Jazz Age Beauties: The Lost Collection of Ziegfeld Photographer Alfred Cheney Johnston is a beautifully photographed book with text by Robert Hudovernik. While the photography here is central and tied to the history of theater through Ziegfeld’s own remarkable legacy, readers are able to learn more about some of the many showgirls depicted. While many have been identified, some are far more recognizable than others and went on to noteworthy film and theater careers. In other cases, the identities and stories remain a mystery.
To me, this book shines in its ability to spotlight the stories of lesser-known showgirls. I found myself constantly learning new information about the many tragic and triumphant lives of these showgirls, their stories no longer quietly committed to this once-lost collection of photographs.
Hometowns to Hollywood 