview with ''The Notorious Bettie Page'' director Mary Harron] from ''Fresh Air'' program, April 12, 2006
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Ynlp7sxZs  1996 Bettie Page TV Interview - Her Life In Her Own Words ]with entertainment reporter Tim Estiloz
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Ynlp7sxZs  1996 Bettie Page TV Interview - Her Life In Her Own Words] with entertainment reporter Tim Estiloz
{{playmates of 1955}}
* [http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-page12-2008dec12,0,5310709.story  Bettie Page dies at 85; pinup queen played a key role in the sexual revolution of the 1960s and later became a cult figure] Los Angeles Times, December 11, 2008
{{GFDL2|Bettie_Page|Bettie Page)}}
* [https://www.deviantart.com/therealzimmerman/gallery/30641965/Bettie-Page {{PAGENAME}} Art by Julius Zimmerman]
* {{playboywiki}}
* {{freeones}}
* {{babepedia}}
* {{ogglebooble|1729}}
 
{{clearall}}
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
 
{{gfdl}}
{{1955 playmates}}
 
[[Category:Burlesque performers]]
[[Category:Fetish models]]
[[Category: Pin-up models]]
[[Category: Active in 1940s]]
[[Category: Active in 1950s]]
[[Category:Bondage models]]
[[Category:Glamour models]]
[[Category:Hourglass]]
[[Category:Playboy models]]
[[Category:Playboy Playmates]]
[[Category:Slim with large natural breasts]]
[[Category:Nude models]]
[[Category:White]]

Latest revision as of 02:05, 20 January 2022

Bettie Page

Bettie Page
Personal
Also known as Betty Page
Born April 22, 1923(1923-04-22)[1][2]
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Died December 11, 2008 (aged 85)[3][4]
Los Angeles, California, USA
Ethnicity Caucasian
Nationality American
Body
Measurements 36-23-35[1]
Bra/cup size 36C (80C) [5]
Boobs Natural
Height 5 ft 5.5 in (1.66 m)[1][2]
Weight 128 lb (58 kg)[1]
Body type Slim
Eye color Grey
Hair Black
Medium, Straight
Pubic hair Full
Performances
Playboy Playmate January 1955
Shown Topless, Bush, Full frontal
Official website  Official website
Facebook  Facebook
  Instagram
  X
Databases
  IMDb    IAFD    AFDB  
Newpaper clip indicating Bettie Page named "Number One Pin-up Girl in the World" from the Vidette-Messenger in Valparaiso, Indiana

Bettie Mae Page (born April 22, 1923 in Nashville, Tennessee, - December 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American burlesque performer, pin-up model, and fetish model who became famous in the 1950s. She faded into obscurity in the 1960s, she experienced a cult following in the 1980s.

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Early life

Bettie Page was born in Nashville, Tennessee, as a second child in her family.[6] When she was younger, she moved around the country with her family for steady money.[6] Having responsibilities of taking care of her younger siblings, her parents divorced when she was at the age of 10. After the divorce, she lived in a orphanage with her sister for a year. During her teenage years, Bettie and her sisters tried to imitate their favorite acters, by tring different makeup and hair styles, and also learning to sew. Her skills would become useful for her photography shoots. By doing her own makeup, hair and costumes.

Bettie received a trust fund of $10,000 when graduating from high school, [6] and enrolling at George Peabody College in hopes of becoming a teacher. She began studying acting the fall after to become an actor. During that time she began her first job typing for author Alfred Leland Crab. She graduted with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Peabody. The year before she married Billy Neal, before he left for World War II. In the next few years, Bettie traveled to San Francisco, Nashville, Miami, and to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.[6] Bettie filed for divorce from Neal in November 1947.

Modeling career

Bettie worked in San Fransisco and Haiti after the divorce. She moved to New York City with the hopes of being an actress. She worked as a secretary in the meantime. In 1950, while walking on Coney Island, Bettie met Jerry Tibbs, whom took photos of her and put together her first pin-up portfolio.

Men formed camera clubs in the last 1940's, due to result of legal restrictions on nude phots. The clubs were to promote artistic photography. When Bettie started glamour photography, she did as a popular camera club model and working with photographer Cass Carr.[6] She was known in the photography industry and in 1951 her photos were in men's magazines such as Wink, Titter, Eyefull and Beauty Parade.[6] She also posed for Irving Klaw, whom ran a mail-order photography with pin-up, Bondage and sado-masochistic themes. Which made Bettie the first famous fetish model.

Working with Herbert Berghoff in 1953, Bettie had roles in New York stage productions, and made several television appearances as well. Her off-Broadway productions included Time is a Thief and Sunday Costs Five Pesos. She also appeared in the Jackie Gleason show.[6] But Bettie's love was pin-up modeling, during one of her annual visits to Miami, Florida, Page met photographers Jan Caldwell, H. W. Hannau and Bunny Yeager in 1954.[6] At that time Page was the top pin-up model in New York, and Yeager a former model and known photographer. Yeager signed Bettie for a photo session at the African wildlife park, Africa U.S.A. Park in Boca Raton, Florida. The Jungle Bettie photographs from this shoot are among her most celebrated. The photos include nude shots with a pair of cheetahs named Mojah and Mbili. The leopard skin patterned Jungle Girl outfit was made by herself.

After Bunny Yeager sent shots of Bettie to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, whom featured Page as the January 1955 Playmate of the Month, the centerfold model for the two-year-old Playboy magazine. In 1955, Bettie won the title "Miss Pinup Girl of the World."[6]

While pin up models had careers measured in months, Page was in demand for some years, continuing to model until 1957. Thought she posed nude, she never appeared in scenes with explicit sexual content. The reasons for her departure from pin-up, glamour, and fetish modeling vary. Some reports mention the Estes Kefauver Hearings of the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency, which ended Irving Klaw's bondage and S&M mail-order photography business. In fact, the United States Congress called her to testify to explain the photos in which she appeared. While she was excused from appearing before the committee, the print negatives of her photos were destroyed by court order. Years after, the negatives that survived were illegal to print. [2]

The reason for ending her modeling career due to converting to Christianity while in Florida in 1957. The last known facts about her life, was the divorce from Armond Walterson in the early 1960's and working for a Christian organization. She worked briefly as a missionary and as a religious seminary.[2]

The Bettie Page revival

Bettie Page bondage photo

A mixture of photos from the 1950s was published by the Eros Publishing Co, titled A Nostalgic Look at Bettie Page. From 1978 to 1980, 4 volumes of Betty Page: Private Peeks where made by Belier Press, which contained pictures from the private camera club sessions, reprinting camera club photos and a old cat fight photo shoot in 1983. Which has a small cult following when introduced.[7] London Enterprises released In Praise of Bettie Page - A Nostalgic Collector's Item, [8]

Comic book talent Dave Stevens based the love interest of his hero Cliff Secord ("The Rocketeer") on Bettie Page. In 1987, Greg Theakston started a fanzine called The Betty Pages [9] and recounted tales of her life of the camera club photoshoots. In the next 7 years, the magazone started a world-wide interest in Bettie Page's modeling. Women would dyed their hair black and cut it into bangs in an attempt to loo like the "Dark Angel". The media caught on with the Bettie revival and wrote a number of articles about her.

In the mid 1990s, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous did an episode on Page, as for Entertainment Tonight. Bettie, who was living in a group home in Los Angeles, was surpirsed when she saw the episode on Entertainment Tonight, having no knowledge she was famous again. Bettie did a interview with her editor Greg Theakston for "The Betty Page Annuals" Right after, Page signed with agent James Swanson. After not recieving royalties from Swanson, she fired him 3 years later. Then soon signed with Curtis Management Group, whom represented the James Dean and Marilyn Monroe estates. Soon then began collecting royalties for her financial future.

There have been serveral comic books based on Bettie or her likings. One from Jim Silke based on Bettie. Dark Horse Comics published a comic on fictional advertures about her. Eros Comics made a number of Bettie Page titles. One popluar comic was "Tor Love Bettie" a tongue-in-cheek with suggested a romance between Bettie and wrestler turned actor Tor Johnson.

Some short films of Bettie have been reissued on DVD, as well five shorts called Betty Page in Bondage. A biographical movie, The Notorious Bettie Page, was released in 2005 and shown in theaters in 2006, based on the story of Bettie Page who is played by actress Gretchen Mol. In 2006 Bettie Page and Halo Guitars agreed to produce a limited edition of custom guitars. 100 hand-made guitars by Waylon Ford, painted by the artist Pamelina H., and signed by Bettie Page. [10]

The years out of the spotlight

Since the revival of Bettie Page. Many have ask what happened to her since the last 1950s? The 1990s edition of Book of Lists [11] had Bettie in a list of once famous celebrities who had vanished from the public. New Year's Eve of 1958, she attended a service at The Key West Temple Baptist Church, while on one of her regular visits to Key West. Which she started to attend there regularly. Then she would attend 3 bible colleges, the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Multnomah School of the Bible and a Christian retreat known as "Bibletown" for a brief time in Boca Raton, La. She attemped to become a Christan missionary in Africa, but reject due to her divorces.

What Bettie did in her time of obscurity was answered in the official biography in 1996, Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-up Legend.[12] It described how she tried to remarry her first husband, so she can become a missionary. Neither of them were successful. She did however marry for a third time in 1967, a man named Harry Lear, but divorcing him in 1972. At the time of the revival, she was unaware of people's interest in her from her modeling days.

Another biography written by Richard Foster and released in 1997, The Real Bettie Page: The Truth about the Queen of Pinups [13] told a less happy tale. Detailing a number of violence on her third husband, 2 step-children and other people. Revealed she stayed in several mental institutions. The last one being Patton State Hospital in Highland, California from 1983 to 1992. It said she hasn't received all of her money due to her revival. The biography Foster wrote was threaten with attacks from fans including Hugh Hufner. As well as statement from Bettie, stating it was a lie. The founder of the Bettie Scouts of America, Steve Brewster, stated that the book's reputation is not all sympathic for Bettie. The chapter about Bettie's business deas with Swanson was well accepted with Bettie.

A interview with Bettie in the late 1990's, she wouldn't allow any picture of her current state be showen for concerns about her weight. In 2003, she changed her mind and allowed a picture be taken of her for the August 2003 edition of Playboy. The Los Angeles Times ran an article in 2006, headlined A Golden Age for a Pinup. Covering a autographing session with Bettie with publicity company CMG Worldwide. Bettie granted a exclusive TV interview to reported Tim Estiloz in 1996 on the short lived morning program on NBC, "Real Life". In the interview, it featured her voice talking about her career and many memories about her personal life. It as also featured photos from Bettie's own personal collection. Her request was to not have her face showen in the interview.

Death

Bettie passed away on December 11, 2008 due to taken off life support from a heart attack 6 days before, when not regaining consciousness. She was hospitalized for three weeks with pneumonia.[3]

Filmography

Classic Bettie Page
  • Teaser Girl in High Heels (1950)
  • Striporama (1953)
  • Teaserama (1955)
  • Varietease (1954)
  • E! True Hollywood Story (1 episode, 1998)
  • Playboy: Playmate Pajama Party (1999) (V)
  • Dance of Passion (2001)
  • Bettie Page: Pin Up Queen (Cult Epics, 2005)
  • Bettie Page: Bondage Queen (Cult Epics, 2005)

Archive Footage

  • Irving Klaw Bondage Classics, Volume I
  • Irving Klaw Bondage Classics, Volume II
  • 2004 - Striptease: The Greatest Exotic Dancers of All Time
  • 2004 - Taboo: The Beginning of Erotic Cinema
  • 2004 - Bettie Page: The Girl in the Leopard Print Bikini
  • 2003 - Playboy's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003)
  • 1998 - Betty Page: Bondage Queen
  • 1991 - Hyperdelic E-Mission(uncredited)

Big tit movies / pictures of Bettie Page

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Facts on Official Website (dead link)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Internet Movie Database: Bettie Page
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bob Thomas (December 11, 2008). 1950s pinup model Bettie Page dies in LA at 85. Yahoo News. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.
  4. ↑ Bettie Page Memorial in Official Website
  5. ↑ http://ma.playboyplus.com/girls/1008/bettie-page/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Official website biography Accessed April 4, 2007.
  7. ↑ http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm
  8. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Nostalgic-Look-Bettie-Page-Number/dp/B000UGFZD6/
  9. ↑ http://www.cultsirens.com/page/page.htm
  10. ↑ http://www.haloguitars.com/bettie.html
  11. ↑ Wallechinsky, David; Amy Wallace (1993). The People's Almanac Presents the Book of Lists - the '90s Edition. Little Brown & Co. ISBN 978-0316920797. 
  12. ↑ Essex, Karen; James L. Swanson (1996). Bettie Page: The Life of a Pin-Up Legend. Los Angeles: General Publishing Group. ISBN 1-881649-62-8. 
  13. ↑ Foster, Richard (1997). The Real Bettie Page: The Truth About the Queen of the Pinups. Carol Publishing Group/Birch Lane Press. ISBN 1-55972-432-3. 


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  Playboy Playmates of 1955
Bettie Page Jayne Mansfield Marilyn Waltz Marguerite Empey Eve Meyer
Janet Pilgrim Pat Lawler Anne Fleming Jean Moorehead Barbara Cameron Janet Pilgrim
1953 · 1954 · 1955 · 1956 · 1957 · 1958
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